A gap opens up on the inside at the mark — am I allowed to take it?

Name: You Sail Inside at the Mark? The Rule Most Get Wrong
Uploaded: 2026-06-15T12:00:00+12:00
Description: A gap opens up on the inside at the mark — am I allowed to take it? Yes. If a boat leaves you space you weren't entitled to, you may sail into it — at your own risk. The inside boat is given mark-room under Rule 18.2(a), and Rule 43.1(b) exonerates her for taking room that's offered. In World Sailing Case 63 the inside boat rounds clean and the protest is dismissed.

Yes. If a boat leaves you space you weren't entitled to, you may sail into it — at your own risk. The inside boat is given mark-room under Rule 18.2(a), and Rule 43.1(b) exonerates her for taking room that's offered. In World Sailing Case 63 the inside boat rounds clean and the protest is dismissed.

▶ Watch on YouTube ↓ Download (via YouTube)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AWFPd_sIRQ8" title="Sailing Kiwi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/AWFPd_sIRQ8/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>

A gap opens up on the inside at the mark — am I allowed to take it?

Next on this shelf — The Windward Mark

When the Starboard Boat Still Gets Penalised

Tacking at the Windward Mark — Port or Starboard? (Case 9)

The Boat Behind Won't Tack at the Mark — Can She Do That?