SAILBOARD
LEEWARD MARKAdvanced

Overlap obtained too late

The situation

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 question

Does the overlap she made inside the zone entitle Blue to mark-room?

The ruling

No. Mark-room is locked in the moment the first boat reaches the zone. Blue was clear astern then, so she gets no mark-room even though she later gets an inside overlap inside the zone (rule 18.2(a)(2) — and the obligation continues even when a new overlap begins). Green keeps her room; Blue must keep clear and round behind. To earn the inside, you must have the overlap clearly established before the zone. The animation shows Blue's late overlap getting shut out.

Key point

An inside overlap made after the zone gives you no mark-room — get it established before the zone or round behind (rule 18.2(a)(2)).

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 Too Late.

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.

  • The overlap breaks before the mark · Leeward Mark

    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.

  • 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.

  • Which gate mark? · Leeward Mark

    The leeward mark is a gate (two marks). Coming down overlapped on the inside, Owen is committed to rounding the left-hand gate mark; the outside boat is set up for the same one.

Related guide

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