RULE 12
On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped
When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, the boat clear astern keeps clear of the boat clear ahead.
Same tack, no overlap: the trailing boat (clear astern) must keep clear of the boat clear ahead. A faster boat catching up must steer around — it cannot simply sail into the boat ahead and claim an overlap was established unfairly.
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upwindsame-tackclear-asternclear-aheadright-of-way
How it interacts with other rules
- Rule 11 — On the Same Tack, Overlapped · see also
Once an overlap is established, rule 11 takes over from rule 12.
- Rule 15 — Acquiring Right of Way · see also
A boat that becomes clear ahead, or establishes an overlap to leeward, has only just acquired right of way (rule 15).