World Sailing Official Case Book
Case 35
When a boat hails ‘Room to tack’ at an obstruction and the hailed boat replies ‘You tack’, and the hailing boat is then able to tack and avoid the hailed boat in a seamanlike way, the hailed boat has complied with rule 20.2(c).
Facts
As two close-hauled boats approached a shore, L hailed ‘Room to tack’. W replied ‘You tack’ and L then tacked immediately. After tacking, L bore away in a controlled way and passed under W’s stern, which she cleared by three feet (1 m) or more. L protested W under rule 20.2(c). The boats were 15 feet (4.5 m) in length and the wind was moderate. The protest committee decided that W failed to give room as required by rule 20.2(c) and disqualified her. W appealed.
Decision
W’s appeal is upheld, and she is to be reinstated. L was able to tack and avoid W while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way. W therefore met her obligation under rule 20.2(c) to give L room, as defined in the definition Room.