She tacked into a leeward overlap and luffed me to head to wind — is that legal?
Yes. Rule 17's proper-course limit only binds a leeward boat that became overlapped from clear astern within two hull lengths. A boat that arrives to leeward by tacking was never clear astern, so Rule 17 never switches on, and Rule 11 makes you keep clear. Her only limits are Rule 16.1 (room to respond) and head to wind itself — past it she is tacking and Rule 13 puts the duty back on her.
📖 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)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w3iUb3LWf6Q" title="Sailing Kiwi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/w3iUb3LWf6Q/">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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