In article ,
DSK wrote:

BTW, I've searched through the rules and the casebook for examples of
the notion of "equipment in normal position" and I don't see anything
that applies here. Maybe I'm missing something...


Is there a defined "normal position" for gear when
maneuvering to start? There is no definite course or point
of sail.

There's certainly nothing unseamanlike about letting your main luff so you
can slow down. I do that whenever I'm picking up a mooring or sailing up
to a dock.

The whole "normal position" thing is really about the reason something is
where it is. If it's there because there's some boat-handling reason for
it to be there, then it's "normal". If it's only there because it gives
you some tactical advantage to have it sticking out, then it's not "normal".

"My boom was way out because I was luffing my main to slow down so I
wouldn't be over early", that's normal position. "My boom was way out
because I wanted to keep leeward boats away", that's not normal position.