I'm catching the boat ahead downwind, same tack — do I have any rights yet?
No. When two boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, Rule 12 applies: the boat clear astern must keep clear of the boat clear ahead, and closing the gap earns you nothing. The moment you establish an overlap, the situation switches to Rule 11 with a completely different set of rights and duties.
📖 Want more situations like this one? Bryan Willis's The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 works through the rules as they happen round the racecourse. (affiliate link)
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/SCNppKPWysQ/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Situations round the racecourse, worked through for the current rules.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Five Oceans masthead wind indicator — See the wind direction at a glance.
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