31. Facts Found: In 15 knots of breeze, Four-Way Stop was approaching the windward mark of a buoys to starboard course on starboard tack with Phyrkle Fantasy half a length off the windward corner of his transom as shown in the diagram on the left. Phyrkle informed Four-Way that Four-Way would not have the right to tack in this situation.
	At the mark, Four-Way tacked. Phyrkle was forced to bear away violently to avoid contact with 4-Way while 4-Way Stop was tacking. Phyrkle lodged a valid protest.

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Ruling: Even though the boats were on a beat, rule 18 applied since they were not on opposite tacks. Since Four-Way Stop was clear ahead when she reached the two-length zone, she was subject to rule 18.2(b) which does however state: "If the boat that was clear ahead passes head to wind, rule 18.2(c) no longer applies. " At this point, Four-Way Stop became subject to the usual rules and she broke rule 13. The protest is upheld and Four-Way Stop is disqualified.
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NOTE: What the boat clear ahead should do in this situation if she is close enough to the mark, is to luff up but not tack alongside the mark. This forces a boat close astern to bear off and pass to leeward (or pass on the wrong side of the mark!!!!). At this point, the boats are overlapped, and it becomes safe and legal to complete the tack according to the new preamble to rule 18 which states: "In rule 18, room is room for an inside boat to round or pass between an outside boat and a mark or obstruction, including room to tack or gybe when either is a normal part of the manoeuvre."

This whole situation arises only if the boat clear astern is very close. Therefore only a very brief luff will be required - you might think of it as an extremely slow tack - remembering that the official tack does not start until you've passed head to wind (rule 13)!

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Case #32
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