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Case 14:
In the photo below, W9235 is outpointing W3854 as they sail up a beat
on Tawas Bay.
1. If they continue to get closer together to the point of
nearly colliding, who will have to keep clear? Under what rule?
2. Would rule 17 apply here (same tack; proper course)?
3. What other rule will apply once these boats get very
close to each other, say about a foot of water between the hulls?
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Answer:
1. It will be a straightforward case of rule 11
(windward/leeward), and W3854 (Uncle Al) will have to keep clear of
Brian Jeffs (9235).
2. Rule 17.1 is not likely to
apply since it
is extremely rare that a boat is able to establish an overlap from
clear astern and within two boatlengths while going upwind. If this did
happen, and I've been on some lakes (Clark Lake, Lake Orion, Fanshawe)
where it does, Leeward would have to sail no higher than her proper
course which could include any amount of "pinching" she cares to do.
If 3854 (the windward boat) wants to sail down onto a boat trying to
pass to leeward, he may do so since 17.2 does not apply on a beat. Of
course, rule 11 still applies, and 3854 will have to keep clear of 9235.
3. Once the boats get into close proximity, rule 16.1
kicks in, and the leeward boat must take care not to change course -
for any reason - if such a course change does not leave
Windward room to keep clear. On the other hand, Leeward is entitled to
hold his course, and if Windward can't point high enough to keep clear,
he will have to tack away or luff up and let Leeward go by. If Al
leaves tacking or luffing up too late and can't do so without
colliding, he has not kept clear - see definition of keeping clear.
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