I'm running down to the leeward mark right beside another boat, with clear water between our hulls. She has to gybe at the mark. Have I left her enough room?
Not if she cannot gybe without her boom hitting you. Both boats are on starboard and Blue is to leeward, so under Rule 11 you must keep clear of her. You reach the zone overlapped with Blue on the inside, so you also owe her mark-room. Keep clear means an overlapped leeward boat can change course in either direction without immediately making contact, and a boat that must gybe needs room for her boom to swing. Blue's side: under Rule 18.4 she must gybe as soon as her proper course needs it, and cannot carry you wide past the mark. So the gap you leave has to fit her boom, not just her hull.
📖 Want Rule 11 in more depth? Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 sets out every rule with plain-English explanations and diagrams. (affiliate link)
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/uFo64tt9Yj0/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
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