PART 2
For rule 17 to apply to boats that are overlapped on the same tack • The boats must be overlapped on the same tack when the overlap begins. (Boats can be overlapped on opposite tacks when they are both sailing more than ninety degrees from the true wind, see the definition Overlap, but rule 17 will not apply.)
• L must become overlapped from clear astern, and within two of L’s hull lengths of W: so an overlap that begins when L is more than two of her hull lengths from W does not then stop L from sailing above a proper course either at that time or if they then come within that distance.
• The overlap must not be an ‘instantaneous’ one that begins when L tacks to a leeward overlap from the opposite tack, since there was never a time when she was clear astern on the same tack.
• For there to be a proper course, the starting signal must have been made (whether before or after the overlap begins)1
• W was not subject to rule 13 when the overlap was created, even if she was now on the same tack as L. If the overlap was created when W became a same-tack boat on passing head to wind during a tack, after crossing ahead on the opposite tack, and became overlapped before becoming close-hauled, there is no proper course limitation on L whether before or after W becomes close-hauled. This is to deter boats like W from ‘slam-dunking’ too close to leeward boats.
When rule 17 applies, it may continue to apply for some time while the overlap lasts and neither changes tack, during which the boats may change course to pass an obstruction, pass the windward mark onto a reach or run, pass the second mark of a trapezoid outer loop, or pass the leeward mark and luff to a close-hauled course. Rule 17 is not referred to in rule 21 as a rule whose breach may be exonerated immediately if caused by a third boat. A two-turns penalty is available to a boat that realises she has broken this rule of Part 2 and is not able promptly to sail astern of the other boat.
Defeating Rule 17
Wind direction and proper course
There are several ways that a rule 17 limitation will end:
• If L gybes to the opposite tack, the limitation ends, and does not begin again if W then gybes back while overlapped, since the overlap was not made from clear astern
• If W gybes to the opposite tack, the limitation ends, and does not begin again if W then gybes back while overlapped, since the overlap was not made from clear astern: in this and the previous example, the boats, if both sailing more than ninety degrees from the true wind, will remain overlapped, as defined, but not on the same tack
• The limitation ends if L becomes either clear astern or clear ahead (not illustrated)
• The limitation ends if the gap opens to more than two of L’s hull lengths, and does not begin again if the gap then closes to less than two of L’s hull lengths
1 1
In each case, Blue is clear astern of Yellow...
...and becomes
overlapped to leeward of Yellow on the same tack within two of Blue's hull lengths.
They are now no longer overlapped on the same tack, because one of them has gybed, and Blue may sail above her proper course if she wishes.
The boat that gybed has gybed back, and they are now on the same tack, but Blue can still sail above her proper course if she wishes.
.
2
3 Blue's proper course 2 3 4
4
Blue breaks her rule 17 limitation by getting more than two hull lengths from
Yellow, and Blue may now sail above a proper course.
1 TR Call C4. Team racing umpires have to be alert to how a pre-start overlaps was established, since it may some time after that before an issue arises. Likewise, as concerns overlapped boats approaching an upwind or downwind layline.
RYA The Racing Rules Explained 61
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