Slats,

I read pasta's original question as two boats on opposite tacks, one on starboard and one on port.

If they were both on the same tack then yes, windward/leeward applies.
Of course this is simplistic as I didn't want to get into mark roundings/overlaps/obstructions etc.

Thank goodness, I have forgotten most of it! Used to drive me nuts at times.
Most of our racing was in the 70's,80's.
martin

ya, me too. Even in the most obvious situations, the rules get muddled, and in my experience, boats get out of control and are unable to manage the situation...especially in heavy or changing wind.
I would imagine it will be amplified in a kite race.
And skill level and tactics are used in different ways by different captains.
That's why the debates go on for hours after a race...all good fun.
enjoy the race.
johnny

a little addition of the rules of sailing.. Nitinat rules, kiteboarding safety, RVYC kite race threads.. they're all starting to cross over...

Rule 10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS: When boats are on opposite tacks, a port tack boat shall (must) keep clear of a starboard tack boat.
If you are on port (left hand forward) going up wind or down and are in a crossing situation with another sailor who is on starboard tack going upwind or downwind you must keep clear and give room.
Rule 11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED: When boats are on the same tack and OVERLAPPED, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
If you are on port or starboard tack and someone DOWNWIND of you is pinching you out and pointing really high on one of those crazy race boards you must keep clear and give them room. This applies only when overlapped.. an overlap can be broken several times within a minute which makes this difficult for monohull racers and arguements ensue when someone thinks they have an inch of overlap. With kites the overlaps are huge and therefore safety buffer rules should apply.
Rule 12 ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED: When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
If a kiter is upwind or downwind of you and your course/heading but clearly ahead of you AND your kite you must keep clear of them. Generally don't follow someone close into the beach (an obstacle) within their buffer zone. This is where people try to break overlaps in monohulls.
Rule 13 WHILE TACKING: After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11, 12 do not apply. If boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other's port side or the one astern shall keep clear.
Its a mouthful but generally dont change tacks without sufficent room for you and your kite to complete the maneuver and get back up to speed pointing as high as possible. (close-hauled) This one crosses over with Rule 15 ACQUIRING ROW..

Below is the link to the massive Racing Rules of Sailing PDF.
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/ ... [8222].pdf

Please comment and add to this thread: I've only been kiting for half a year and am still learning the code of ethics at the lake with respect to windsurfers etc... but from what I've learned over the last 5 years of sailing a monohull these are the most basic fundamental rules to follow to avoid contact at all costs. If you think windsurfers have attitude come race against super expensive yachts and hear what comes out of these dirty sailors mouths!!!

Remember overlap rule applies only to racing, not to recreational sailing. 'Windward yacht keeps clear' applies to a vessel (incl. kite) coming downwind crossing paths with a boat going to windward. In the race-board vs normal kiteboard situation you give, it would be the 'overtaking vessel' (which I'd read as the raceboard) that would keep clear.

This from Maui (including the most confusing description of stbd' right of way I have ever read ): http://www.mauikiteboardingassociation. ... rules.html Here are the legal rules: http://www.stormy.ca/marine/colregs/ p.s.: I would consider rule 18 (b) (ii) to include kiters body dragging, water launching & wind surfers water starting. If in doubt of another vessels ability to maneuver assume they have the right of way & sail accordingly. ... p.s. " The term "vessel engaged in fishing" means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability. "