| You are sailing on port tack and see another sailboat | | | | when day sailing, cruising or racing. This memory key |
| ahead just off your starboard bow. Should you pass | | | | always shows which sailboat has to stay out of the |
| him to port or to starboard? If you are anything like me, | | | | way of the other sailboat. Break it down into three |
| those crazy rules when two sailboats meet each | | | | easy parts like this... |
| other can confuse even the saltiest sailor. | | | | PORT |
| Open up a copy of the Navigation Rules (nautical rules | | | | When both sailboats are on opposite tacks (one has |
| of the road), and you will find specific rules that show | | | | the wind on the port side and the other has the wind |
| sailboats how to maneuver to avoid colliding with one | | | | on the starboard side), the PORT tack vessel has to |
| another. How you maneuver will be based on: | | | | stay out of the way of the other sailboat. |
| * Which tack you are on (or the side of the boat that | | | | WIND |
| the wind blows over; i.e. port side = port tack). | | | | When both sailboats have the wind on the same side, |
| * Whether you are upwind or downwind (to windward | | | | the sailboat to WIND-ward has to stay out of the way |
| or to leeward) of the other sailboat. | | | | of the sailboat to leeward. |
| * When you overtake another sailboat (irrelevant of | | | | O |
| tack or wind relationship). | | | | When one sailboat O-vertakes another sailboat from |
| Many of these rules were written long ago when big | | | | behind the beam, it has to stay out of the way of the |
| square rigged ships needed lots of space to | | | | other sailboat. This applies to vessels under sail or |
| maneuver. In some cases, a bigger sailing ship could | | | | under power. |
| block the wind of a smaller ship. This could cause the | | | | ********************* |
| smaller ship to go aground. Modern sloops and cutters | | | | Use this simple, easy-to-remember mnemonic to know |
| are much more maneuverable today, but you are still | | | | just what you need to do when you approach another |
| stuck with the older rules. | | | | small cruising or racing sailboat. You will boost your |
| Make it a lot easier to remember any sailing rule with | | | | sailing navigation skipper-skills and be able to maneuver |
| this simple silly phrase: PORT-WIND-O. Use this | | | | with confidence wherever you choose to sail. |
| memory aid anytime you approach another sailboat | | | | |