Know Your Rules

April 14, 2025

The rules have changed – Rule 19 and some definitions

In the last article, I discussed the changes to rule 18, mark-room. This time, I am going to discuss the change in the definition of mark-room, obstruction, continuing obstruction and a change in rule 19, obstructions.

The 2021-2024 rules, in the definition of mark-room, listed two stages, room to sail to the mark and room to pass the mark.  There was no obvious end.  Rule 18.1(b) says “Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when mark-room has been given”.  It had been given when the mark had been passed since that was the end of the definition of mark-room, but that was not very clear.  A third part (c) has been added to the definition of mark-room, in the 2025-2028 rules, which says, “to leave it astern”.  Once the boat entitled to mark-room has left the mark-astern, she has been given mark-room and rule 18 ends.
The 2021-2024 rules included room to pass the mark “without touching the mark”.  That was redundant since the definition of room says, “including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31.”  Rule 31 is the rule that tells boats not to touch marks.  This redundant phrase has been deleted.
Finally, the 2021-2024 definition of mark-room ended in a paragraph about room including room to tack under specific circumstances.  That was confusing since as soon as the boat entitled to mark-room passed head to wind, rule 18 turned off.  This has also been eliminated.
There is a new definition for a continuing obstruction in the 2025-2028 rules. Rule 19.2(c), previously referred to a continuing obstruction, but it was never defined.  There was a sentence at the end of the definition of obstruction that listed some things that were not continuing obstructions.  These are all now in the new definition, which also specifies how long you have to be able pass alongside an obstruction, for it to be continuing obstruction.
Other than removing the restriction on continuing obstructions, there is very little change in the definition of obstruction itself.  One change is that it previous said that an area designated in the sailing instructions could be an obstruction.  Now it can be designated in any rule.  The sailing instructions are rules so they can still designate an obstruction, but the notice of race can as well.
 

March 10, 2025

The rules have changed – Rule 18 – Mark-room

In the last article, I discussed the changes to rules 17 and 20. This time, I am going to discuss mark-room or rule 18. If you look at a marked-up version of the changes to Rule 18, it will appear that almost the entire rule has been rewritten. Most of the changes involve sequence, formatting and numbering.

February 26, 2025

The Rules Have Changed - Summary

I started this series of articles in January 1997 when the Yacht Racing Rules were completely rewritten to create the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Every four years since then there has been a new edition, published the year after the Olympic Games.  Every edition has some changes.  Most of them have very little effect on how we sail.  Usually, they close up some loopholes or attempt to make the rules easier to understand.  The new edition has now been released and it takes effect January 1, 2025.  The Sail Canada printed version should be available soon.  The full new book can be found at https://d7qh6ksdplczd.cloudfront.net/sailing/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12231159/2025-2028-RRS-with-Changes-and-Corrections-v-2.pdf  Some regattas over the winter may elect to use the 2021-2024 rules so check the Notice of Race (always a good idea).  I expect that any races at RCYC this year will use the new book.

February 09, 2025

The Rules Have Changed – Rule 17 and Rule 20

In the last article I discussed the changes to rule 14.  This time I am going to discuss two changes.  Rule 17 On the same tack, proper course and Rule 20 Room to tack at an obstruction.  Rule 17 is the rule to discuss who has the right to luff.  It says that if a leeward boat establishes an overlap from clear astern within two boat lengths of the windward boat, then the leeward boat cannot go above her proper course.  There was an exception to this in the 2021-2024 rules which has disappeared. 

 

January 06, 2025

The Rules Have Changed - Rule 14 Avoiding Contact

This is the first in a series of articles describing the changes in the rules for 2025.  The new rules take effect on January 1^st.  They can be found here.

December 18, 2024

Limitations on Right of Way Boats - Changing Course

The last article described the limitations on a right-of-way boat when she first establishes right of way.  This time we are going to look at rule 16 which puts limits on right-of-way boats when they alter course.