On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:40:42 -0400, JustWait
wrote:

The sailboat did not have the right of way. The skipper took a
foolish risk and lost the bet.

Rule 18(b)

(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=Rule18

And, I never said otherwise.

However, in international waters, that wouldn't be the case

==============

The rules in international waters are exactly the same with respect to
that situation. See rule 18(b) of the international COLREGS:

http://www.boatingsafety.com/colregs.htm