I met a boat that wasn't racing — do the racing right-of-way rules still apply?

Name: He Rammed Another Boat — And the Racing Rules Didn't Apply
Uploaded: 2026-06-17T12:00:00+12:00
Description: I met a boat that wasn't racing — do the racing right-of-way rules still apply? No. When a boat that is racing meets a vessel that is not racing, Part 2 of the racing rules switches off and you both follow the government 'rules of the road' (Colregs). And deliberately hitting another boat and causing damage is misconduct under Rule 69, not an ordinary foul. (World Sailing Case 67.)

No. When a boat that is racing meets a vessel that is not racing, Part 2 of the racing rules switches off and you both follow the government 'rules of the road' (Colregs). And deliberately hitting another boat and causing damage is misconduct under Rule 69, not an ordinary foul. (World Sailing Case 67.)

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I met a boat that wasn't racing — do the racing right-of-way rules still apply?

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