Ive been looking into right of way rules to try and keep my end up!
I saw one video that suggested kite boarders are obliged to give way to all other vessels regardless of port and starboard position. I agree, me on a little board would not want argue the point too far on a 60 meter yacht or even a sailboard.
But I would like to think if either mowed me down and I was killed, whilst ignoring the basic right of way rules of sailing the Fckr at the helm would likely go to jail.
Does standard sailing rules apply re port and starboard?
Basic waterway rules apply, power gives way to sail & starboard direction has right of way.
BUT
100% agree with you on the common sense side. I'd much rather give way, shout and swear at the guy to make myself feel better and carry on kiting rather than get chopped up by his prop but 'be right.'
The common mistake a lot of kiters do is when they are in a situation where both are heading towards each other and both are trying to go up wind. Who gives way first? Generally, the one that is the fastest or seems to be going upwind more should lift his kite to allow the guy downwind to keep going. Basically, always give way to what is downwind of you. Is that right Christian?
Select to expand quoteNorthernKitesAUS said..
The common mistake a lot of kiters do is when they are in a situation where both are heading towards each other and both are trying to go up wind. Who gives way first? Generally, the one that is the fastest or seems to be going upwind more should lift his kite to allow the guy downwind to keep going. Basically, always give way to what is downwind of you. Is that right Christian?
im new to kiting but not new to sailing. left hand forward on yr bar, is on port tack and is obliged to give way..
upwind sailor lifts kite, downwind keeps kite low. simple logic there, upwind kiters kite would sever the downwind kiters head off so keep it a bit high huh.
others I have found are.
on same tack faster rider should pass below (downwind) with kite low. Slower rider (upwind kiter,chopping head issue) keeps kite high
kiter leaving the beach has right of way over all!
kiter on wave has right of way over all, Except kiter leaving the beach
pls correct me if wrong but that's what I have found so far.
The way I remember is right foot forwards - right of way (normal riding stance).
See here: www.britishkitesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/rights-of-way-tri-fold-w-o-folds.pdf
The last one is key. It is your responsibility to avoid a collision.
Yeah seems all the same, like the comment about riding switch. Throws spanner into simple logic.
Select to expand quoteRichoa said..NorthernKitesAUS said..
The common mistake a lot of kiters do is when they are in a situation where both are heading towards each other and both are trying to go up wind. Who gives way first? Generally, the one that is the fastest or seems to be going upwind more should lift his kite to allow the guy downwind to keep going. Basically, always give way to what is downwind of you. Is that right Christian?
im new to kiting but not new to sailing. left hand forward on yr bar, is on port tack and is obliged to give way..
upwind sailor lifts kite, downwind keeps kite low. simple logic there, upwind kiters kite would sever the downwind kiters head off so keep it a bit high huh.
others I have found are.
on same tack faster rider should pass below (downwind) with kite low. Slower rider (upwind kiter,chopping head issue) keeps kite high
kiter leaving the beach has right of way over all!
kiter on wave has right of way over all, Except kiter leaving the beach
pls correct me if wrong but that's what I have found so far.
Yep, you've listed the basic rules that I've seen followed at most kite spots, the other unwritten rule is look over your shoulder when you go to turn/gybe and look over your shoulder and downwind when you jump. This is a really important thing to keep in mind to avoid collisions.
Generally its not worth overtaking anyone in front you but rather gybe/tack so you you get clean wind and don't interfere with each other and tangle kites.
At some kite spots starboard dosnt get right of way-small ponds, waves but you more or less form a queue and go one at time depending on ability or local priority.
Also board shorts are too be worn on the outside of your wetsuit lol
Select to expand quoteweebitbreezy said..
The way I remember is right foot forwards - right of way (normal riding stance).
See here: www.britishkitesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/rights-of-way-tri-fold-w-o-folds.pdf
The last one is key. It is your responsibility to avoid a collision.
Hum , my normal stance is left foot forward..... Kite coming into the beach has right of way. Except in a pure on shore wind- kite closest to beach has right of way wind dependant
Select to expand quote1KJ said..
Geez i hope you lot dont kite the same spot you all have different rules
Not really they all meant exactly the same thing expressed in diff way. Ie left foot forward or left hand forward gives way. Vs right foot forward has right of way. All agree just a diff way of remembering tack yr on.
except Gary's post which must be local rule. But not sure how that would hold up if under accident review by marintine services???
To all this I would add that because we are smoking all the other sailors so much (i.e. going way faster than them) they will not have time between seeing us-then wishing they were us- then deciding whether to get out of the way or not....and by that time we are waaaaaay past them 
...so may as well get out of the way if in doubt~~
Starboard tack has right of way.
That's very clear! On port tack you have no rights... It's very basic that's why you need to have a basic understanding of port and starboard.
The rules I have seen vary a little:
Faster kiter on the same tack can pass either upwind or downwind as long as the slower kiter can stay on his course.
Returning to shore kiter (finishing his session) has right over launching kiter I though?
Select to expand quoteSwavek said..
The rules I have seen vary a little:
Faster kiter on the same tack can pass either upwind or downwind as long as the slower kiter can stay on his course.
Returning to shore kiter (finishing his session) has right over launching kiter I though?
How is it you judge he can stay on course or at the point he suddenly cant are you wrong?
Select to expand quoteSwavek said..
The rules I have seen vary a little:
Faster kiter on the same tack can pass either upwind or downwind as long as the slower kiter can stay on his course.
Returning to shore kiter (finishing his session) has right over launching kiter I though?
I think this is probably something to consider if overtaking and comes back to the notion of judgement.
When I first started I was much happier having people overtake me upwind as I had far more confidence in their ability to stay upwind than in mine. If someone came past me downwind of me, I'd be a bit nervy of losing a bit of power and having to head downwind right where that kiter has just passed (and is still in the vicinity)
Although I was under the impression that person on the beach/entering the water has right of way as they've got nowhere else to go, ie you're not supposed to have your kite pointing towards land in case of a gust/equipment failure etc
Select to expand quoteGarryA said..weebitbreezy said..
The way I remember is right foot forwards - right of way (normal riding stance).
See here: www.britishkitesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/rights-of-way-tri-fold-w-o-folds.pdf
The last one is key. It is your responsibility to avoid a collision.
Hum , my normal stance is left foot forward..... Kite coming into the beach has right of way. Except in a pure on shore wind- kite closest to beach has right of way wind dependant
Normal riding stance = heel side stance, as opposed to toe-side
Collision regulations can be found in a copy of your "small ships manual". Pay close attention to number 2 and don't have an accident.
Select to expand quotePommyMike said..Swavek said..
The rules I have seen vary a little:
Faster kiter on the same tack can pass either upwind or downwind as long as the slower kiter can stay on his course.
Returning to shore kiter (finishing his session) has right over launching kiter I though?
I think this is probably something to consider if overtaking and comes back to the notion of judgement.
When I first started I was much happier having people overtake me upwind as I had far more confidence in their ability to stay upwind than in mine. If someone came past me downwind of me, I'd be a bit nervy of losing a bit of power and having to head downwind right where that kiter has just passed (and is still in the vicinity)
Although I was under the impression that person on the beach/entering the water has right of way as they've got nowhere else to go, ie you're not supposed to have your kite pointing towards land in case of a gust/equipment failure etc
+1
