Ellen MacArthur wrote:
Oh. (face turns red)
you should post a picture


That's easy. It's when the wind is *attacking* the port side of the boat. The sail's on the
starboard side.

But which side is the port side when you're going backwards?

....


| Are you sure of that? Is this your final answer?

Yes, that's my final answer passing signals are for motor boats only. Rule 34 says it.

Read the International version of the Rule 34 carefully and try again.

BTW, aside from this issue, I don't think there's anything that
prevents a sailboat from responding, especially under 34(a)(ii). If
I'm being passed by a ferry that gives me a toot, I'll usually respond
that I agree.



| Hey, I asked you, what do think the answer is? If two boats are
| together on a broad reach, one normal, the other going backwards by
| backing the sail, are they on the same tack or different?

Sorry, I thought it was a rhetorical question. :-(
That's a good question. I'd say neither. That's because the wind's attacking the same side
of both of them so they're on the same tack. But doesn't the definition also say the sail is supposed
to be on the opposite side? So the one going forward is on the port tack and the one with the backed
sail's sorta halfway in between.

Its the same question as before - does the port and starboard side
change if you're going backwards?