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.
Assumed Facts
In a flat sea and 1-2 knots of wind a boat enters the starting area under power
shortly before her 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 her starting signal she hoists her sails and slows to 2 knots.
Question
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 as a source of power as required by rule
42.1. Her motion also 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