Sailing guide
Sailing racing rules: keep clear and give room
Understand port and starboard, windward and leeward, clear ahead and mark-room. Practise common encounters and learn the limits of game rules.
By the SailPolars team · Updated
Identify the boats first
A boat is on starboard tack when the wind comes from its starboard side. It is on port tack when the wind comes from its port side. When boats are on opposite tacks, the port-tack boat normally keeps clear.
On the same tack, an overlapped windward boat normally keeps clear of a leeward boat. Windward is nearer the side the wind comes from. Leeward is farther from it.
Check overlap and course changes
On the same tack without an overlap, the boat clear astern normally keeps clear of the boat clear ahead. Clear astern means its hull is behind the line across the other boat's stern.
A boat acquiring right of way normally gives the other boat room to keep clear at first. A right-of-way boat that changes course must give room to keep clear. While tacking, further keep-clear duties apply. Avoid contact whenever reasonably possible.
Check mark-room separately
Mark-room is room to sail the route required by the applicable mark rule. It does not give unlimited right of way. Tack, overlap, zone entry and the type of mark can change the decision.
SailPolars uses published virtual racing rules with stated approximations. Team racing has additional rules. This introduction does not cover every exception. For real racing, read the current Racing Rules of Sailing and the event instructions.
Practise this idea
- Open the port-and-starboard lesson.
- Identify each boat's tack before starting the encounter.
- Choose the keep-clear boat and act early.
- Practise the windward-leeward and boat-ahead lessons.
- Use the mark-room lesson to check a separate rounding encounter.
Avoid this mistake
Do not treat right of way as permission to cause contact. Leave time and space for the other boat to respond.
Check your understanding
Can you name the keep-clear boat and explain why before either boat moves? Check your answer in the matching lesson.
Continue learning
This guide follows the SailPolars sailing school and guided practice lessons. Game controls describe the simulator. They do not replace practical instruction on a real boat.
Rule reference: World Sailing: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025–2028. Check the latest corrections and the event instructions.
Next: Sailing race scoring, series and team eventsAll practice lessons