What happens when boats meet near the shore or another obstacle?
A · Advanced · When boats meet · 5 of 12At an obstruction, an outside boat must give an overlapped inside boat room to pass between it and the obstruction. A boat sailing close-hauled towards an obstruction that needs to tack to avoid it may hail "Room to tack", and the hailed boat must tack or answer "You tack". The glossary entry is obstruction and room.
How it works
- An obstruction: an object a boat could not pass without changing course substantially if it were sailing straight at it from one hull length away; an object that can be passed safely on one side only; or an area the rules bar boats from entering.
- Other boats: a boat racing is not an obstruction, unless the others must keep clear of it or avoid it.
- Choosing a side: a right-of-way boat may pass an obstruction on either side.
- Room to pass: when boats are overlapped the outside boat gives the inside boat room between it and the obstruction, unless it has been unable to do so since the overlap began.
- A long obstruction: along a continuing obstruction such as a shore, a boat coming from clear astern may not push into a gap that is too small when its overlap begins. If it does, it gets no room and must keep clear.
Room to tack:
- A boat may hail only if it is approaching an obstruction, will soon need a substantial course change to avoid it safely and is sailing close-hauled or above.
- The hailing boat gives the other time to respond.
- The hailed boat responds by tacking as soon as possible, or by replying "You tack" at once and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid it.
- The hailing boat then tacks as soon as possible.
The hailed boat must respond even if the hail was not justified. It can protest afterwards.
Tricky cases
A boat thinks the hail for room to tack came far too early. Can it ignore the hail?
No. A hailed boat shall respond even if the hail breaks the rule. Its remedy is a protest.
Can a boat hail for room to tack at a windward mark?
No, not if the obstruction is a mark and a boat that is fetching it would have to change course because of the hail.
A starboard-tack boat is in the way of two port-tack boats sailing side by side. Is it an obstruction to them?
Yes. Both are required to keep clear of it, so it counts as an obstruction. The outside one must give the inside one room to pass it.
What if the hail cannot be heard in strong wind?
The boat must also make a signal that plainly shows its need for room to tack or its response.
Why the rule exists
A boat pinned between another boat and the rocks has no safe choice. These rules give it a way out that does not depend on the other boat's goodwill. The requirement to respond first and argue later puts safety ahead of being right.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Rules of Sailing | As above | RRS 19; RRS 20; RRS Definitions (Obstruction, Continuing Obstruction) |
| Each event | The notice of race may specify another way of signalling and require it | RRS 20.4 (b) |
| Language | A hail may be in another language all affected boats can reasonably understand. English is always acceptable | RRS Introduction (Hails) |
From the rule book
World Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 19 and 20, the Introduction (Hails) and the Definitions (Continuing Obstruction, Obstruction, Room). In force from 1 January 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (PDF).