This rule seems a little unclear, can you shed light?.
17 On the Same Tack; Proper Course
17.1 A boat that establishes a leeward overlap from clear astern within two of her hull lengths of a windward boat shall not sail above her proper course during that overlap while the boats are less than that distance apart, unless as a result she becomes clear astern. etc."
."- FROM THE EXPLANATION PROPER COURSE
"Under 17.1 (On the Same Tack; Proper Course), a proper course for L
may take account of any boat except a W she has overlapped to
leeward from clear astern
As I read it, 17.1 seems to say that L cannont ovetake and claim proper course and luff up while the overlap exists.
W holds steady course reaching toward the line on STB. Some argue that proper course controls and is anywhere L wants to go.
The keys being how far apart they are when overlap is established, and defining PROPER COURSE. Anyone able to help explain the explanation?
NOTE- before going further in this thread, please note:
Rule 17 has been totally changed. No sections. 2013-2016 complete rule follows:
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same
tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.
Tom Phillips
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