Overlapped or Not Overlapped or Not When several boats are
approaching the leeward mark, it’s often difficult to decide
which ones are entitled to mark-room. From the Experts in our
May 2010 issue Numerous recent questions from readers indicate
they’re having difficulty figuring out how new Rule 18 and the
revised definition of overlap work at leeward marks. The word
“overlap” is used in the racing rules with a special technical
meaning that you can find in the Definitions section at the back
of the rulebook. As we will see, that definition differs
markedly from the meaning we give to the word, “overlap,” in
casual everyday speech. The rulebook’s definition of overlap
depends on knowledge of two other defined terms, clear astern
and clear ahead. Let’s apply the overlap definition and the
rules to the situation shown in the first diagram. A fleet of
Melges 24s is planing toward the leeward mark on a gusty day.
Paul is about to enter the zone around the mark on port tack.
Under Rule 18.2(b) he must give mark-ro