Hobie Cat 18 User Manual page 42

Part 2 - When Boats Meet
The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to race, are racing, or have been
racing. However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 22.1. The International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or government right-of-way rules apply between a boat sailing under these rules and
a vessel that is not, and they replace these rules if the sailing instructions so state.
Section A - Right of Way
A boat has right of way when another boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B and C limit the
actions of a right-of-way boat.
10 On Opposite Tacks
When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.
11 On the Same Tack, Overlapped
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
12 On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped
When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
13 While Tacking
After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time
rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the others port side shall
keep clear.
Section B - General Limitations
14 Avoiding Contact
A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to room
(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room, and
(b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that causes damage.
15 Acquiring Right of Way
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear, unless she acquires right of way
because of the other boat's actions.
16 Changing Course
16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
16.2 In addition, when after the starting signal boats are about to cross or are crossing each other on opposite tacks, and the
port-tack boat is keeping clear of a the starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course if as a result the
port-tack boat would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear.
17 On the Same Tack; Proper Course
17.1 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 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
keep clear.
17.2 Except on a beat to windward, while a boat is less than two of her hull lengths from a leeward boat or a boat clear
astern steering a course to leeward of her, she shall not sail below her proper course unless she gybes.
Hobie University, NAHCA
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31 Mar 02