The core right-of-way rules are: on opposite tacks, port keeps clear of starboard (rule 10); on the same tack and overlapped, windward keeps clear (rule 11); not overlapped, the boat clear astern keeps clear (rule 12); and a tacking boat keeps clear (rule 13).
The Racing Rules of Sailing, published by World Sailing and revised every four years, govern boats racing against each other. Part 2 contains the rules for when boats meet.
Right-of-way rules:
- Rule 10, opposite tacks: a port-tack boat keeps clear of a starboard-tack boat.
- Rule 11, same tack, overlapped: the windward boat keeps clear of the leeward boat. Boats are overlapped when neither is clear astern of the other.
- Rule 12, same tack, not overlapped: a boat clear astern keeps clear of a boat clear ahead.
- Rule 13, while tacking: after a boat passes head to wind, she keeps clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course.
Limits on the right-of-way boat:
- Rule 14: every boat must avoid contact if reasonably possible, including the right-of-way boat once it is clear the other is not keeping clear.
- Rule 15: a boat that gains right of way, for example by tacking onto starboard, must at first give the other boat room to keep clear.
- Rule 16: a right-of-way boat that changes course must give the other boat room to keep clear.
At marks and obstructions, rules 18 and 19 give boats on the inside room to round the mark or pass the obstruction.
Other basics: touching a mark is not allowed (rule 31), and you must sail the course, leaving each mark on the required side. A boat that breaks a rule can take a penalty turn (rule 44). If there is a dispute, a boat can protest by hailing "Protest" at the first reasonable opportunity, and, if her hull is 6 metres or more long, displaying a red flag (rule 61). The protest is then decided at a hearing ashore.
The racing rules apply between boats that are racing, or are in the racing area intending to race, even if they are in different races. Towards other vessels, the collision regulations still apply, and a race gives you no special rights over a ferry or a ship.
More in the book: Chapter 15, Your first race