Rules Seminar (2009/04/30) Follow Up Discussion

Question:

Does the 3 hull length zone include the sprit on an Ultimate 20 going down wind? And does a tipped outboard motor on a T-22 count.

CYA response:

Zone: In the definition of the zone, only the hull is mentioned – hull length is hull length. The bowsprit (or outboard motor) is not part of the hull – if the Zone had meant waterline it would have said waterline (also you would have to define waterline when "upright" or "heeled"). So the Zone is defined by hull length, not boat length.

However, in defining an overlap (or finishing), hull and equipment in its normal position is found only in the definition of Clear Astern / Clear Ahead / Overlap and Finish. For the purpose of establishing an overlap, the skeg of an up-turned motor under the leading edge of the spinnaker of the boat following would count as an overlap.

Question:

There was much discussion about "obstruction" and "continuing obstruction". We get that Antarctica is a continuing obstruction. We get that the RC boat at the finish is an obstruction, but is treated under rule 18 as a mark that the outside boat must give the inside boat room to finish at. Cannot shut them out at the finish. The difference between obstruction and a continuing obstruction is not defined. Some very experienced and knowledgeable sailors had a hard time to accept that oncoming boat(s) could be an obstruction that you could hail for room to avoid.

CYA response:

Marks / Obstructions / Continuing Obstructions
A finish boat is an obstruction surrounded by navigable waters but is also a mark therefore subject to 18.
Antarctica would be a continuing obstruction for any boat sailing towards it and therefore subject to 19.
A pier or long break-wall is a continuing obstruction.
A floating picnic table would be an obstruction for an Opti but not for an Open 70.
A moored 300 foot freighter would be a continuing obstruction assuming you are aiming at the middle, but maybe just an obstruction if you are aiming at the bow and can go on either side.

The CYA Appeals cases about when another boat is a obstruction are 56, 70 and 89.