by Chuck Luscomb » Tue Nov 27, 2007 4:27 am
I guess the way I read this is that by simply taking advantage of an opening, however large, you do not break any rule as stated below under appeal 5.
If, however, the amount of that "room" at the mark is such that the ROW boat could if she wanted, make an defending manuver that <i>could</i> make contact with the clear astern boat, then a protest should be forth coming.
If the ROW boat is not able to make a defending manuver becuase she is out of reach of the clear astern boat, then I would disagree with the ROW boats hail claiming "no room" or "no rights".
I guess I have trouble with a ROW boats claim to the inside if they are not in a position to defend it.
Chuck
#84
<i>Rule 18.2c
"US Sailing Appeal 5 is clear: "When a boat voluntarily or unintentionally makes room available to another boat that, under the rules, has no right to that room and makes no claim to it, that other boat may take advantage, at her own risk, of the room so given. In that case, she breaks no rule."</i>