The run — Rule 17, overlaps, and proper course

Downwind looks slower, but the rules are tighter. Rule 17 caps your luff after gaining an overlap from clear astern. Overlaps form and break differently here.

Rule 17 — Proper Course After Gaining a Leeward Overlap

Proper course, after gaining an overlap from clear astern.

You Overtook to Leeward — Now Give Room (Rule 12 → 11 → 15)

Overtaking to leeward — take what's yours, but not instantly.

Starboard Squeezes Between Two Port Boats Downwind — Who's Wrong?

Continuing obstruction is not a get-out clause.

Can the Leeward Boat Head Up On Me? (Case 14)

The leeward boat doesn't owe you a straight line to the mark.

Overtaking a Slower Boat to Leeward — When Does Right of Way Flip? (Case 41)

Rule 12 → 19.2(b) → 11 → 15, in the space of one overtake.

Clear Astern on Starboard — How Is the Foul Mine? (Case 30)

Blanket the boat ahead and cause contact — that's on you.

She Dove Into the Gap Below You — Did You Owe Her Room? (Case 29)

A boat under way isn't a "continuing obstruction" — could you have given room from the start?

She Came From Behind, Then Luffed You Up — Can She Do That? (Case 46)

Leeward boat can luff up TO her proper course — even when she came from behind.

Case 105 — Luffed Downwind: Why Holding Your Course Gets You DSQ'd

Running on port, luffed by starboard — hold your course and you're out.

Is a Jockey Pole Legal? (Case 97)

One word — sheet vs guy — makes it legal.

Rule 17 — You Can't Force the Leeward Boat Above Proper Course

A leeward overlap from astern locks you to your own proper course.

Rule 12: Clear Ahead vs Clear Astern — Who Keeps Clear?

Same tack, no overlap — the boat clear astern keeps clear.

Overlapped Downwind — Rule 11 Still Applies

Downwind isn't a free-for-all — Rule 11 still decides who keeps clear.

Someone's Climbing Your Transom Downwind — Who Gives Way?

Downwind, being ahead means nothing — the boom decides who gives way.

Overlapped Downwind — Why the Leeward Boat Holds Right of Way

Overlapped downwind, the leeward boat is protected by Rule 11.

Boat Climbing Your Transom on Opposite Tacks — Gybe to Flip It

Being ahead downwind is worth nothing on the wrong tack — one gybe fixes it.

Catching Up Downwind Doesn't Earn You Right of Way (Rule 12)

Closing the gap downwind buys you no rights until an overlap actually forms.

Two Boats Running Downwind — How to Tell Who's on Which Tack

Dead downwind, the boom names the tack when the heading can't.

Running Side-by-Side Downwind — How to Find Which Boat Is Leeward

Side by side downwind, leeward is found from the wind, not from below.

It Looks Like a Crossing — But Check the Sails First

Same-side sails mean same tack — Rule 11 governs, not Rule 10.

Same Tack, No Overlap — Clear Astern Keeps Clear (Rule 12)

No overlap, same tack — the boat behind keeps clear, full stop.