You English language guys always get me confused with the port and starboard designations that are different then ours but if :
S has rounded the windward mark, hoisted their spinaker and is headed downwind on starboard.
P is coming into the windward mark on Port and is close hauled.
Wouldn't P ALWAYS have right of way over the spi boat ?
If P has the boom hanging over the port side of his boat and is closed hauled then P has all the right of way rules in his favour and doesn't have to give way to anyone.
And when P has its boom hanging over he starboard side of his boat then both P and S have their booms handing over the same side of their boats and the rule Luff gives way to lee applies; again favouring the boat that is close hauled.
So either way the spinnaker boat needs to keep clear.
Am I missing something here ?
Ehhh, unless the P boat is right on the port layline to the weather mark and S is running down this line from the weather mark. Then the spi boat has right of way. But no sailor in their right mind should approach the weather mark on the port layline ever, that is just stupid.
Wouter
