CASE 69        

Rule 42.1, Propulsion: Basic Rule

Momentum of a boat after the preparatory signal that is the result of being propelled by her engine before the signal does not break rule 42.1.

Question
In a flat sea and 1-2 knots of wind a boat enters the starting area under power shortly before the preparatory signal at a speed of 5-6 knots. At the preparatory signal she is moving at the same rate of speed but no longer motoring. At 2.5 minutes before the starting signal she hoists her sails and slows to 2 knots. Does she break rule 42.1?

Answer
No. A boat begins racing at her preparatory signal. During the period in which the boat was racing she was using wind and water as sources of power as required by rule 42.1. Her motion resulted from momentum created by engine power that propelled her before she began racing. Nothing in the rule requires that a boat be in any particular state of motion or non-motion when she begins racing. Therefore rule 42.1 was not broken.

USSA 1986/269