Can sailors rock or pump the boat to go faster?
I · Intermediate · The crew, the boat and the event · 11 of 11No,
How it works
Prohibited:
- Pumping: repeated fanning of any sail, by pulling it in and letting it out or by body movement.
- Rocking: repeated rolling of the boat, brought on by body movement, by repeated adjustment of the sails or centreboard or by steering.
- Ooching: sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly.
- Sculling: repeated movement of the helm that is forceful or that propels the boat forward or stops it moving astern.
- Repeated tacks or gybes unrelated to changes in the wind or to tactics.
Allowed:
- rolling the boat to help it steer;
- exaggerating the roll through a tack or a gybe, provided the boat does not come out faster than it would have been without the tack or gybe;
- to start surfing or planing, pulling each sail in once for each wave or gust. To start foiling, any number of times;
- sculling to turn to a close-hauled course when the boat is above close-hauled and stationary or moving slowly;
- slowing down by repeatedly moving the helm;
- any means of propulsion to help a person or vessel in danger.
Policing on the water, where the event uses Appendix P: an observer who sees a breach makes a sound signal, points a yellow flag at the boat and hails it.
| Penalty in the event | What the boat must do |
|---|---|
| First | A Two-Turns Penalty. If it fails to, it is disqualified without a hearing |
| Second | Retire from the race promptly. If it fails to, a disqualification that cannot be dropped |
| Third and later | Retire promptly, and the disqualification cannot be dropped. If it fails to, disqualification from all races in the event |
Tricky cases
Is one pump of the sail allowed?
Yes, in one situation. When surfing or planing is possible, each sail may be pulled in once for each wave or gust to start it.
Can a crew roll the boat hard through a tack?
Yes, provided that the boat's speed after the tack is no greater than it would have been without the tack.
Are there classes where pumping is free?
Yes. Class rules may change this rule, and some allow pumping, rocking and ooching above a set wind speed. The race committee signals this with flag O and withdraws it with flag R.
Can a becalmed boat use its engine?
No, unless the sailing instructions permit it in stated circumstances and the boat gains no significant advantage. An engine may always be used to help someone in danger.
Why the rule exists
Sailing is meant to be a contest of using the wind. A fit crew that could fan the sails all the way round the course would be rowing with cloth, and the lightest wind would turn every race into a gym session.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Rules of Sailing | As above | RRS 42 |
| Events using Appendix P | Yellow-flag penalties on the water, as tabled | RRS P1; RRS P2 |
| Class rules | May change rule 42 | RRS 86.1 (c); RRS P5 |
| Windsurfing and kiteboarding | Appendices B and F change the rule. Not read | RRS Introduction |
| Official interpretations | World Sailing publishes Interpretations of Rule 42. Not read | RRS 42 (note) |
From the rule book
World Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rule 42 and Appendix P. In force from 1 January 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (PDF).