SAILING BASIC RIGHT OF WAY RULES FOR CATAMARANS AND OTHER BOATS

BASIC SAILING RULES FOR AVOIDING COLLISIONS. We're looking at definitions, port and starboard, windward and leeward, overtaking boat rules.
If both boats are under sail then a boat on PORT TACK gives way to a boat on STARBOARD TACK
If the boats are both on the same tack, then the WINDWARD BOAT gives way to the downwind boat
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If both boats are under sail then a boat on PORT TACK gives way to a boat on STARBOARD TACK
If the boats are both on the same tack, then the WINDWARD BOAT gives way to the downwind boat

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[mccarrollcraft]

You don't know the amount of times I get cut off by motor boats, most of the time they try to race me and they always cut me off. I think people in motor boats need to see this video more then other sailors. Thanks for this I hope people see this video.

[francklepesant]

Thank You Joe. These rules are always confusing and intimidating for the beginner. You made it very clear.

[shawnfleming]

Great video! always a great job explaining things.

[phillipmorgan]

thanks for this useful guide and the diagrams also helped; first time I've had this properly explained

[robertzeeland]

13:10 LOL! G.S.o.H. counts for me. Best, Rob

[FRDETsdfs]

Wow, excellent communication skills, and while sailing a boat! More instructional videos!

[AdventuresThings]

This is such a great video. I am going to watch it at least a dozen more times just so all the info sets in

[matthewrosenberg]

Fantastic video! Easily understood. Keep producing more informative videos like these, Joe. 👍🏻

[verab.]

Fantastic video, thank you! Watching it as a skipper's course prep.

[stdibfp]

Very good explanation, and very good showing 👍

[Njk-ho]

Very Informative and easy to understand. Thank you so much Joe.

[brook]

best rules vid today! also, your boat is set up nice with the travelers

[IWLDELJ]

For those that are curious, rules of the road basically (with caveats) boil down to a hierarchy of mobility. Typically, the less mobile vessel is the "stand on" vessel. This isn't exactly an unlimited right of way. "Stand on" vessels have their own responsibilities, they are supposed to maintain their current course and speed as best as they can practically and predictably maintain it. A more maneuverable vessel to a situation's "stand on" vessel is the "give way" vessel. Both vessels are responsible for avoiding collision.

Other than some likely mistakes I'll make and later return to correct, the basic hierarchy is this:

(Properly) Anchored vessels
stand on
working vessels
stand on
swimmers
stand on
surfers
stand on
rowers
stand on
starboard tack sailors
stand on
windward sailors
stand on
leeward sailors
stand on
port tack sailors
stand on
motor vessels
stand on
overtaking vessels.

[josephlai]

Very well explained with clear real life scenarios. Thank you so much.

[TomKirkman]

If the power boat is not moving, like all stationary boats, it has the right of way and moving boats must steer clear. The general idea is that the less manueverable boat will give way. For instance, an oil tanker, even under power, would be considered less maneuverable than a sailboat and would have right of way.

[AfterDeath]

Got a day skippers course Aug 6th for my 40' Cutter rigged sailboat :) yeah, jumped in with both feet couple years back, but love it.

Your Hobie 16s look like fun though guys 👍👍👍 and the video helped a lot 👍👍👍

[jaryH]

Be nice and make the manoeuvre soon enough and large enough so it is clear to the other boat what is going on and will understand. That is the "rule" I am using the most.

You cannot count on the other boat knows the official rules, so it falls down to being nice anyway. I am windsufer over 10 years on our lake, sometimes on sea, couple of times in Vass as well. I am sure it is other story in racing and boating for work.

[markthatcher]

Thank you Joe for another informative video!

[PregnyChambesy]

Another great video--loved the mix of real life in real time with the diagrams. Can you please consider making one for racing? Even your analysis of a race that you have been in and/or other boats would be useful--especially starts and mark rounding and other nuances that are on the next level. Too easy for me to give you more work--feel free to ignore me :-)

[chrisschmidt]

I was out in challenging higher wind conditions this year with a inexperienced light crew and a power boat pulling a water skier cut my upwind course and then dropped the skier right in front of me, it was a white knuckle few seconds getting power off to not capsize.