Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing

PART 3 AND PART 4 : CONDUC T OF A RAC E AND OTHE R R EQUI R EMENTS 269

a gybe. Notice that the turn does not need to be a complete 360-degree turn. Once you complete your final tack or gybe, your penalty is complete and you may continue in the race. This is why it is not called a “360” or “720.” Note that you have to do one turn immediately after the other, though it is generally acceptable to build enough speed after the first turn to be able to sail effi- ciently through the second one. While you are making your turns, you have to keep clear of other boats (see rule 21.2 and Case 108).

“What if I am not sure I have broken a rule; do I get some time to think about it before deciding to take a penalty?”

Unfortunately No! Appeal 60 says “Rule 44.1 permits a boat to take a penalty at the time of the incident. Rule 44.2 requires the boat to sail well clear of other boats as soon as possible after the incident and promptly make two turns as described in the rule. Together, these rules require a boat that decides to take a penalty to do so as soon as possible after the incident. The rule does not provide for time for a boat to deliberate whether she has broken a rule. If she delays in doing her penalty turns, she is still liable to be disqualified.” Once you have completed your turns, i.e., your final tack or gybe, you have

completed your penalty and the rules of Section A apply to you again. Remem- ber, if you acquire right of way over another boat after your second turn, you have to initially give them room to keep clear under rule 15 (Acquiring Right of Way). Note that if you break a rule before the starting signal, you can do your

Two-Turns Penalty immediately; i.e., you don’t have to wait until after the start - ing signal. As in touching a mark, the rationale is that the penalty should fit the crime. Breaking a rule three minutes before your start probably has little effect on anyone’s race; likewise your turns penalty will be of little adverse con- sequence to you. However, breaking a rule ten seconds before the start means that you are probably somewhere you shouldn’t be and are likely adversely affecting the start for others; by the same token, doing a Two-Turns Penalty while others are starting will be of more negative consequence to you. If you break a rule near the finishing line, including while or just after you

have finished but are still racing, you can do your Two-Turns Penalty anywhere, but you then have to cross the finishing line again from the course side of the line. The second time you cross the finishing line will be your actual finish (see the definition Finish).

Table of Contents

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