Racing Rules of Sailing

16.2

In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not bear away if as a result the port-tack boat must change course immediately to continue keeping clear.

Related Cases & Q&A

Case 6

A starboard-tack boat that tacks after a port-tack boat has borne away to go astern of her does not necessarily break a rule .

Case 92

When a right-of-way boat changes course, the keep-clear boat is required to act only in response to what the right-of-way boat is doing at the time; she is not required to anticipate what the right-of-way boat might do subsequently.

Case 132

Interpretation of the phrase ‘on a beat to windward’.

Preferred Wordings

Rule 16.2 Bearing Away on a Beat
On a beat to windward while Y on port was keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of X on starboard, X, by bearing away, forced Y to change course immediately to continue keeping clear and broke RRS 16.2.
Rule F2.16.2 Bearing Away on a Beat (Appendix F)
On a beat to windward while Y on port was keeping clear by sailing to pass to leaward of X on starboard, X, by [bearing away] [changing the position of her kite) forced Y to [change course][change the position of her kite] immeadiately to continue keeping clear and broke RRS F2.16.2.

Section B — General Limitations