Coming up to the finish, the committee boat was in my way so I hailed for room to tack — the other boat shouted "No". Who gets penalised?
Both of you. She could cross the line without tacking — she was fetching. Rule 20.1 says you may not hail at a mark when a boat that is fetching it would have to change course, and a committee boat at the end of the finishing line is a mark. Mark-room lets you pass it; it does not give you room to tack, and once you tack Rule 13 makes you keep clear until close-hauled. But "No" is never an answer: Rule 20.2 says a hailed boat must respond even when the hail breaks Rule 20.1 — tack, or reply "You tack" and give room. She did neither.
📖 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/hG3_AcUpb1Q/">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.
- 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes by Dave Perry — Rules scenarios to test yourself on, with the answers.
- Sailing sunglasses — Cut the glare off the water.
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