So here's the thing with rule 18.2(e) in the Racing Rules of Sailing – it's one of those provisions that can really mess with your head during a race. It deals with mark rounding, specifically when a boat that was overlapped on the inside inside the zone somehow loses that overlap before actually reaching the mark. The rule basically says: if you had mark-room under rule 18.2(b) but then your overlap disappears, you're no longer entitled to that room. Instead, you've got to give mark-room to the boat that was originally the outside boat, assuming they become the inside boat now. People get this rule wrong all the time because it flips the usual "inside overlap advantage" on its head. It stops boats from trying to squeeze others into the mark by getting an overlap, losing it, and then claiming mark-room based on that original overlap. The whole point is fairness – making sure everyone knows their rights at the mark. This rule kicks in specifically during a mark rounding situation where a boat that had an inside overlap (and therefore mark-room) loses that overlap before the mark. Usually this happens when the inside boat can't keep up her overlap with the outside boat – maybe because of a luff or some course change. But here's the catch: it only applies if the original overlap was established inside the zone (that's the area within three boat lengths of the mark). When 18.2(e) comes into play, everything shifts. The boat that was originally the inside boat (with mark-room) suddenly becomes the outside boat and has to give mark-room to the boat that was originally outside. That new inside boat now gets mark-room. It's a complete reversal of the typical rule 18.2(b) scenario where the inside boat keeps her rights. The crucial thing is that the original inside boat must have lost her overlap before reaching the mark. Picture this: Boat A and Boat B are heading toward a mark. Boat A is on the inside (closer to the mark) and has an overlap on Boat B (the outside boat). Both are inside the zone. So Boat A gets mark-room under rule 18.2(b). But then Boat A slows down or luffs, and boom – the overlap is broken. Now Boat B is ahead and becomes the inside boat. Under rule 18.2(e), Boat A (now the outside boat) has to give mark-room to Boat B. Boat B can round the mark inside, and Boat A must keep clear. The difference is pretty fundamental. Rule 18.2(b) gives mark-room to a boat that has an inside overlap at the zone and keeps it. Rule 18.2(e) deals with when that overlap gets lost. Under 18.2(b), the inside boat keeps her rights. Under 18.2(e), losing the overlap flips the rights – the inside boat loses her mark-room, and the new inside boat (the former outside boat) gets it. Simple, right? Well, not really. Rule 18.2(e) only works if the overlap is lost before the mark. If it happens after the boat has started rounding, the rule doesn't apply. In that case, the original inside boat usually keeps her mark-room rights, and the outside boat still has to give room. Timing is everything here – get it wrong and you're in trouble. "Rule 18.2(e) is one of the most counter-intuitive rules in sailing. Many sailors think that once they have an inside overlap, they are guaranteed mark-room. This rule shows that is not true. The key is to maintain your overlap until the mark is reached. If you lose it, you lose your rights. It's a tactical rule that rewards boats that can hold their position and penalizes those who fail to do so." – Dave Perry, sailing rules expert and author No way. Rule 18.2 only matters when boats are inside the zone. If the overlap disappears outside, you're looking at Part 2 (Section A) rules instead – mark-room rules don't start until the zone is entered. If the inside boat loses and then regains the overlap before the mark, you judge the situation at the moment of rounding. If she has an overlap at the mark, she gets mark-room under rule 18.2(b), as long as she was overlapped at the zone. The loss and regain don't trigger 18.2(e) if the final overlap holds. Yep, it applies to all marks boats have to leave on a specific side – rounding marks, gates, obstructions. But not starting marks or finishing marks when they're being used as such. That's just how it works. If a boat that's supposed to give mark-room under 18.2(e) doesn't do it, she can get penalized under rule 18.2. Usually that means a Two-Turns Penalty (or One-Turn in some cases) under rule 44.1. In a protest, she might even get disqualified. So don't mess it up.What is the rule 18.2 E in sailing
When does rule 18.2(e) apply?
How does rule 18.2(e) change the rights at the mark?
Example scenario
What is the difference between rule 18.2(b) and 18.2(e)?
Rule
Condition
Result
18.2(b)
Inside boat has overlap at the zone and maintains it
Inside boat is entitled to mark-room
18.2(e)
Inside boat had overlap at the zone but loses it before the mark
Inside boat loses mark-room; former outside boat becomes entitled to mark-room
What happens if the overlap is lost after the mark?
Checklist for sailors
Expert insight on rule 18.2(e)
Frequently asked questions about rule 18.2(e)
Does rule 18.2) apply if the overlap is lost outside the zone?
What if the inside boat loses the overlap but regains it before the mark?
Does rule 18.2(e) apply to all marks?
What is the penalty for breaking rule 18.2(e)?
Resumen breve
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