The Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) is building on its 2018 #FairSailing initiative to increase the level of rules knowledge and compliance. The initiative includes a Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) presentation for clubs and sailing schools to use, weekly rules scenarios articles, a rules quiz, streamlining the protest process, and incentives for club and individual participation.
In 2018, we covered the basics of the RRS. In 2019, we’ll address more complex scenarios with new articles and a second-level quiz. We’ll use material from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes, as well as the World Sailing Casebook. Thanks to Dave for granting permission to use his material!
We’ll publish the weekly ILYA rules scenarios articles here. You can also receive the weekly articles directly from the ILYA by subscribing to ILYA’s Scowlines.
Rules Scenarios #1 covers a combination of the rules of Part 2, Sections A and B. To review the basics of the rules, see the SailZing Part 2 Racing Rules category.
Scenario 1 – Wind Shift
Boats S (on starboard tack) and P (on port tack), both close-hauled, are converging on a beat. P will safely cross S. However, when they are less than two lengths apart, the wind veers (shifts to the right) ten degrees. S luffs (changes her course) in response to the wind shift such that P is unable to keep clear. There is minor contact with no damage or injury, and both boats protest. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 6)
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Scenario 2 – Tack in Front
P (on port tack) and S (on starboard tack) are beating to windward. P tacks into a position just in front of S. When P reaches a close-hauled course, she is a few feet clear ahead of S. S, who has not needed to change course prior to that moment to avoid P, immediately luffs above a close-hauled course, avoids contact and protests. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 7)
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Scenario 3 – Starting Line Luffing
A and B are approaching the starting line to start. B is a few feet clear astern of A and yelling “Up! Up! Up!” A holds her course. B then becomes overlapped to leeward of A and A immediately luffs (heads up) approximately 15 degrees and there is contact between the starboard bow of B and the port corner of A’s transom. There is no damage or injury. Both boats protest. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 12)
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Scenario 4 – Tacking
With 45 seconds to go before the starting signal, Boat P (on port tack), is approaching Boat S (on starboard tack) who is sitting nearly wayless on a close-hauled course with her sails luffing. P proceeds to luff and cross head to wind all in one motion, ending up to leeward of S. When on a parallel course with S, P stops her change of course, never filling her sails. S, despite having room to get steerageway and to keep clear, chooses to make no attempt to keep clear of P and 15 seconds later drifts down and makes contact (no damage or injury) with P. Both boats protest, S claiming that P had not completed her tack because she tacked from a reach and never filled her sails. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 13)
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