Can a right-of-way boat alter course on top of me?

Name: This Sailing Protest Proves Most Boats Don't Know The Rules
Uploaded: 2026-05-14T12:00:00+12:00
Description: Can a right-of-way boat alter course on top of me? Only if she gives you room to keep clear. Under Rule 16.1, when a right-of-way boat changes course she must give the other boat room to keep clear. World Sailing Case 6 is the canonical case — the right-of-way boat luffed too late and was penalised.

Only if she gives you room to keep clear. Under Rule 16.1, when a right-of-way boat changes course she must give the other boat room to keep clear. World Sailing Case 6 is the canonical case — the right-of-way boat luffed too late and was penalised.

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qLBJpZ8gBxM" title="Sailing Kiwi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/start/case-6-changing-course/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>

Can a right-of-way boat alter course on top of me?

Next on this shelf — The Start

Pre-Start Luff — The Leeward Boat Can Go Head to Wind (Case 13)

OCS But No Horn — Do You Have to Go Back? (Case 31)

Fouled at the Start, Won the Protest — So Why Scored DNS? (Case 28)