Jeff Morris wrote:


Rule 17(a) means that a port tack close hauled boat is standon wrt a
starboard tack boat running free. Under the current rules, of course, a
starboard tack boat is always standon wrt port tackers (not counting
overtaking situations!)

Note that is is the opposite of the old racing rule the DSK mentioned
whereby a spinnaker is standon wrt closed hauled. Otherwise, it would
have been worth a half point.

Jeff, do you know why the rule was changed? Was it because there were to many bozos out there who were unable to tell the difference between running
free and sailing close hauled? Perhaps more likely two vessels on opposite tacks but near a beam reach, could get into an argument about who was
running more free?

Cheers
Marty