How well do you know the new 2009-2012 racing rules?
by David Dellenbaugh

Here is an excerpt from the latest version of the Racing Rules IQ test from Speed &Smarts! This year's test has brand new questions that are designed to find out how well you understand the new 2009-2012 edition of the rulebook. This special IQ test focuses on the changes in the new rules. You can take it with an open rulebook, or if you'd like a challenge similar to what you will face on the race course, try it first without looking at the rules.

Many of the test topics were covered in issue #104 of Speed & Smarts which explained the rule changes. When you finish the test, check your answers below. Extended answers can be found in issue #106 of Speed & Smarts. Good Luck!

TRUE or FALSE?

Changes in the Definitions

  1. Whenever a boat is entitled to mark-room, this includes space to tack if that is her proper course around the mark.
    T     F
  2. When a racing boat is steering a course that will just miss a large obstacle, that object is not considered an obstruction.
    T     F

  3. A tugboat moving through the course could be considered a continuing obstruction.
    T     F

  4. When a boat entitled to markroom is at the mark, she can sail her proper course.
    T     F

  5. Mark-room includes space for a boat to sail a seamanlike course to the mark.
    T     F

  6. An object that is big enough to be an obstruction for one boat might not be an obstruction for another boat.
    T     F

  7. A boat is not fetching a mark unless she can pass on its windward side without sailing above a closehauled course.
    T     F

  8. A boat that is racing is never considered to be a continuing obstruction.
    T     F

  9. When only a boat's spinnaker is in the zone, she is not considered to be "in the zone".
    T     F


  10. Two boats sailing downwind on opposite tacks are not considered to be overlapped unless they are subject to Rule 18.
    T     F


  11. The terms clear ahead, clear astern and overlap always apply to boats that are on the same tack.
    T     F

  12. The zone is always circular in shape.
    T     F

  13. There is never a zone around an obstruction.
    T     F

New Section C Rules

  1. A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side.
    T     F

  2. A boat required to give markroom must always continue to do so until the other boat has passed the mark.
    T     F

  3. A leeward boat is not permitted to hail for room to tack at an obstruction if the boat to the windward of her is fetching it.
    T     F

  4. Rule 19 (Room to pass an obstruction) never applies at the race committee boat.
    T     F

  5. If two boats were overlapped when the first one entered the zone, the outside boat must thereafter give markroom to the inside boat.
  6. Rule 18 (Mark-Room) does not apply unless both boats are in the zone.
    T     F

  7. Aboat can hail for room to tack at a mark if it is also an obstruction.
    T     F

  8. If one boat tacks inside the zone and a fetching boat then must change course to avoid her, the boat that tacked must take a penalty.
    T     F

  9. When a boat is taking markroom to which she is entitled, she will be exonerated if she breaks rule 16(Changing Course).
    T     F

  10. Rule 18 (Mark-Room) never applies at a mark that is also a continuing obstruction.
    T     F

  11. If one boat hails for room to tack and the hailed boat thinks the hail is too early, she is still required to respond.

    T     F

  12. When a port-tack boat enters the zone clear ahead of a starboard tacker, the port-tacker has the right of way until they pass the mark and rule 18 turns off.
    T     F

  13. When a boat gets an inside overlap from clear astern, she is never entitled to mark-room unless the outside boat has been able to give mark-room from the moment the overlap began.
    T     F

Dave publishes the newsletter
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