Hi,
Could somebody help me. I don’t understand the spririt of the 18.1(a)(2), not already taken into account by the 18.1(a)(1).
“[Rule 18] does not apply between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,”
I don’t manage to find any example of boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for both of them is to tack, but not “boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward [18.1(a)(1)]”
Nicolas
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Rule 18.1(a)(1) is for classic windward beat situations: It says Rule 18 doesn't apply when boats are on opposite tacks and both are on a beat to windward. That's pretty straightforward; it's the typical situation when two boats are converging on the windward mark from opposite sides, both sailing upwind. This rule exists to avoid chaos in the zone when boats might try to claim mark-room even while still beating and tacking.
Rule 18.1(a)(2) The "Weird Shift Clause" (as Dave Perry calls it). This rule applies when only one boat needs to tack to sail her proper course at the mark. It's not limited to boats beating to windward; it covers situations caused by wind shifts, current, or overstanding. Here's one example:
Facts:
Assuming the fleet was initially sailing upwind toward the windward mark on a beat to windward.
1. Rule 18.1(a)(1) does not apply because neither boat was on a beat to windward.
2. Rule 18.1(a)(2) applies because only one boat (P) needed to tack to sail her proper course at the mark.
3. Rule 18 does not apply between P and S.
4. Boat P is not entitled to mark-room and must keep clear of S under Rule 10 (Opposite Tacks).
In short:
1. 18.1(a)(1): Both boats beating = Rule 18 OFF
2. 18.1(a)(2): One boat has to tack, the other doesn't = Rule 18 OFF