The windward mark — Rule 18 and the zone

Three boat-lengths from the mark, the rules shift. Mark room, inside overlaps, tacking inside the zone, port-tack approaches on the layline.

When the Starboard Boat Still Gets Penalised

When the right-of-way boat still gets penalised.

Tacking at the Windward Mark — Port or Starboard? (Case 9)

The Rule 18.3 trap at the windward mark.

The Boat Behind Won't Tack at the Mark — Can She Do That?

A boat behind owes you mark-room — not a tack.

She Came In From a Different Angle — Can I Shut the Door? (Case 12)

It looks like barging — it isn't. Inside the zone you owe mark-room.

We Collided at a Mark With Damage — How Can BOTH Be Disqualified? (Case 26)

Right of way is not a right to collide — keep a lookout.

You Tacked onto Starboard at the Mark and Got Hit — Why Are You Out? (Case 27)

Tack too close and the crash is yours — even when she hits you.

You May Take Inside Room You Weren't Owed — At Your Own Risk (Case 63)

That gap on the inside? You're allowed to take it — at your own risk.

Your Mark-Room Doesn't Survive Your Own Tack (Case 81)

Mark-room gives you room to round — it doesn't survive your own tack.

One Radio Call Got Her Disqualified (Case 100)

Ask for tactics on the radio and you're out.

The Windward-Mark Mistake That Disqualifies You (Case 95)

Tack inside the zone and every line afterwards loses.

New Right of Way? Give Room First (Case 93)

New right of way? Give room before you luff.

You Have Right of Way at the Mark — But You Still Owe Room

Right of way under Rule 11 doesn't cancel a separate mark-room duty under 18.2.

No Mark-Room on Opposite Tacks at the Windward Mark (Rules 18.1 & 10)

Rule 18 is switched off on opposite tacks upwind — it's plain port-starboard.

How to Take a One-Turn Penalty Properly (Rule 44.2)

The two-move test: one tack, one gybe, or the turn doesn't count.

Rounded the Mark on the Wrong Side — the Fix That Actually Counts (Rule 28)

It is never the circle that fixes it — it is where the taut string ends up.

Bore Away Round the Top Mark Into a Boat Still Beating — Who Keeps Clear? (Rules 11, 15 and 23.2)

Another leg doesn't save you — same tack, overlapped, windward keeps clear.

She Tacked in the Zone Right in Front of You — Were You Right to Shout "No Room"? (Rules 13 and 18.3)

She may tack in the zone and make you head up — but never above close-hauled.

She Tacked Right In Front of You at the Windward Mark — Can You Protest? (Rules 18.3, 13 and 15)

You bore away and never had to luff, so her tack in the zone was legal.

She Got to the Zone First, So Why Does She Have to Give You Room? (Rule 18.3)

Tack inside the zone and you hand the mark to any starboard boat that gets inside you.

Worth having for this part of the race

Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.

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