A boat is reaching down onto me while I'm close-hauled — does close-hauled beat reaching?
No. “Close-hauled beats reaching” was dropped from racing decades ago and decides nothing today. On the same tack and overlapped, Rule 11 gives right of way to the leeward boat and the windward boat keeps clear — windward being the boat on the side the wind comes from. Point of sail never enters into it: swap the two boats over and it is the close-hauled boat that must move.
📖 Want Rule 11 in your pocket? The Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 is a spiral-bound quick reference to the current rules. (affiliate link)
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/rz2kBtLQj_c/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- The Book of Sailing Knots by Peter Owen — The knots every sailor needs, step by step.
- BLUESTORM lifejacket — A lifejacket for time on the water.
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