Comments on: RULES QUESTIONS http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/ Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:55:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Kristen Berry http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-156 Kristen Berry Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:26:49 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-156 Gerry, thanks again for you questions. You are asking things that I know many folks wonder about and I appreciate that. She can, and should do her turns as soon as possible. So if you foul another boat, or hit a mark of the course (that is part of the leg you are on - like a starting mark) then you do your turn right away. But, I am not sure what you would be required to do a 270 for? Can you clarify? Gerry, thanks again for you questions. You are asking things that I know many folks wonder about and I appreciate that. She can, and should do her turns as soon as possible. So if you foul another boat, or hit a mark of the course (that is part of the leg you are on – like a starting mark) then you do your turn right away.

But, I am not sure what you would be required to do a 270 for? Can you clarify?

]]> By: Arechiga http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-143 Arechiga Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:11:57 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-143 Question, if a boat incurs a penalty, 270 turn, 3 mins before the start, can she do her turn immediately or must she wait for the start ? Gerry Mac Nulty Ireland... Question, if a boat incurs a penalty, 270 turn, 3 mins before the start, can she do her turn immediately or must she wait for the start ? Gerry Mac Nulty Ireland…

]]> By: Kristen Berry http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Kristen Berry Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:44:56 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-132 Gerry - Thank you for your question. The short answer is YES, she MUST take her penalty immediately! If you read the "basicl principles" section at the beginning of part one of the racing rules it reads<em> "A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when competitors break a rule they will promptly take a penalty, which may be to retire." </em> So, if you foul another boat during the starting sequence you can immediately get clear of the other boats and take your penalty. That penalty is usually two tacks and two gybes in the same direction (720), but sometimes the class or organizing authority will institute a percentage penalty or even reduce the penalty to a one turn penalty. It is worth reading the Sailing Instructions and class rules if you aren't sure. Thanks for your question, please let me know if there is anything else I can help with. Gerry – Thank you for your question. The short answer is YES, she MUST take her penalty immediately! If you read the “basicl principles” section at the beginning of part one of the racing rules it reads “A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when competitors break a rule they will promptly take a penalty, which may be to retire.”
So, if you foul another boat during the starting sequence you can immediately get clear of the other boats and take your penalty. That penalty is usually two tacks and two gybes in the same direction (720), but sometimes the class or organizing authority will institute a percentage penalty or even reduce the penalty to a one turn penalty.

It is worth reading the Sailing Instructions and class rules if you aren’t sure.

Thanks for your question, please let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

]]> By: Gerry Mac Nulty http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Gerry Mac Nulty Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:53:48 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-131 Question, if a boat incurs a penalty, 270 turn, 3 mins before the start, can she do her turn immediately or must she wait for the start ? Gerry Mac Nulty Ireland Question, if a boat incurs a penalty, 270 turn, 3 mins before the start, can she do her turn immediately or must she wait for the start ? Gerry Mac Nulty Ireland

]]> By: Kristen Berry http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Kristen Berry Fri, 01 May 2009 22:41:17 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-107 Hmmmm. Well you are either windward or leeward (on the same tack), port or starboard (on opposite tacks), or clear ahead or clear behind (same tack, not overlapped) so I think it is important to determine which you were. Beyond that, Rule 18.1 (c) states that rule 18 does not apply to a boat approaching a mark and a boat leaving one. Does that help? Hmmmm. Well you are either windward or leeward (on the same tack), port or starboard (on opposite tacks), or clear ahead or clear behind (same tack, not overlapped) so I think it is important to determine which you were.

Beyond that, Rule 18.1 (c) states that rule 18 does not apply to a boat approaching a mark and a boat leaving one. Does that help?

]]> By: Blair Overman http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Blair Overman Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:58:51 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-106 What if by some freak chance there was not a windward / leeward boat distinguished at the time that they meet. Did there used to be a rule that if a boat has already rounded a mark, it has right of way? I'll work on my diagramming skills and get back to ya. What if by some freak chance there was not a windward / leeward boat distinguished at the time that they meet. Did there used to be a rule that if a boat has already rounded a mark, it has right of way?

I’ll work on my diagramming skills and get back to ya.

]]> By: Kristen Berry http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Kristen Berry Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:25:25 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-105 Remember that the rules do not shut off at the marks. So the windward boat would be required to keep clear in the situation you have described. I'd love to see a diagram and make this a Question of the week since this sort of situation happens all the time at the windward mark. The rules view contact as contact. The only exception to that might be in the case of damage. The rule is pretty clear. It states: <blockquote> 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 or mark-room (a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room, and (b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that causes damage or injury.</blockquote> So there is not pass on if it was just a little tap. The take away here is to avoid contact! Remember that the rules do not shut off at the marks. So the windward boat would be required to keep clear in the situation you have described. I’d love to see a diagram and make this a Question of the week since this sort of situation happens all the time at the windward mark.

The rules view contact as contact. The only exception to that might be in the case of damage. The rule is pretty clear. It states:

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 or mark-room
(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat
is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room, and
(b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact
that causes damage or injury.

So there is not pass on if it was just a little tap. The take away here is to avoid contact!

]]> By: Blair Overman http://galeforcesailing.com/rules-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Blair Overman Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:50:50 +0000 http://galeforcesailing.com/?p=632#comment-104 Hey KB, Really interesting rules scenerio. It made me think of some additional questions. Also, I wanted to let you know that I can't see the diagram you drew...and I really want to see it. What do you do if two boats are on starboard tack near the windward mark. One is approaching the mark (Boat A) and one has just rounded and is falling off away from the mark (Boat B). Their paths intersect...who has right of way? Could you provide your thoughts in a situation if they are both in the mark zone, and then another situation if they are both outside of it? Obviously, if they are inside the zone, the boat approaching the mark (Boat A)would have to tack to make the mark, yet it is still intersecting the path of the boat falling off away from the mark (Boat B). Maybe you would prefer a diagram, but does that description make sense? Additionally, there is no difference between "tapping" a boat and hitting it, is there? I had someone try to tell me that because they briefly tapped or bumped my boat, they did not have to do penalty turns. I disagreed. Thoughts? Thanks! -Blair Hey KB,

Really interesting rules scenerio. It made me think of some additional questions. Also, I wanted to let you know that I can’t see the diagram you drew…and I really want to see it.

What do you do if two boats are on starboard tack near the windward mark. One is approaching the mark (Boat A) and one has just rounded and is falling off away from the mark (Boat B). Their paths intersect…who has right of way? Could you provide your thoughts in a situation if they are both in the mark zone, and then another situation if they are both outside of it? Obviously, if they are inside the zone, the boat approaching the mark (Boat A)would have to tack to make the mark, yet it is still intersecting the path of the boat falling off away from the mark (Boat B). Maybe you would prefer a diagram, but does that description make sense?

Additionally, there is no difference between “tapping” a boat and hitting it, is there? I had someone try to tell me that because they briefly tapped or bumped my boat, they did not have to do penalty turns. I disagreed. Thoughts?

Thanks!
-Blair

]]>