The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) can confidently define itself as "the national governing body for all forms of sail racing" amongst other responsibilities for cruising and sail training. But in 1900, under its original name, the Yacht Racing Association, (YRA), had no such secure position. 

Its aspiration to control the regulation of yacht racing was challenged constantly by maverick groups of angry owners who could not afford to build new boats when the rules changed, and desired either the excitement of racing in classes which would survive more than a couple of years, or a universally accepted and efficient system of handicapping, operating within a carefully organised timetable for regattas where everyone felt their dates had been fairly allocated.

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YRA Racing Rules Circa 1950

Commencement of the Race.

A Yacht shall be amenable to the Rules from the Signal given five minutes before her start.

28. Recall Numbers and Recalls.

A Recall Number shall be allotted to each Yacht by the Sailing Committee, as prescribed by the National Authority, and the number allotted to each Yacht: should be indicated on the Programme and Sailing Instructions.

If any Yacht, or any part of her hull, spars, or other equipment be on or across the starting line when the signal to start is made, her recall number shall be displayed as soon as possible, and a suitable sound signal also given to call the attention of the competitors to the fact that a recall number is being displayed. The Yacht recalled must return and re-cross the line to the satisfaction of the Committee, and the number must be kept displayed until she has returned to the starting side of the line, or a. reasonable time has elapsed. The number should be in white on a black ground, and the figures not less than 75 centimetres (2 ft. 6 in.) in height.

The Y.R.A. prescribes that: The Numbers on the sails shall, when practicable, be used as Recall Numbers, but should any yacht's Sail Number be inconvenient for the purpose of Recall, the Sailing Committee shall allot the yacht a suitable Recall Number. The Recall Number shall be indicated on the Sailing Instructions.

Yachts Returning

A Yacht so recalled and returning, or one working into position from the wrong side of the line after the signal to start has been made, must keep out of the way of all competing Yachts.

The other Yachts racing must not assume that a Yacht is returning or working into position from the wrong side of the line until it can be seen that her manoeuvres are obviously inconsistent with an intention to continue sailing the course.

Right of Way

RISK OF COLLISION

The phrase "Risk of collision" is used in the widest sense, and Yachts must be considered to be "approaching so as to involve risk of collision" whenever either of two cannot with perfect safety be navigated without any regard to the proximity of the other.

For example, generally speaking, two Yachts cannot be navigated without any regard to each other unless either or both can at any moment turn a complete circle with helm hard over either way without fouling the other.

When there is any doubt, risk of collision is to be presumed to exist.

CLOSE-HAULED AND FREE

Close-hauled. A Yacht is close-hauled when the sailing by wind as close as she can lie with advantage in working to windward.

Free. A Yacht not sailing close-hauled, as defined above and not in the wind, is sailing free.

LUFFING.

A Yacht is luffing when she so alters her course as to sail a course more nearly into the wind.

CLEAR AHEAD AND CLEAR ASTERN.

A Yacht is clear astern of another when all her hull and equipment is abaft the other Yacht's boom end or counter judged by the course which the two Yachts are sailing. The other is clear ahead.

OVERTAKING.

Of two Yachts sailing the same or nearly the same course one which is clear astern of the other (as above defined) begins to rank as overtaking Yacht as soon as she comes anywhere within range of risk of collision (as defined), and continues so to rank until either:-

1. She draws clear ahead (as above defined); and then she begins to rank as overtaken Yacht.

2. She draws clear abreast by widening out beyond range of risk of collision (as defined).

3. She falls astern beyond range of risk of collision (as defined)

One or both of the Yachts tack.

The obligation of proving that she has drawn clear (as above) lies on the late overtaking Yacht.

No question of overtaking can arise unless the Yachts are sailing approximately the same course (A Luff by one of the Yachts under clause (B) does not count as & difference of course in this connection).

A.      A Yacht overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the overtaken Yacht.

B.      Provided that the overtaking Yacht steers a course to pass the overtaken Yacht on the side opposite to that on which the latter then carries her main boom, the latter may luff from her course, head to wind if she pleases, to prevent the former passing her to windward, until she is in such a position that her bowsprit end, or stem if she has no bowsprit, would strike the overtaking Yacht abaft the main shrouds, after which she may maintain her course. But may luff no further.

This rule applies only in the case of a flying start.

In cases of doubt as to' the right of the leeward Yacht to luff, the windward Yacht must respond to the luff, and protest if she thinks fit.

C.     A Yacht must never bear away out of her proper course to hinder an overtaking Yacht passing her to leeward. The overtaking Yacht if to leeward, must not luff so as to interfere with the windward Yacht or cause her to alter her course, until she ranks as an overtaken Yacht. The lee side shall be considered that on which the leading Yacht of the two carries her main boom at the time she ceases to be clear ahead.

PROPER COURSE.

During the existence of overtaking conditions the proper course is prima facie nothing to leeward of full and by it on a wind, & of the next mark if the wind be free ; but there may be conditions of tide or circumstances, other than the desire to hinder the competitor overtaking to leeward, which justify a more leeward course, in this case the responsibility for proving the justification for such a leeward course would lie upon the weather Yacht.

MEETING, CROSSING AND CONVERGING.

These clauses are framed particularly to avoid collision, and the Yacht which by rule has to keep out of the way must always do so (see clause (K)).

Before the starting signal is given there are no restrictions upon the manoeuvring of the Yachts other than the provisions of Rules 30, 31 & 32, and the yacht holding right of way may alter course in any reasonable manner (but a luff so sudden that it cannot be easily responded to would not be considered reasonable).

As soon as the Starting Signal is given, yachts must sail a course consistent with the intention of crossing the line, but in all other respects the only restrictions on manoeuvring are those provided in Rules 30, 31 & 32.

After crossing the line the only restrictions upon manoeuvring are those provided in Rules 30, 31 & 32.

D.     2 Yacht which has the wind free shall keep out of the way of one which is close-hauled.

E.      A Yacht which is close-hauled on port tack shall keep out of the way of one which is close-hauled on starboard tack.

F.      (F) When both Yachts have the wind free on different sides, and neither can claim the rights of a Yacht being overtaken, the Yacht which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

G.     (G) When both have the wind free on the same side, and neither can claim the rights of a Yacht being overtaken, the Yacht to windward shall keep out of the way of the Yacht to leeward.

H.     (H) When two Yachts, both elose-hauled on the same tack, are converging by reason of the leeward Yacht holding a better wind, and neither can claim the rights of a Yacht being overtaken, then the Yacht to windward shall keep out of the way.

ALTERING COURSE.

I.         A Yacht may not tack so as to involve probability of collision with another Yacht unless gather full she can way on her new tack before a collision would occur; nor so as to involve probability of collision with another Yacht which, owing to her position, cannot keep out of the way. A Yacht which tacks so close in front of another as to cause the latter to alter course to avoid a collision before the former has gathered full way must be' disqualified.

K.      When by any of the above clauses one Yacht has to keep out of the way of another, the latter (subject to clause (B)) shall not alter course so as to prevent her doing so.

Although the right of way Yacht is not bound to hold her course, she must not so alter it as to mislead or baulk the other, in the act of keeping out of the way.

A Yacht may be disqualified on a protest arising out of a breach of any of these clauses whether a collision result or not.

Giving room at marks or obstructions to sea room.

OVERLAP.

An overlap between two Yachts exists when they are sailing approximately the same course and neither has her bowsprit end (or stem if she has no bowsprit) abaft the other Yacht's boom end or counter. judged by the course. which the two Yachts are sailing.

If an overlap exists between two Yachts when both of them, without tacking, are about to pass an obstruction to sea-room, or a mark on the required side, the outside Yacht must give room to the Yacht in danger of fouling such mark or obstruction, whether she be the windward or leeward Yacht, provided the Yachts are overlapping on actually reaching such mark or obstruction. An overtaking Yacht shall not be justified in attempting to establish an overlap, and thus force & passage between the leading Yacht and the mark or obstruction, after the latter has reached it or altered her course for the purpose and in the act of rounding it. A craft under way (including another Yacht racing) of which the Yacht concerned has to keep out of the way, ranks as an obstruction for 'the purpose of this or the following rule.

Rule 31 makes exception to Rule 30 only so far as to require the outer Yacht, although otherwise holding right of way under the latter Rule, to allow the inner Yacht room if her overlap has been made in proper time. In all other respects Rule 30 remains in full force.

As an example, a leading Yacht may tack round a mark or obstruction only when she can do so and clear the Yacht astern, just as she would be required to do if she made her tack in open sea without any mark or obstruction being there.

In all protests under this Rule the onus of proof that the overlap has been made in proper time rests with the Yacht that previously had been astern.

Close-hauled, approaching an obstruction to sea-room or a mark.

If two Yachts are standing close-hauled on the same tack towards the shore, or an obstruction to sea-room which requires the leeward Yacht to alter her course to clear it, and if she is not able to tack without coming into collision with the Yacht to windward; the latter shall, on being hailed by the person in charge of the leeward Yacht, at once allow her room to tack. A Yacht so claiming room shall be bound to tack immediately her hail is responded to.

If the leeward Yacht elects to clear the obstruction by bearing away she shall allow the windward Yacht room to do the same if she so desires. But if the obstruction is a mark of the course the leeward Yacht has not the right to so hail the other about,if that other can herself pass the mark without tacking.

Although it is only in this Rule that a hail is mentioned, other situations may arise in which under Rule 1 a hail should be given before making an alteration of course which may not be foreseen by the other Yacht.

33. Fouling or improperly rounding Marks.

A Yacht must go fairly round the course, rounding the series of marks as specified in the instructions; and, in order to round each mark, the Yacht's track from the preceding to the following mark must enclose it on the required side. A Yacht which, in rounding a mark, fouls it, or causes the mark vessel to shift her position to avoid a foul, shall be disqualified, unless on her protest it is established that she was wrongfully compelled to do so by another Yacht, in which case such other Yacht shall be disqualified. The Yacht which fouled the mark must & immediately either abandon the race or hoist a protest flag.

When races are sailed in fog or at night, dead reckoning alone should not necessarily be accepted as evidence that a mark has been rounded.

Definition of Marks.

Every essential or ordinary above-water part of any object named as a mark, counts as a mark for the purposes of this and the two preceding rules, but no part below water, nor any object accidentally or temporarily, attached to the mark. Any mark used in connection with the starting or finishing line is a mark in the course from the signal given 5 minutes before the start of the race, but there is no required side until after the starting signal has been made. Every mark rounded or passed remains a mark in the course until the next has been passed.

Nothing shall be considered a mark in the course unless specially named as such in the Sailing Instructions, and until the preceding mark, if any, has been rounded or passed; otherwise it shall be an obstruction to sea-room.

Fouling Competing Yachts.

If a Yacht, in consequence of her neglect of any of these Rules, shall foul another Yacht, or compel other Yachts to foul. she shall be disqualified.

Running Ashore.

A Yacht grounding, or fouling a buoy, vessel or other obstruction, may use her own anchors, boats, warps, spars, or other gear, to haul off, but may not receive any assistance except from the crew of the vessel fouled. Any gear used must be recovered before she continues the Race.

Anchoring during a Race.

A Yacht may anchor during a Race, but must weigh and recover her anchor again, and not slip. No Yacht shall during a race make fast to any buoy, stage, pier, or other object, or send an anchor out in a boat, except for the purpose of Rule 36.

Means of Propulsion.

No towing, rowing, poling, pushing, or any mode of propulsion, except sailing, shall be allowed, except for the purpose set forth in Rule 36.

Sounding.

No other means of sounding than the lead sad line shall be allowed.

40. Man Overboard and Accidents.

Each Yacht shall render every possible assistance to any vessel or person in peril, and if in the judgment of the Sailing Committee any Yacht not responsible for the accident shall have thereby injured her chance of winning any prize, they shall order the Race to be re-sailed, if possible, between such Yacht or Yachts and the winner of such prize, otherwise the Race shall be void and the entrance fees returned. A Yacht neglecting to render assistance when in a position to do so shall be disqualified. A Yacht losing a man overboard must either recover the man on board before continuing the Race or give up the Race.

Finishing a Race.

A Yacht shall be timed for completing a Race as soon as any part of the hull or spars be on the finishing line, but continues amenable to the Rules so long as any part of the hull or spars remains on the line. After thus finishing a "Race she must continue to observe any special regulations prescribed by the Sailing Instructions as to keeping clear of the finishing line.

A Yacht having reached the finishing line ceases to be amenable to the Sailing Rules as soon as she is clear of the line ; it is not necessary for a Yacht to pass across the line ; she may drop astern of it, and having succeeded in doing so, is only amenable to any Special Regulations prescribed by the Sailing Instructions.

The Case of a Dead Heat.

In the case of a Dead Heat the prize money shall he equally divided. Ifa cup, or other prize which cannot be divided, the Race shall be re-sailed by the Yachts having made the Dead Heat, if practicable; if not, the destination of the prize shall be decided by the spin of the coin or by ballot.

In cases of time allowance, when the corrected times are equal, the Race shall be accounted a Dead Heat.

Part III PROTESTS, Etc.

Penalties for Infringing Rules.

Any Yacht disobeying or infringing any of these Rules, which shall apply to all Yachts whether sailing in the same or different Races, shall be disqualified from receiving such Prize as she would otherwise have won. The question of damages arising therefrom shall be governed by the special rules, if any, prescribed by the National Authority.

The Y.R.A. prescribes that the owner of a Yacht shall be liable for all damages arising from a breach of these rules, not exceeding in amount and subject to the same limitations as provided by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894.

A breach of these rules shall be considered improper navigation within the meaning and for the purposes of that Act. The fault or privity of the owner shall not be a bar to the limitation of liability conferred by the statute.

Protests.

Protest can be made by any competitor against another.

All protests must be made in writing and must name the particular Rule or Rules alleged to have been broken. The protest must be signed by the owner or his representative, and lodged with the Sailing Committee with such fee, if any, as may have been prescribed.

A protest made in writing shall not be withdrawn but shall be decided by the Sailing Committee. (a) A protest on the score of breach of the Rules occurring during a Race must be signified by showing a flag conspicuously in the main rigging of the protesting Yacht at the first reasonable opportunity and when passing the Sailing Committee, unless the competitor has no knowledge of the facts justifying the protest until after the conclusion of the Race. Failure to observe this Rule will debar a competing Yacht from bringing the incident to the notice of the Committee under Rule 41. Protests should be lodged within two hours of the finish of the protesting Yacht, or on her arrival at an anchorage should she not cross the finishing line, unless otherwise prescribed on the programme.

But the Sailing Committee shall have power to extend the time should they have good and sufficient reason to do so.

Disqualification without Protest.

Should a Sailing Committee have reasonable grounds for supposing that a competitor in a race has in any way infringed these rules, they must act on their own initiative in accordance with Rule 45, as if a protest had been made.

Sailing Committee's Decision.

Before deciding a protest a Sailing Committee shall give notice to the party protested against, and shall hear such evidence and make such other inquiries as they may consider necessary.

The grounds of a-decision shall be specified in the announcement to the parties.

The Y.R.A. prescribes that in the consideration of Protest Cases by Sailing Committees the principal, or his representative, on each side shall have the right to be present during the hearing of the evidence. but this privilege is not extended to other witnesses.

Particulars to be furnished by Sailing Committee.

2. A plan showing

a)      The course;

b)      The direction and force of the wind;

c)      The set of the tide;

d)      The positions and tracks of the competing Yachts involved in the protest.

Persons interested not to take part in Decisions.

No Member of the Sailing Committee shall take part in the discussion or decision upon any disputed question in which he is an interested party.

Page 16

In races where time allowances are conceded at the start a yacht running free, or with the wind aft, shall Not alter her course by luffing or bearing away to hinder an overtaking yacht passing.

An overtaken yacht must not luff to blanket the yacht that has passed. The faster yacht, however, may pass to windward.