The Rules of Yachting
Thanks to Sailing Anarchy Website for this simplified interpretation of the rules
A lot of people simply don't understand the rules and it would be a lot easier for all concerned if everyone made a little bit of an effort to find out.
Having just been appointed Chairman of Rules here at the Royal Mega and Sailing, I took the trouble to undertake a bit of a refresher myself, awfully embarrassing to be caught out in my position you know old chap. Simply wouldn't do.
But I have to admit there have been a lot of changes since we raced coracle class at the Junior Club. Someone's even gone to the trouble of writing a book of rules for sail boat racing and damn useful guide it is too. Should have been done years ago.
I was interested to learn that if the wind is coming from your right hand side then you are the right of way boat. Damn sensible and easy to remember that.
And if someone is behind you and traveling fast enough to be catching up, then they jolly well should regard you as a stationary object to be avoided. All good stuff.
And if you sail to windward of a chap, you can't expect any sympathy if he rounds up in a gust and bumps you - your fault again I'm afraid.
And at marks, its really a case of whoever gets there first has first dibs. And if you get there together then it would be poor form to force the one nearest the mark to bump into it for want of leaving enough room for them to turn the boat.
Now all other things being equal there you basically have it.
