§ 282 Sailing Vessel Right Of Way

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This rule tells sailing boats who has to move out of the way and how they should pass each other when they meet on the water.

Key Takeaways

•Sailing boats must give way to boats that have the wind behind them.
•When two sailing boats meet, the one on the starboard tack stays on course; the one on the port tack turns toward the wind so they pass on the port (left) side.
•Steam-powered boats are treated like they have the wind behind them and must give way to sailing boats on any tack.

Example

Two sailboats are sailing toward each other, one with the wind coming from its left side (port tack) and the other with the wind coming from its right side (starboard tack).

The boat on the starboard tack keeps its course, while the boat on the port tack turns sharply toward the wind so they both pass on the left side of each other.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 282 Sailing Vessel Right Of Way

Sailing vessels, having the wind fair, shall give way to those on a wind. When both are going by the wind, the vessel on the starboard tack shall keep its wind, and the one on the port tack shall bear up strongly, so as to pass each other on the port side. When both vessels which have the wind large or abeam meet, they shall pass each other in the same way on the port side. To effect the two last-mentioned movements each shall give right rudder. Steam vessels shall be regarded as vessels navigating with a fair wind, and shall give way to sailing vessels on a wind of either tack. (Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

starboard tack port tack fair wind sailing vessels steam vessels

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 282.

§ 282 Sailing Vessel Right Of Way

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 282 Sailing Vessel Right Of Way

This rule tells sailing boats who has to move out of the way and how they should pass each other when they meet on the water.

Key Takeaways

•Sailing boats must give way to boats that have the wind behind them.
•When two sailing boats meet, the one on the starboard tack stays on course; the one on the port tack turns toward the wind so they pass on the port (left) side.
•Steam-powered boats are treated like they have the wind behind them and must give way to sailing boats on any tack.

Example

Two sailboats are sailing toward each other, one with the wind coming from its left side (port tack) and the other with the wind coming from its right side (starboard tack).

The boat on the starboard tack keeps its course, while the boat on the port tack turns sharply toward the wind so they both pass on the left side of each other.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 282 Sailing Vessel Right Of Way

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

starboard tack port tack fair wind sailing vessels steam vessels

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 282.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References