The right-of-way boat is pointing dead at the obstruction — who owes room right now?
Right now, neither of you. While her bow points straight at the wall you can't tell which side she'll take, so there's no inside or outside boat yet and Rule 19 puts no room obligation on either boat. But one rule never waits: she's the leeward, right-of-way boat, so under Rule 11 the windward boat must keep clear the whole time. The instant she commits it snaps to one of two outcomes — bear away and she owes you room; luff and you owe her.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/kcDqXhYwwhw/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>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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