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I hailed for room to tack and she said "You tack" — doesn't that give me right of way?

No. Being told 'You tack' gives you room — space to tack and then keep clear — not right of way. Under Rule 20.2(c) the hailed boat owes you only room; if your own two seamanlike tacks show you were given it, you have no protest. Remember it as: room is room, not right of way. (World Sailing Case 101.)

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Recommended reading

  • The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — The clearest guide to the racing rules around the racecourse — updated for the current 2025-2028 rulebook.
  • Advanced Racing Tactics by Stuart H. Walker — The classic deep-dive on racing tactics — starting, beating, reaching and mark rounding.

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Next on this shelf — The Upwind Beat

Rule 10 — Port and Starboard: Who Has Right of Way?

The most common rules mistake at club level.

Rule 11 — Windward Boat Keeps Clear

Same tack, overlapped — who has to move?

Rule 15 — You Just Acquired Right of Way (Now Give Room)

Rule 15 — acquiring right of way.