Background of the Racing Rules of Sailing

        The world governing body for sailing is the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Formerly known as the Interntional Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), its members are the national governing bodies for the 118 member nations which are known as national authorities. The ISAF has promulgated a set of yacht racing rules that are then adopted by each national governing body for use in races held in its country. The current version is the 2001-2004 International Yacht Racing Rules which took effect in May 2001 and is intended to remain in effect through the end of 2004. This four year cycle is keyed to the Olympic Games and is intended to allow sailors maximum time and opportunity to become familiar with the yacht racing rules that will apply in the next Olympics. Sailing was held in the 2000 Summer Olympics at Sydney, Australia.

Here's a good starting point to learning the Right of Way basic rules. At the current time, this guide explains the previous rules (RRS 1997-2000) but the basic principles still apply. 

Click here to access Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004  (PDF File).

Once you have learned the rules basics, you can test your understanding by reading the US Sailing Appeals. Actual case situations are presented and discussions of why decisions were made a certain way are shown,

Port/Starboard

Sailboats are always oriented to the wind in one of two ways: Port Tack or Starboard Tack (unless one is briefly in between, while changing direction).

When the wind is coming from the starboard side of the boat, and consequently, the sails are on the opposite side, this is known as being on starboard tack.

When the wind is coming from the port side of the boat, and sails are on the opposite side, the boat is on port tack.

Starboard or Port tack has no correlation to going upwind or downwind, i.e. it is not the same thing as "Tacking" (which is changing direction by having the leading edge of the sail pass through the wind).

Thus, one can be on a "Tack" whether going upwind or downwind.

The rule is simple: If you are on Starboard tack, you have right of way over a boat on port tack. Port tack boat must avoid you. You are welcome to shout "Starboard" at an approaching boat that has the potential of colliding with you. It is expected and is a safe course of action.

However, if you are out cruising on a weekend afternoon and spot a non-racing sailor on port tack, you might be advised that shouting "Starboard" might fall on deaf ears and it may be pay to be more defensive.

Windward/Leeward

If boats are on the same tack, either port or starboard, an different rule applies. The leeward boat has right of way and the windward boat must give way.

Although this is simple when boats are headed in the same direction, this may be hard to determine for newer racers when one boat is going upwind and the other is going downwind. Is this a port/starboard situation? Or is it Windward/Leeward? 

Picture the situations in your head and imagine which side the sails are on.

Typical boat conflict situations occur at the start line. During the start, most boats will typically start on starboard tack to retain right of way.

In this situation, the leeward and ahead boat is usually in the controlling position (assuming similar boat speeds). Thus, if you are on starboard tack, the boat to your left can push you up. Just before the start, the leeward boat can push you up all the way to head to wind. After the start, they must resume a "Proper Course" to the next mark.

Remember that if there is a boat to windward of you, you have the same rights to force the boat over. It is common practice to reveal your intent to push the boat up by shouting "Up! Up! Going Up!" because the rules say that the windward boat should be given an opportunity to react. Thus you can't simply head up and crash the boat just because you have right of way.

During the windward leg, the port tack boat needs to keep an eye on starboard tack boats at all times. Many accidents can occur during this time so have a clear picture of the position of each of the boats in your fleet. Starboard tack boats should also prepare to shout "Starboard!" in case the port tack boat missed you but the starboard tack boat is not required to change course.

As you turn around the windward mark and head downwind, remember that there will be starboard tack boats on your left so they will have rights over you because, first, they will be the leeward boat if you happen to also be starboard, or you are on port tack.

If you look to your right, you may also encounter port tack boats going upwind. If you are on starboard tack, you do not need to worry. If you are on port tack, then you have to give way since you will be windward boat.

There are plenty of very complex rules described in Racing Rules of Racing under the Section PART II When Boats Meet. After learning this 101 course by heart, you will then have to learn the rules that pertain to meeting boats at marks and obstructions.

There are some limitations to the simplified explanation of rules mentioned above.

Avoiding Collisions

Regardless of the rule in effect, one must avoid a collision if possible. So even if a boat is technically committing an infraction to the right of way rules, you can bring it up in the protest room but you do not need to prove your point with a collision.

If you have right of way, you are entitled to stick to your course until the very last moment when it is apparent that the other boat will not give way.

If you do have a collision, as right of way boat, you will not be penalized unless there is contact that causes damage.

Giving other Boat Room to Keep Clear

If you acquire right of way on another boat, you can't just smash into them. You need to give the other boat a chance to keep clear. This is the reason that during starts and other boat encounters (particularly windward/leeward), you will hear shouts of "Up! Up! Up! Go Up!" from the leeward boat. This in essence is giving the other boat warning to head up to avoid contact.

This same rule applies when you change course.