RULE 17
Rolling Through to Leeward (Downwind)
Rolling up to leeward from clear astern on a run, the new leeward boat has right of way but may not sail above her proper course.
Downwind, a boat that catches another and establishes a leeward overlap from clear astern within two hull lengths becomes the right-of-way boat (rule 11) — but rule 17 forbids her from sailing above her proper course while the overlap lasts. She can roll through and draw even, but she can't luff the windward boat up. Rule 15 also gave the windward boat room to keep clear when the overlap formed.
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downwindproper-courseleewardoverlaprule-17
How it interacts with other rules
- Rule 17 — On the Same Tack; Proper Course · see also
The same proper-course limit on a reach.
- Rule 12 — On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped · see also
While still clear astern she kept clear under rule 12.