As we start a new sailing season in Toronto, I am going to start a new view of the right-of-way rules. I hope that by giving an overview, I can help my readers understand the rules for themselves. The Racing Rules of Sailing has the right-of-way rules in Part 2 titled “When Boats Meet”. We start with an important concept. Boats are free to sail, at least according to this section of the rules, anywhere, in any direction, at any speed, with any course alteration until they meet another boat or boats. This section of the rules puts limitations on that sailing, once boats meet.