Another Rule 18.3 Question

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Another Rule 18.3 Question

Postby tag1945 » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:23 am

I have received several requests for an explanation of a video at this site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HxxIPLBE6q8#!

Here is my call:

Since the white completed her tack within the 4 boat circle, Rule 18.3 is turned on. White completed her tack to starboard clear ahead of red. Red, then overlapped white to leeward and Rule 18.3b required white provide mark room and to not prevent red from passing the mark. White did not or was unable to provide mark room because white tacked on the starboard lay-line and was close hauled!. White broke rule 18.3 by not providing Mark room to red. Red broke rule 14 and 15 when she overlapped white to leeward and contacted white. Rule 18.5 would exonerate red for breaking rule 15 and red’s contact with white broke rule 14, red would be exonerated because red was the ROW boat and there was no damage. If Red was forced into the mark, Red would also broke rule 31. Rule 18.5 does not exonerate a violation of rule 31! Rule 64.1c would exonerate red for contacting the mark in this situation. Our sailing instructions add the exoneration for hitting the mark in this situation.

This is the reason for Rule 18.3! White should have sailed pass the Starboard lay-line prior to tacking. As White tacked, she would slow and should have realized that the momentum of Red would allow Red to overlap her to leeward and rule 18.3b would require white to allow Red to pass the mark. Port tack boats at the weather mark looking for a Port rounding must realize that the rules are not in their favor!

If red was unable to pass the mark, rule 28 would still requires her to sail the proper course and that would mean that she would have to return and round the mark properly. Because white could complete her penalty turn and gain a significant advantage as red comes back to round the mark properly, Rule 44.1b would require white to retire.


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Re: Another Rule 18.3 Question

Postby Chuck Luscomb » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:58 am

Tom,

I agree with what you have written above but a little caveat would be that if Red was able to establish the overlap BEFORE white was fully sheeted in on her new tack, then Red would now have rights for room at the mark and white must allow room for Red to make a proper rounding. Since white had completed her tack before Red became overlapped to leeward, Red had no rights inside and no room and must keep clear of white which might have included ducking below the mark which is never a choice I see anyone make.

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Last edited by Chuck Luscomb on Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Another Rule 18.3 Question

Postby s vernon » Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:50 pm

no longer required
Last edited by s vernon on Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Another Rule 18.3 Question

Postby tag1945 » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:53 am

18.3 Tacking when Approaching a Mark
If two boats were approaching a mark on opposite tacks and one of them changes tack, and as a result is subject to rule 13 in the zone when the other is fetching the mark, rule 18.2 does not thereafter apply. The boat that changed tack
(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid her or prevent the other boat from passing the mark on the required side, and
(b) shall give MARK-ROOM if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her

In Chuck's scenario, where he suggests that White has not completed her tack, the only rule that applies is Rule 13 and white is required to keep clear. Rule 18 is not turned on until white has completed her tack. White fouled red by tacking too close and right on the lay line. If white had completed her tack clear ahead of red, they would both be on the same tack and Rule 18 is turned on and rule 18.3 now applies. If white completed her tack ahead of red on the Starboard lay line, Rule 18.3b applies and if Red does obtain an inside overlap, the fact that White cannot give her Mark-Room, does not mean she is exonerated from failing to provide Mark-Room. White should have sail past the lay line far enough to ensure that if Red could obtain an inside overlap, White would be able to provide the Mark-Room.

Chuck's description of this type of event "Coffin Corner" is just what happens because of the port tact boat belief they can pull this off. Rule 18.3 was included to convince a Port Tack boat that her chances are very slim and can cost the boat many places. Be on Starboard Lay Line for the weather mark! Don't screw over the Starboard tack boats!

In Rule 13, "A Close Hauled Course" refers to a compass course that the boat would sail if the boat's sails were close hauled. The actual position of the sails can be different.
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