RRS on One Page

Knowledge of the Racing Rules of Sailing is always a relative thing.  Yesterday over post-race beers we were rehashing a tangle at the downwind mark and it was a clear case of a relatively new sailor violating Rule 18.2(b). She was clear astern of another boat entering the zone, but as the boat entitled to mark room started going a bit wide to round the mark closely, she dashed inside, yelling "overlap" and no doubt thinking she had been clever.  The helm of the boat entitled to mark room begged to differ and in any case it was too late and they bumped each other.

So, we started to set up a reconstruction of the event on the table, using beer mugs and iPhones representing the mark, boats, etc.  As the new sailor began to argue her case in an animated fashion with all the props, I innocently asked "OK, but first - where is the zone?"  She replied "What's that?"

So, I explained what the zone is and the basics of Rule 18.  She understood, admitted her mistake and took it all in good grace. The bumped boat entitled to markroom likewise took it in stride and all was forgiven.

This morning, the helm of the bumped boat sent the following chart to all members of the club and I wanted to share it here - it is excellent.