Touching a Mark
A boat that touches a mark must take a One-Turn Penalty (one tack and one gybe) once clear of other boats.
While racing, a boat must not touch a starting, rounding or finishing mark. If she does, she breaks rule 31 and can exonerate herself by promptly taking a One-Turn Penalty under rule 44 — getting well clear of other boats and then making one tack and one gybe (a full 360° turn) in the same direction. She is exonerated only if she was compelled to touch the mark by another boat that broke a rule, or while taking mark-room she was entitled to (rule 43); otherwise she must do the turn.
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How it interacts with other rules
- Rule 18 — Mark-Room · see also
A boat taking mark-room under rule 18 is exonerated for touching the mark only if entitled to that room and forced into it.
Related guides
- Racing Rules of Sailing explained: a beginner's mental model
The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 keep boats apart and racing fair. Here's the mental model: right of way, keep clear, marks, the zone and penalties.
- How to file a sailing protest: the step-by-step
How to file a sailing protest under RRS Part 5: hail "Protest", show your red flag if required, beat the time limit, and write clear, factual evidence.