Seamanlike and Tactical Mark Roundings
Categories:
Skipper’s Corner | Tactics
by Dave Acree
Now we have new 1997/2000 ISAF Racing Rules, I thought it would be a good idea if we go over a few new changes. In the upcoming months, expect to see some articles on these new rules; this article being the first. As with anything new, it would be a good idea to read the new rules several times to get a good understanding. For this article, we'll take a look at Rule 18.2(a) on giving room and keeping clear around marks. First the rule:
Rule 18.2 GIVING ROOM; KEEPING CLEAR
(a) When boats are overlapped before one of them reaches the two-length zone, if the outside boat has the right-of-way, she shall give the inside boat room to pass the mark or obstruction, or if the inside boat has right-of-way the outside boat shall keep clear. If they are still overlapped when one of them reaches the two-length zone, the outside boat's obligation continues even if the overlap is broken later. This rule does not apply if the outside boat is unable to give room when the overlap begins.
What does this rule mean? First, to get a better understanding of terms, let's take a look at the ISAF's definitions of 'room', 'right-of-way' and 'overlap'. Room - the space a boat needs in the existing conditions while maneuvering promptly in a seamanlike way. Right-of-way - a boat has right of way when another boat is required to keep clear of her. Overlapped, On the Same Tack - when boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
To add more understanding on an overlap, here is a definition on how an overlap occurs. Leeward and Windward - a boat's leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies. The other side is her windward side. When two boats on the same tack overlap, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward boat. The other is the windward boat. With these definitions, Rule 18.2(a) stresses what is required for rounding a mark or obstruction correctly.
The important point of this rule which will effect your mark roundings, is which boat is leeward. If you are the outside boat and leeward, you need only give the inside boat the minimum amount of room to make a 'seamanlike' rounding, This means giving equal space around the mark throughout your turn around the mark.
On the other hand, if the inside boat is the leeward boat, it has the right to make a 'tactical' rounding. This tactical rounding is done by delaying its turn so as to leave the rounding close to the mark because that is its proper course.
It is important to know which boat, the outside or inside, is leeward when going around a mark. If you are the outside leeward boat, you are only required as stated in the rule, to give the inside boat the minimum amount of room to round a mark and stay clear of her.
If you are the inside boat and leeward, you can delay your rounding which is your proper course and make it your advantage. Here you are leeward, and it is your proper course to round wide and cut close.
Hope this overview well help you in understanding the logic of overlapped mark roundings. Again if you have any questions, read the rules. It will make you a better sailor and keep you out of trouble!
Now we have new 1997/2000 ISAF Racing Rules, I thought it would be a good idea if we go over a few new changes. In the upcoming months, expect to see some articles on these new rules; this article being the first. As with anything new, it would be a good idea to read the new rules several times to get a good understanding. For this article, we'll take a look at Rule 18.2(a) on giving room and keeping clear around marks. First the rule:
Rule 18.2 GIVING ROOM; KEEPING CLEAR
(a) When boats are overlapped before one of them reaches the two-length zone, if the outside boat has the right-of-way, she shall give the inside boat room to pass the mark or obstruction, or if the inside boat has right-of-way the outside boat shall keep clear. If they are still overlapped when one of them reaches the two-length zone, the outside boat's obligation continues even if the overlap is broken later. This rule does not apply if the outside boat is unable to give room when the overlap begins.
What does this rule mean? First, to get a better understanding of terms, let's take a look at the ISAF's definitions of 'room', 'right-of-way' and 'overlap'. Room - the space a boat needs in the existing conditions while maneuvering promptly in a seamanlike way. Right-of-way - a boat has right of way when another boat is required to keep clear of her. Overlapped, On the Same Tack - when boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
To add more understanding on an overlap, here is a definition on how an overlap occurs. Leeward and Windward - a boat's leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies. The other side is her windward side. When two boats on the same tack overlap, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward boat. The other is the windward boat. With these definitions, Rule 18.2(a) stresses what is required for rounding a mark or obstruction correctly.
The important point of this rule which will effect your mark roundings, is which boat is leeward. If you are the outside boat and leeward, you need only give the inside boat the minimum amount of room to make a 'seamanlike' rounding, This means giving equal space around the mark throughout your turn around the mark.
On the other hand, if the inside boat is the leeward boat, it has the right to make a 'tactical' rounding. This tactical rounding is done by delaying its turn so as to leave the rounding close to the mark because that is its proper course.
It is important to know which boat, the outside or inside, is leeward when going around a mark. If you are the outside leeward boat, you are only required as stated in the rule, to give the inside boat the minimum amount of room to round a mark and stay clear of her.
If you are the inside boat and leeward, you can delay your rounding which is your proper course and make it your advantage. Here you are leeward, and it is your proper course to round wide and cut close.
Hope this overview well help you in understanding the logic of overlapped mark roundings. Again if you have any questions, read the rules. It will make you a better sailor and keep you out of trouble!