Linda and Willy are both on port gybe, approaching the leeward mark
on a run. Willy is clear ahead before reaching the 2-length zone, and
stays clear ahead (but just barely) as they reach the mark. Willy
hardens up to close-hauled on port, and Linda does the same, rounding
wide and going faster than Willy, ending up overlapped to leeward.

18.2(c) says:

If a boat was clear ahead at the time she reached the
two-length zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep
clear. If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped outside the
other boat, she shall also give the inside boat room.

and 15 says:

When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the
other boat room to keep clear

Given those two things, how much room does Linda have to give, and for
how long? Can Willy foot off, or is he obligated to assume a proper
course to the next mark (i.e. close hauled)? If Linda can point
higher than Willy (for whatever reason), when can she begin to
exercise her rights to come up to her proper course and force Willy to
tack away?

Roy Smith wrote:

Linda and Willy are both on port gybe, approaching the leeward mark
on a run. Willy is clear ahead before reaching the 2-length zone, and
stays clear ahead (but just barely) as they reach the mark. Willy
hardens up to close-hauled on port, and Linda does the same, rounding
wide and going faster than Willy, ending up overlapped to leeward.

18.2(c) says:

If a boat was clear ahead at the time she reached the
two-length zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep
clear. If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped outside the
other boat, she shall also give the inside boat room.

and 15 says:

When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the
other boat room to keep clear

Given those two things, how much room does Linda have to give, and for
how long? Can Willy foot off, or is he obligated to assume a proper
course to the next mark (i.e. close hauled)? If Linda can point
higher than Willy (for whatever reason), when can she begin to
exercise her rights to come up to her proper course and force Willy to
tack away?

Look at rule 18 and when it applies.

Rule 18 applies when boats are about to round or pass a mark they
are required to leave on the same side, or an obstruction on the
same side, **until they have passed it.** (emphasis mine)

Thus Rule 18 is in effect until both boats have passed the mark. Since
there was no overlap at the TLZ, Rule 18c says Linda must keep clear
"thereafter" (i.e. as long as Rule 18 applies). Furthermore, Rule 18
trumps Rule 11 (winwdard-leeward)

So, Linda obtains the right of way when both boats have passed the mark,
not when the overlap is established. Once both boats have passed the
mark she obtains the right of way as leeward boat, at that time she must
initially give Willie room to keep clear, but may head up consistent
with rule 15.

how much room does Linda have to give,

Linda must keep clear, i.e. give Willie as much room as he wants to
take. See the definition of "keep clear"


and for how long?

Linda must keep clear until both boats have passed the mark.


Can Willy foot off, or is he obligated to assume a proper
course to the next mark (i.e. close hauled)?

Until both boats have passed the mark, Willie is the ROW boat. He can
sail wherever he wants within the usual limitations of a ROW boat.
Nothing compels him to sail a proper course.


If Linda can point
higher than Willy (for whatever reason), when can she begin to
exercise her rights to come up to her proper course and force Willy to
tack away?

When both boats have passed the mark and rule 18 no longer applies.
Note that Linda is bound by rule 17a and may sail no higher than her
proper course.




//Walt