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A chronic problem for sure, and seems like a rubics cube to newer Scot sailors. But user error is usually the problem.
1:1 works just fine. When it builds, and you need more mechanical advantage, switch to 2:1.
Also, manage the sheets better IE don’t allow the jib to luff excessvely. Snug the lazy sheet so when it’s time to tack, there’s not a lot of extra sheet flailing aorund to get caught on stuff. Head up, jib backwinds, release jib sheet and immediately pull the new jib sheet. Voila. Problem solved.
Rule 17 places a limit on the right-of-way (ROW) boat. ALL the rules – 14, 15, 16, 17 – in Section B (General Limitations) place limits on the ROW boat. It’s kinda like ‘Hey great…you’re ROW…but you can’t just do whatever you want buddy’.
If you are coming from behind (IE overtaking) on the same tack in close proximity (within two boat lengths), at some point you’ll be the leeward boat, overlapped with the other boat which is now the windward (keep clear) boat. The windward boat has to keep clear under Rule 11 (I’m skipping Rule 12, 14,15 and 16.1 to keep it simple). You, the new leeward boat, are in fact ROW…but you can’t take the windward boat above proper course because of the limits placed on you by Rule 17. You became the leeward boat because you came from astern within two boat lengths, which triggers 17.
And now the games begin as you and the other boat argue over what proper course is. As you alluded earlier, the leeward/ROW boat has a lot of leeway here; I would never want to be in the room defending why I didn’t head up when I was to windward of another boat. Lots of proactive hailing can ward off a ton of ill will, protests, confusion, and awkwardness at the keg later. Almost no one understands this rule, so take a close look at who you’re snuggling up to before you get close; newer sailors have no idea and really good sailors are also surprisingly rough on this stuff or pretend to be…and stubborn and bossy.
In review, as you catch up to a boat clear ahead (typical leeward mark consolidation), you gotta notice what tack you and the other guy are on. If you’re on the same tack and you’re close and and become overlapped, you will likely be limited by Rule 17 on how high up you can take the windward boat.
Rules that apply: As you approach from clear astern on same tack, Rule 12 says you keep clear. Then Rule 15 says ‘hey great…you’ve acquired ROW…but give the other guy a sec or two to respond to your newfound right-of-wayness before you get too sassy’. Then 16.1 says you gotta give him room to keep clear as you change course and take him higher. Then – if you came from clear astern and within two boatlengths – you are limited by Rule 17. And the entire time, Rule 14 says avoid collision no matter what. I know. A lot of rules.
Nice work around. However, a small warning:
At Lake Norman Community Sailing on Lake Norman, we have 14 flying Scots. Our sailors, who are mostly new to sailing, are very good at bending boom crutches. I decided to replace them (the crutches, not the sailors) with galvanized pipe material from Home Depot. The solution has worked well, except it is very easy for a novice user to tear up the boat if the boom crotch is not correctly placed into the cup on the floor of the boat…which means a fiberglass repair in an area where balsa ain’t far away. I think I might try your aluminum idea, which will bend/break before tearing up boat I suspect.Despite the big weather event, I had an overall great time for all the reasons others have mentioned. Stuff happens; we all know that. The fleet response was something I’ll never forget. And of course we all learned a thing or two that we can take back to our own clubs.
