Roy Smith wrote:
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.

Not that I can find anywhere.

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".

Or if it's there by mistake, like letting a line drag behind you.


"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.

I agree with you on the meaning of "normal position", however there is
nothing in the rules stating that you have to keep your equipment in
normal position. In that regard it's sort of like the concept of
"proper course" - we can agree on what it means, but there are actually
only a few situations where the rules explicitly state that you must
sail a proper course. Likewise, the only place I can find a notion of
"equipment in normal position" is in the definitions of Overlap and
Finish, and those cites don't proscribe having gear out of normal
position.

So, on the one hand, there is nothing in the rules compelling a boat to
keep her gear in normal position. On the other hand, there are a few
examples of boats being DQed or penalized for deliberately placing their
equipment out of normal position for a tactical advantage. Is this one
of them?

Maybe Doug has it right with "there is no telling what a protest
committe will decide."

//Walt