Right of Way Rules in Sailing: The Basics

The core right-of-way rules in sailing come down to three simple priorities — starboard tack over port tack, leeward over windward on the same tack, and clear-ahead over clear-astern — all sitting beneath one overriding duty: every boat must do what it can to avoid a collision, even when it has right of way. These rules keep a fleet of boats racing safely in close quarters, and the basics are worth knowing whether you race or just want to understand the sport.

The overriding principle

Before any of the specific rules, one principle governs everything: a boat must take all reasonable action to avoid contact with another boat. Right of way decides which boat must keep clear, but it never entitles the other to cause a collision. A right-of-way boat also cannot manoeuvre wildly — there are limits on how and when it may change course. Safety first, always.

Rule 1 — Opposite tacks: starboard beats port

When two boats meet on opposite tacks, the boat on port tack keeps clear of the boat on starboard tack. A boat is on starboard tack when the wind crosses its starboard (right) side first. The port-tack boat must stay clear — typically by bearing away to pass behind, or by tacking. This is the most fundamental rule on the water, explained more fully in our guide to port and starboard.

Rule 2 — Same tack: leeward beats windward

When two boats are on the same tack and overlapped, the windward boat keeps clear of the leeward boat. The windward boat is the one closer to the wind; the leeward boat, to its sheltered side, has right of way. This rule shapes much of the close tactical racing in a fleet, and it depends on understanding windward and leeward.

Rule 3 — Overtaking: clear astern keeps clear

When one boat is clear astern of another on the same tack — behind it, not overlapped — the boat behind keeps clear of the boat ahead. In other words, a boat catching up must avoid the boat in front; it cannot simply barge through. Once an overlap is established, the same-tack windward-leeward rule takes over.

Tacking and marks

Two further situations come up constantly. A boat that is tacking must keep clear of others until it is on a close-hauled course — so you cannot tack right on top of another boat and claim right of way. And at marks of the course, special rules govern the room boats must give each other while rounding. Tacking itself is covered in tacking vs gybing.

Racing rules vs the rules of the road

Racing is governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing, while vessels in general follow the international collision regulations (COLREGs). They share the same DNA — starboard over port, keep clear, avoid collision — but the racing rules add the detail needed for boats racing metres apart, including mark-room and start-line rules. This guide covers the everyday basics; for actual racing, the current Racing Rules of Sailing are the authority, and our sailing terms glossary explains the related vocabulary.