what is the right course rule

by Julien Green 4 min read

How To Choose Courses Rule #1: Only take a class if you know you’ll get an A in it. No, not an A-. An A, which is 95 percent or better.

Full Answer

What is proper course?

Proper Course A course a boat would sail to finish finish the race and clear the finishing line and marks as soon as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal.

What are luffing rights?

A leeward boat has luffing rights (the right to sail above her proper course) unless she established an overlap from clear astern, within two of her hull lengths to leeward of the windward boat. All the leeward boats (YELLOW) except GREEN have luffing rights (i.e. may sail above their proper course).

What is au flag in sailing?

A 'U' flag has been added to the Preparatory Signals. It means 'Rule 30.3 is in effect' so you can expect to see it, sometimes, displayed on the starting vessel as the preparatory signal four minutes before a start.

Can you Luff someone up at the start line of boat racing?

Starting: The “inside boat” rule does not apply on the start line of a race. You cannot squeeze between a boat to leeward of you and a mark. If you try, a boat to your lee may luff you and you may not be able to pass inside the mark.

What is fetching the mark?

A boat is fetching a mark when she is in a position to pass to windward of it and leave it on the required side without changing tack.

What does leg mean in sailing?

Leg: A part of the course bounded by two marks or buoys. Luffing: Altering course toward the wind. Mark: A buoy that defines the endpoint of a leg of a race. Mast: A vertical spar or pole to which a sail or sails attach.

What does DTG mean in sailing?

DOG. Distance over ground. Distance over the ground, measured point to point, in nautical miles.

What is DNC in sailing?

DNC : Did not compete, did not come to the start. Scores points equal to the number of competitors in that series plus 1. DSQ : Disqualified.

What are the rules for golf?

Certain Rules apply specifically to the four areas of the course Areas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: that are not in the general area General Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. (...Continued) :

How many areas of the course are there in a ball?

A ball is always treated as lying in only one area of the course Areas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: : If part of the ball is in both the general area General Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: ...

What is the general area of golf?

The General Area. The general area General Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing .

What is penalty area?

All penalty areas Penalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. (... Continued) ( Rule 17 ), All bunkers Bunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.

What is proper course?

Proper Course: A course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of the other boats. On a beat your proper course is close-hauled. Off-wind it is whichever direction will get you to the next mark most quickly (in time) e.g. an asymmetric class would not sail directly downwind on a run.

What is Rule 17 of the Racing Rules of Sailing?

Rule 17 of the Racing Rules of Sailing. The proper course rule probably confuses more sailors than any other rule. However, the basics are actually pretty straightforward. This article will start by explaining the basics and progress into an FAQ to help clarify the finer points.

What is the rule for windward boat heads?

Explanation: If the windward boat heads enough up he can temporarily break the overlap then bear down again to create the overlap within the 2 hull lengths. As a result, rule 17 now applies.

What is the rule for a leeward boat?

Explanation: Before the start there is no ‘proper course’. Again, this means Rule 17 doesn’t apply and you’re back to Rule 11. Rule 11 allows a leeward boat to luff a windward boat wherever they wish provided they give them room to keep clear.

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, shall a windward boat keep clear of a

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat. Rule 17 is there to put limits on when and how the leeward boat can exercise this right. So let’s take a look at Rule 17 in the RRS:

When you pass head to wind, you are no longer leeward?

When you pass head to wind you are no longer leeward boat. Explanation: Luffing is defined as heading progressively closer to the wind. So by definition you can only ‘luff’ until the eye of the wind. Turning beyond that would mean you are ‘bearing away’ from the wind rather than ‘luffing’.

When boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction?

Explanation: Rule 19.2 (b) states: When boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began .

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