Gene Fuller wrote:
Walt wrote:

Boat W is to windward of boat L approaching the starting line on a
close reach with her boom outboard of the gunwales in order to slow
down. Boat M comes up from clear astern of boat W and tries to go in
between boat W and boat L. At the moment the overlap begins, there is
enough space for M to pass between the hulls of boat W and L, but not
enough space for her to pass between W's boom and L. Is M entitled to
room here?


It is not apparent that Rule 18 applies at all. You did not say anything
about the proximity to starting line marks so it is not clear whether
18.1(a) is in effect.

You are right that I didn't say anything about proximity to the starting
marks. This happened in the middle of the line far from the starting
marks. The only obstructions in the picture are other boats. 18.1 is
not in effect.

The leeward boat (obstruction) does not have a
required side, so that would also eliminate Rule 18 from consideration.

Um, no.

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.

Read that carefully. A *mark* must have a required side for rule 18 to
apply, but an obstruction need not have a required side. All that has
to happen is for the boats to be passing the obstruction on the same
side and rule 18 applies.

Boats that you are required to avoid are obstructions. In particular, L
is an obstruction to M and W because they must keep clear of L. It's a
continuing obstruction because M and W will be sailing along side it for
a while.

//Walt