What happens if a boat touches a mark?
I · Intermediate · Racing and scoring · 1 of 11A boat that is racing must not touch a mark of the leg it is sailing. If it does, it can put things right on the water with a One-Turn Penalty: it gets well clear of other boats and promptly makes one turn that includes one tack and one gybe.
How it works
- The rule: while racing, a boat shall not touch a starting mark before starting, a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course it is sailing, or a finishing mark after finishing.
- The penalty: one turn. The glossary covers it under Two-Turns and One-Turn Penalty.
- How to take it: get well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible, then promptly make the turn, which includes one tack and one gybe.
- The anchor line: not part of the mark, so touching it is not touching the mark.
- Touching a mark and fouling a boat together: a boat that may have broken a right-of-way rule and touched the mark in the same incident takes the Two-Turns Penalty only.
- Forced into it: a boat pushed on to a mark by a boat that owed it mark-room is exonerated and takes no penalty.
Tricky cases
A boat's sail brushed the mark but the hull did not. Does that count?
Yes. The rule says a boat shall not touch the mark, and the rules define a boat as the sailboat and the crew on board.
A boat touched a mark of a different leg while sailing past. Is that a breach?
No. The rule covers a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg the boat is sailing.
Can a boat take the turn at the finishing line?
Yes. When a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, its hull must be completely on the course side of the line before it finishes.
Why the rule exists
Marks are the corners of the course, and the quickest route shaves them as closely as possible. A penalty for touching makes crews leave a margin and protects the marks, which are often other people's boats.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Rules of Sailing | As above | RRS 31; RRS 44.1; RRS 44.2 |
| Events using other penalties | The notice of race or sailing instructions may replace the turns with a scoring penalty or another penalty | RRS 44.1 |
From the rule book
World Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 31, 43.1, 44.1 and 44.2 and the Definitions (Mark). In force from 1 January 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (PDF).