Posted by Gwyn on June 19, 2001 at 11:37:07 from 203.164.3.170:
Swallowdale. The Race.
A northerly wind is blowing and Swallow and Amazon have left Houseboat Bay and are sailing
on starboard tack (booms out on port side) down past Wild Cat Island.
Amazon is sailing between the eastern shore of the lake and the island, and Swallow is running
down the western side of the island. At the low end of the island, John jibes Swallow onto port tack
and heads close hauled towards Amazon. John says "She's still running free. We're close hauled. She's got to
keep out of our way" Amazon must still be on starboard tack because John watched as Amazon, now clear of the
outer rocks, come close to the wind (no mention of jibing) and head out across the lake still on starboard tack.
When Swallow and Amazon met at the foot of the lake, Swallow was on port tack and Amazon was on starboard.
As I understand it, the basic right of way rules for avoiding collision are:
If boats are on the same tack, the windward boat has to keep clear.
If boats are on opposite tacks, the boat on port tack gives way to the boat on starboard tack.
I think John on port tack should have given way to Nancy on Starboard.
Have I got it wrong, did John get it wrong, or have the rules changed since the 1930s?