SAILBOARD
LEEWARD MARKAdvanced

The overlap breaks before the mark

The situation

Blue is the outside overlapped boat as they reach the zone, so she owes Green mark-room. Then Blue drops back and the overlap breaks before they get to the mark.

The question

Does Blue still owe Green room once the overlap has broken?

The ruling

Yes. The obligation locks in at the moment the first boat reaches the zone and isn't lost if the overlap later breaks (rule 18.2(a): a boat required to give mark-room must continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new one begins). Blue was overlapped outside at the zone, so she must give Green mark-room all the way round — even though she's now clear astern. Falling behind doesn't release her from giving the room. The animation shows the overlap breaking while Green still gets her full rounding.

Key point

Overlapped outside at the zone? You owe mark-room for the whole rounding — even if the overlap later breaks (rule 18.2(a)).

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 18.2 — Mark-Room — Overlap Breaks.

Related cases

  • Clear ahead at the zone · Leeward Mark

    Running down to the leeward mark, Green is clear ahead of Blue as the first of them reaches the three-length zone. Blue then lunges for the inside at the last second.

  • Overlap obtained too late · Leeward Mark

    Blue is clear astern as Green reaches the zone, then ranges up and gets an inside overlap once they're already inside the zone, and calls for room.

  • “The overlap broke — so I shut the door” · Leeward Mark

    Blue is the outside overlapped boat as the two reach the leeward-mark zone, so she owes Green mark-room. Coming in, Blue drops back, the overlap breaks, and Blue closes the door at the mark, sure she now owes nothing. The boats touch and Blue protests Green for forcing in.

  • Inside overlap at the leeward mark · Leeward Mark

    Two boats run down to the leeward mark on the same tack. As the first of them reaches the three-length zone, Green is the inside overlapped boat (closer to the mark) and Blue is outside.

Related guide

← All cases