2025 - 2028 Racing Rules of Sailing
A detailed analysis of the basic rules of sailing…
PART 2
WHEN BOATS MEET
The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to race, are racing, or have been racing. However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 14 when the incident resulted in injury or serious damage, or rule 23.1.
When a boat sailing under these rules meets a vessel that is not, she shall comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS) or government right-ofway rules. If the notice of race so states, the rules of Part 2 are replaced by the right-of-way rules of the IRPCAS or by government right-of-way rules.
Author’s Notes:
Part 2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2025-2028, titled “When Boats Meet,” outlines boat interactions rules to ensure safety and fairness during races. These rules specify the rights and obligations of boats when they encounter each other on the water. Key sections include:
Section A – Right of Way: Establishes which boat has the right of way in various situations, such as when boats are on opposite tacks or the same tack.
Section B—General Limitations: This section details limitations on right-of-way boats, including requirements to avoid collisions and provide room when acquiring the right of way.
Section C—At Marks and Obstructions: This section specifies rules for boats when they are at marks or obstructions, including the obligation to give room to other boats.
Section D—Other Rules: This section covers additional scenarios, such as when boats are starting or finishing and the responsibilities of boats that are not racing.
Notably, in the 2025-2028 edition, Rule 18—Mark Room has been updated to clarify boats’ obligations when rounding or passing marks. These clarifications aim to reduce misunderstandings and improve safety during mark roundings.
These rules are essential for maintaining order and safety during races, ensuring that all competitors understand their rights and responsibilities when boats meet on the water.
SECTION A
RIGHT OF WAY
A boat has right of way over another boat when the other boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-of-way boat.
Author’s Notes:
Section A of Part 2 in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2025-2028, titled “Right of Way,” defines which boat has the right of way in various scenarios during a race. These rules are crucial for preventing collisions and ensuring fair competition. The primary rules in this section include:
Rule 10 – On Opposite Tacks: When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.
Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, Overlapped: When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
Rule 12 – On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped: When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
Rule 13 – While Tacking: After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course.
Notably, in the 2025-2028 edition, Rule 17 – Proper Course has been modified by removing the last sentence, which previously stated, “This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.” This change affects the application of Rule 17 in specific situations.
These rules establish which boat must yield in various situations, promoting safety and fairness during races.
Let’s have a look at these four fundamental rules…
Rule 10 – ON OPPOSITE TACKS
Rule 10 covers boats on opposite tacks. We look in detail into who should keep clear. Rule 10 is a fundamental rule. It is important to fully understand its application…
Rule 11 – ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
Rule 11 covers when boats are on the same tack and overlapped. In that scenario, a windward boat must keep clear of a leeward boat.
Rule 12 – ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED
Rule 12 covers when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped. In that scenario, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
Rule 13 – WHILE TACKING
Rule 12 covers when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped. In that scenario, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
SECTION B
GENERAL LIMITATIONS
Author’s Notes:
Section B of Part 2 in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2025-2028, titled “General Limitations,” outlines restrictions on right-of-way boats to promote safety and fairness during races. The key rules in this section are:
Rule 14 – Avoiding Contact: All boats, regardless of right-of-way status, must take appropriate action to avoid collisions when possible.
Rule 15 – Acquiring Right of Way: When a boat gains right of way, she must initially provide other boats room to keep clear.
Rule 16 – Changing Course: A right-of-way boat altering her course must allow other boats room to keep clear.
Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper Course: If a boat establishes an overlap from clear astern within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain overlapped within that distance.
Notably, in the 2025-2028 edition, Rule 17 has been modified by removing the last sentence, which previously stated, “This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.” This change affects the application of Rule 17 in specific situations.
These rules collectively ensure that even boats with right of way operate in a manner that maintains safety and fairness on the racecourse.
Let’s have a look at these four “limiting” rules…
Rule 14 – AVOIDING CONTACT
Rule 12 covers when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped. In that scenario, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
Rule 15 – ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
Rule 12 covers when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped. In that scenario, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
Rule 16 – CHANGING COURSE
Rule 12 covers when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped. In that scenario, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
Rule 17 – ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
Rule 12 covers when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped. In that scenario, a boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
SECTION C
AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
Section C rules do not apply between boats when the mark or obstruction referred to in those rules is a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or its anchor line, from the time the boats are approaching it to start until they have left it astern.
Author’s Notes:
Section C of Part 2 in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2025-2028, titled “At Marks and Obstructions,” outlines the rules that govern interactions between boats when they are near marks or obstructions on the racecourse. These rules ensure safe and fair competition during these critical maneuvers. The key rules in this section include:
Rule 18 – Mark-Room: Specifies when boats must give each other space to round or pass marks. Notably, in the 2025-2028 edition, Rule 18 has been updated to clarify the obligations of boats when they are rounding or passing marks, aiming to reduce misunderstandings and improve safety during mark roundings.
Rule 19 – Room to Pass an Obstruction: Outlines when a boat must give another boat room to pass an obstruction, which can include anchored vessels, shallow areas, or other stationary objects.
Rule 20 – Room to Tack at an Obstruction: Describes the hailing and response procedures when a boat needs to tack to avoid an obstruction and requires room from another boat to do so safely.
Additionally, the preamble to Section C has been reworded in the 2025-2028 edition to clarify that Section C rules do not apply between boats when the mark or obstruction is a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or its anchor line, from the time the boats are approaching it to start until they have left it astern.
These rules collectively ensure that boats navigate marks and obstructions safely and fairly, maintaining the integrity of the competition.
Let’s have a look at these more complex rules…
Rule 20.1 – Hailing
Rule 20.1 applies when a boat needs to tack to avoid an obstruction and wants another boat to give room. This rule ensures safe tacking in tight situations, especially near shorelines, obstructions, or other boats.
Rule 18 – MARK-ROOM
A general introduction to Rule 18, where it fits into the bigger picture, its relationship with Rule 43, the meaning of mark-room and room and the concept of lanes…
Rule 18.1
Rule 18.1 is a rule that states when rule 18 applies and then list some scenarios where Rule 18 expressly does not applies. Prior to this, Section C also offers us…
Rule 18.2 – Giving Mark-Room
Rule 18.2 is all about giving mark-room. The rule is in place because traffic around a mark can be hectic. Rule 18.2 gives specific rights and obligations to certain boats…
Rule 18.3 – Tacking in the zone
Rule 18.3 is all about safely rounding the windward mark where one boat is on port and the other on starboard leaving the mark on port…
Rule 18.4 – Gybing in the zone
Rule 18.4 is all about the leeward mark and boats sailing their proper course. This means not sailing further from the mark than is required…
Rule 19.1 – When Rule 19 Applies
This rule defines when Rule 19 (Room at an Obstruction) applies. It does not apply when Rule 18 applies. With a continuous obstruction, Rule 19 always applies.
Rule 19.2 – Giving room at an obstruction
Racing Rule of Sailing (RRS) 19.2 concerns Giving Room at an Obstruction and outlines the rights and obligations of boats when passing an obstruction.
Need a ruling or advice?
Fill out the form below with as much detail as possible describing the event. This includes boat size, weather conditions, seastate etc…