Case 42: In the photo below, the start "gun" has just gone at Charlotte's Catawba YC. Lightning 14318 has just enough room to squeeze in between the RC boat and Lightning 15141.
1. Does rule 18 apply here?
2. Do the rules permit 15141 to luff up here and cut 14318 off? Explain.

Answer:
1. No. Rule 18.1(a) states that rule 18 does not apply at a starting mark (which the RC boat is in most cases) surrounded by navigable water. Therefore 14318 is not entitled to room. However, ...
2. ... if 15141 wants to luff up to cut off the windward boat, he has left it too late. If he did luff up here, he would not be giving "the other boat room to keep clear" and thus be breaking rule 16.1.
NOTE: Rule 16 only forbids a course change here. If 15141 were sailing a straight-line course that would cut the windward boat off at the mark, Windward would have to see that coming and take steps to avoid a hopeless situation before it becomes impossible, e.g. slow down/stop, or tack away. Of course, if the windward boat forces room, rule 14 requires the leeward boat to avoid contact at which time a protest by Leeward against Windward would be in order.

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