Protest Room logoProtest Room
RulesCasesAsk AI
Auth not available
  • Rules Explorer
  • Case Book
  • AI Judge
New protest
  1. Home/
  2. Rules/
  3. Rule 23

Part 2 — When Boats Meet

Section D — Other Rules

When rule 21 or 22 applies between two boats, Section A rules do not.

23

INTERFERING WITH ANOTHER BOAT

23.1:

If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing.

23.2:

If reasonably possible, a boat shall not interfere with a boat that is taking a penalty, sailing on another leg or subject to rule 21.1. However, after the starting signal this rule does not apply when the boat is sailing her proper course.

Definitions in Context

Boat

A sailboat and the crew on board, that are subject to the rules.

Rule

The complete written rules contained in this document, which includes all racing rules including those established by the International Sailing Federation and other governing authorities.

Racing

Racing is the period from the preparatory signal until a boat finishes or retires, or the race committee signals the start or abandonment of the race.

Proper Course

A course a boat would choose in order to sail the course as quickly as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal.

Start

A boat starts when, her hull having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, and having complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, any part of her hull crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.

Rule 22

If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is capsized or has not regained control after capsizing, is anchored or aground, or is trying to help a person or ve...

Rule 25

The notice of race shall be made available to each boat that enters an event before she enters. The sailing instructions shall be made available to each boat be...

© 2026 Protest Room. Open source and available under MIT License