Windward, leeward and clear astern
World Sailing · 2025–2028On the same tack, an overlapped windward boat must keep clear of the leeward boat. If the boats are not overlapped, the boat clear astern must keep clear of the boat clear ahead. Overlap is assessed using hulls and equipment in normal position, with the definition also covering an intervening overlapping boat.
The rule
On the same tack, an overlapped windward boat must keep clear of the leeward boat. If the boats are not overlapped, the boat clear astern must keep clear of the boat clear ahead. Overlap is assessed using hulls and equipment in normal position, with the definition also covering an intervening overlapping boat.
In practice
A boat that establishes an overlap from clear astern close to leeward may be restricted from sailing above her proper course. That restriction does not remove her right of way. Before the starting signal a boat has no proper course. Watch how an overlap began, rather than deciding an entire incident from a single photograph.
Sources & approach ↗