Sailboats under sail generally have right of way over most recreational powerboats because sailboats are assumed to have more restricted maneuverability than powerboats for example a sailboat cannot turn and sail straight into the wind to avoid a collision.

Sailing vessel right of way. The vessel which has the wind on its starboard right side has the right of way. The leeward boat has right-of-way and the windward boat has to keep clear or give way. A When two sailing vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows.

As defined a sailing vessel is under sail only if. The only situation where a sailing vessel will be a give-way vessel is when its overtaking a power-vessel. When things go wrong.

Recreational boating as we know it today didnt exist. When both boats have the wind on the same side the windward upwind boat has to give way. Sailing vessels always give-way when overtaking and stand-on if being overtaken.

The other boat the give-way vessel shall maneuver to keep clear of the stand-on vessel and shall pass it. Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of any vessel that is not under command Non-powered craft including sailboats canoes paddle-boats sailboards and racing shells generally have the right-of-way over power-driven pleasure craft All motorized boats and sailboats under 20 m in length must steer clear of larger less maneuverable vessels. Imagine a time way back when ships at sea had no rules governing their right of way and avoiding collisions.

A sailing vessel using its motor is considered to be power vessel even though sails motor sailing may be hoisted. Yachts should stay well clear of these vessels. The vessel which has the wind on its port left side must give way.

Which boat is the leeward boat. If you said the boat on the left you were correct. If the leeward boat was on a starboard tack then the windward boat would be the give way boat no matter which tack the windward vessel was on port gives way to starboard or same tack windward gives way to leeward.