"I guess I'm more concerned about what happens if our STRB boat is coming in near the midpoint of the gate, PORT boat(s) can't know for sure which way he's going to go through the gate. If he wants to go left (looking down course), they need to make room for his gybe; if he wants to go right, they need to make room for his harden up. Until it becomes clear which, the port boats will have a hard time."

OK, Matt and I can only say this so many times... the zones should not overlap. I would think you'd have an excellent case to have the race tossed if you filed for redress.

While we're name-dropping / saber-rattling...

I ran the gate boat at the M30 Worlds in Newport in 2008. Peter Reggio (Luigi) was the PRO. The gates were dialed in at 8 lengths (using GPS and a laser range finder), except on the day it was blowing high 20s, then it was 10 lengths. No way in the world those zones would ever, ever be allowed to overlap. The IJ was also composed of rock-star international judges.

Having said that, I am reading the scenario above with the assumption that the gate is the correct width. If that is the case, the guy on port has little to worry about if he is inside the zone going to the port gate mark (looking upwind). He is entitled to mark room at that mark (assumes it can be given). The starboard guy in the middle of the gate only has starboard rights at that point (since he won't be in the zone of either mark in a properly set gate).

Hope this helps.

Mike

Couple of things as I think about this some more...

First, all the jokes about throwing the PRO overboard (or worse)... Obviously, most of us here have far too much class to go in that direction.

If the zones overlap for one race, it is very possible that there was a bad set that couldn't be fixed before the first boats arrived at the gate (for that rounding); or that something ugly happened and a mark got dragged by a wayward rudder or daggerboard (I know, hard to believe that it would get TIGHTER, but anything can and does happen...).

If that's the case and the rest of the races are fine, let it go.

However, if the zones overlap all day long, the fleet needs to have a rational discussion with the PRO about this. Most likely, this would be an inexperienced PRO, so your goal here is to coach him. If he's a pinhead and ignores you, don't invite him back.

Now, if I'm the PRO and this happens (zones overlap all day), PLEASE KILL ME!!! That would be a sign that I've lost all control over my mark boat operators, or blood has stopped circulating to my brain, or something equally horrible and I need to be put out of my misery!!!

OK, let's go back to the possibility that for ONE rounding, you have a gate that has overlapping zones, and the PRO decided to let it ride (or doesn't have an N flag, or the mark boat refuses to fly it [been there for another issue], etc.)...

How do you all think the rules apply here? I'm sure this is at least one reason that the gate width isn't strictly defined in the rules.

My sense is that not much changes. Starboard inside at the starboard mark will have right of way, and is inside at the atarboard mark, cannot expect to go to the port mark inside of a port tack boat coming inside at the port mark (all looking upwind). The port tack boat does not have right of way, but is entitled to mark room (if it can be given) for the port mark.

I'm with Matt, I'm coming into this situation on starboard at the starboard gate. Anything else is just asking for trouble. Got to go with the high percentage plays, and in our sport, port is by definition low-percentage.

EDIT: If there's a port parade in this situation (as described at the beginning of this thread), it's pucker time... slow down and expect to lose some positions. They were ahead of you anyway...

Mike