Port and Starboard, the first rule we learn. When we on a port tack and have a boat approaching us on starboard tack on a converging course. We have two options regardless of being upwind or downwind.

We can tack or gybe away or alter course to pass behind. Actually there is a third option but it is very messy and expensive!

The first thing we need is to ascertain if we are on a collision course.It can take a while and experience to learn to judge on open water but is relatively easy to sort out sailing in enclosed waters with land or reference points on the horizon. Have a glance at the oncoming vessel, note the bow and how it is in relation to the shoreline behind it. If the bow is going backwards on the land reference (land appearing in view around it) then you will cross ahead of the other boat.

Conversely if you can see the bow going forward on the land then they will cross you, no action required!

But if the bow is reasonably stationary on the land then “Houston we have a problem”.

Next time you are out sailing, have a look and practise this, applies to motor boats and shipping encroaching on your course as well (note, always err on the ultra conservative side with shipping). It is a bit difficult to explain but you will get the hang of it pretty quickly in real time.
One thing, as a helm-person do not stare at the other boat, just a quick glance now and then. Once you take the focus off your helming you will slow down and make the crossing even more hazardous!! Also don’t start pinching! This will also slow you down, turning a potentially safe cross into one fraught with danger. The best thing to do is have your crew practise looking and assessing and be able to monitor it for you.

Now we have recognised the issue, we have the two aforementioned scenarios, tack or gybe away is pretty straight forward. If we decide to alter course to pass astern, we need to make this firstly as safe as possible and secondly to lose as little distance as possible.
Be ready to alter the sails on an upwind leg in particular, the mainsheet will need to be eased so we can bear away and often the jib too. Don’t leave the sails cleated! On larger boats winch handles out ready for a quick drastic dump of the sheet in the event of a miscalculation or error of judgement. If we try to bear away with sails sheeted we may round up as the boat becomes overpowered.

Downwind the spinnaker and main will need to be sheeted on to sail higher to pass astern, but it is not as important a priority. Upwind or down, bear away or harden up early and make sure you are ok, as a simple rule of thumb upwind as you pass behind the starboard tacker you want to be steering up back onto optimum course and not still bearing away. Downwind the opposite, coming down onto course as you pass. Much Safer and less ground lost!

Finally, remember in any situation where two boats meet, the first onus is for both boats to avoid a collision. So even if you are on Starboard tack and a collision becomes inevitable, you have to respond or you can be found negligible in your actions.

Good Sailing

Bully