Sail boat - right of way question

[Gerry Zagorski]

Had you been under power, you would have been the give way boat. Since you were not the sail boat was.

Power boats give-way to Sailboats


Are you operating a Sailboat (under sail) or a Power boat? Is the other boat a Sailboat (under sail) or a Power boat? Power boats, as a general rule, must give way to sailboats.

If you are a power boat and the other boat is a sailboat under sail, you must give way. Alternatively, if you are a Sailboat under sail and the other boat is a power boat, then you are the stand-on boat.

There are however, a few exceptions:

vessels not in command (i.e. not under control);
where it is too difficult for a large power boat to navigate in a small channel;
where the powered vessel, due to its size, has difficulty in navigating at the best of time;
vessels engaged in fishing.

As a general principle, stay well clear of large powered vessels; they have difficulty in maneuvering, they may not see you and you could capsize in the wash.