The run — Rule 17, overlaps, and proper course

Downwind looks slower, but the rules are tighter. Rule 17 caps your luff after gaining an overlap from clear astern. Overlaps form and break differently here.

Rule 17 — Proper Course After Gaining a Leeward Overlap

Proper course, after gaining an overlap from clear astern.

You Overtook to Leeward — Now Give Room (Rule 12 → 11 → 15)

Overtaking to leeward — take what's yours, but not instantly.

Starboard Squeezes Between Two Port Boats Downwind — Who's Wrong?

Continuing obstruction is not a get-out clause.

Can the Leeward Boat Head Up On Me? (Case 14)

The leeward boat doesn't owe you a straight line to the mark.

Overtaking a Slower Boat to Leeward — When Does Right of Way Flip? (Case 41)

Rule 12 → 19.2(b) → 11 → 15, in the space of one overtake.

Clear Astern on Starboard — How Is the Foul Mine? (Case 30)

Blanket the boat ahead and cause contact — that's on you.

She Dove Into the Gap Below You — Did You Owe Her Room? (Case 29)

A boat under way isn't a "continuing obstruction" — could you have given room from the start?

She Came From Behind, Then Luffed You Up — Can She Do That? (Case 46)

Leeward boat can luff up TO her proper course — even when she came from behind.

Case 105 — Luffed Downwind: Why Holding Your Course Gets You DSQ'd

Running on port, luffed by starboard — hold your course and you're out.

Is a Jockey Pole Legal? (Case 97)

One word — sheet vs guy — makes it legal.

Rule 17 — You Can't Force the Leeward Boat Above Proper Course

A leeward overlap from astern locks you to your own proper course.

Rule 12: Clear Ahead vs Clear Astern — Who Keeps Clear?

Same tack, no overlap — the boat clear astern keeps clear.

Overlapped Downwind — Rule 11 Still Applies

Downwind isn't a free-for-all — Rule 11 still decides who keeps clear.

Someone's Climbing Your Transom Downwind — Who Gives Way?

Downwind, being ahead means nothing — the boom decides who gives way.

Overlapped Downwind — Why the Leeward Boat Holds Right of Way

Overlapped downwind, the leeward boat is protected by Rule 11.

Boat Climbing Your Transom on Opposite Tacks — Gybe to Flip It

Being ahead downwind is worth nothing on the wrong tack — one gybe fixes it.

Catching Up Downwind Doesn't Earn You Right of Way (Rule 12)

Closing the gap downwind buys you no rights until an overlap actually forms.

Two Boats Running Downwind — How to Tell Who's on Which Tack

Dead downwind, the boom names the tack when the heading can't.

Running Side-by-Side Downwind — How to Find Which Boat Is Leeward

Side by side downwind, leeward is found from the wind, not from below.

It Looks Like a Crossing — But Check the Sails First

Same-side sails mean same tack — Rule 11 governs, not Rule 10.

Same Tack, No Overlap — Clear Astern Keeps Clear (Rule 12)

No overlap, same tack — the boat behind keeps clear, full stop.

Rounding the Mark Does Not Give You Right of Way (Rules 10 and 14)

Bearing away round the mark doesn't change your tack — and Rule 10 only reads tack.

Hit From Behind Downwind and It's Still Your Fault (Rules 10 and 12)

Booms on opposite sides means Rule 10 — and port keeps clear even from in front.

She Gybed Into You and It's Still Your Fault (Rules 11 and 10, Keep Clear)

Keep clear means leaving her room to turn both ways — and a gybe is a turn.

Being Ahead Downwind Is Not Right of Way (Rules 12, 11 and 15)

Being ahead lasts only as long as she's clear astern.

Her Spinnaker Was Out Of Control and You Hit It — Who Gets Penalized? (Rule 12, Case 91)

Her kite was out of control — but clear astern, keeping clear of it was your job.

She Came From Behind Into the Gap — Do You Have to Let Her Through? (Rule 19.2(b), Obstruction)

A boat you must keep clear of is an obstruction, so let the inside boat through if there was room.

Trapped Behind a Boat Along the Shore — Which Side Do You Pass? (Rules 12, 11 and 19.2)

Inside gets no room by the shore. Go outside, and the starboard boat must give you room.

Both on Port, Starboard Boat Right Behind: Can She Sail Between You? (Rule 10)

Port keeps clear of starboard, even downwind, even from behind.

She Came From Behind and Overlapped to Leeward: Who Keeps Clear? (Rules 11 and 17)

Clear astern keeps clear, until she overlaps. Then windward keeps clear.

The Boat Behind Is Catching You Downwind: Hold Your Course or Get Out of Her Wind Shadow?

Guard your wind downwind: step out of her shadow into clean air, early.

Is a Boat to Leeward an Obstruction on a Run? Do You Have to Let Her Into the Gap? (Rule 19.2(b))

A boat you must keep clear of is an obstruction. Overlapped on the inside, you get room between.

Straight to the Leeward Mark or Zig-Zag Through the Gusts? Which Wins Downwind?

Link the gusts downwind: the zig-zag sails further but stays in more wind.

Straight, High and Soak, or the Fast Angles: Which Wins Downwind?

Straight, high and soak, or fast angles: each wins on a different day.

A Faster Boat Is Coming Over the Top Downwind: Hold Low or Head Up and Match Her?

Head up early and match her: same angle, same speed, and she cannot roll you.

Port Tack Downwind, Starboard Boat Coming: Gybe Away or Duck Her Stern?

Bear away, slow down and pass behind her stern: two seconds of slowing beats three gybes.

Downwind Cover: The Boat Behind Controls Your Wind, So Match Every Gybe

Downwind the boat behind steals your wind: sit upwind of her and match every gybe.

Worth having for this part of the race

Five Oceans masthead wind indicator — See the wind direction at a glance.

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