STARTINGBeginner

Bumping the committee boat

The situation

Reaching in for a boat-end start, Luca misjudges the layline and his bow bumps the committee boat just before the gun.

The question

The committee boat isn't a rounding mark — does touching it count?

The ruling

Yes. The committee boat is a starting mark, and a boat that is racing — you're racing from your preparatory signal — must not touch a mark (rule 31). Luca must take a One-Turn Penalty (one tack and one gybe) once he's clear of other boats, under rule 44. The same goes for the pin. If another boat had forced him onto it while he was entitled to room, he'd be exonerated (rule 43), but a simple misjudgement means he does his turn.

Key point

The committee boat and pin are marks — touch one and it's a One-Turn Penalty (rule 31).

Play this on the board

Opens the situation on the boat-length grid — scrub it and see exactly how the boats meet. Free, no account needed.

Rules cited

See the underlying rule: Rule 31Touching the Committee Boat.