Boating rules

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published July 7, 2006

Q: When does a sailboat have the right of way over a powerboat?

A: Under the official Nautical rules of the road, there is no meeting or crossing situation between a sailboat and a powerboat. Rules about meeting and crossing are reserved for two powerboats only.

In the rights of way pecking order, sailboats are superior to powerboats. That means that a powerboat must stay out of the way of a sailboat in most situations; however, most does not mean all.

The rules say that any vessel overtaking any other vessel must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. In plain language it says that if a sailing boat were overtaking a powerboat (as embarrassing as it may seem) the sailing boat must keep out of the way of the powerboat.

The rule in this case does not differentiate between open water and channels. Additionally, a rule states that power vessels less than 65 feet and all sailing vessels (any size) must not hamper a vessel that is restricted to a channel.

Lest we forget, a sailboat using an engine for propulsion is not considered a sailboat under the rules.

Q: Does a sailboat have to stay on the right side of a channel?

A: No, and it would be kind of silly if the right side happen to be the downwind side.

Research by Sea School, the College of Nautical Knowledge.

[Last modified July 5, 2006, 13:01:10]