Case 49: In the photo below, Laser 156896 and Wayfarer 286 are about to round the windward mark to starboard.

What does rule 18 have to say about this situation?

Answer:
Rule 18.1(a) makes it clear that rule 18 does not apply between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward. As the instructors like to say: "Take away the mark!" The good news for the Laser here is, however, that, as of 2017, 18.3 Tacking in the Zone no longer applies at a mark being left to starboard, so that the Laser just has to make sure his tack does not break rule 13. Here he could


1. be nasty and hold his course to force W286 to tack away in order to keep clear, or
2. tack around inside of W286


What I do in a situation like the one above at a windward mark to be left to starboard is slow down and aim straight at the mark so that a starboard-tacker can no longer tack inside me or off my bow. This is especially useful if I am about to hoist a close-reach spinnaker and want no worries about keeping clear of a leeward boat.

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