BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Who Has Right of Way at Sea? The Basic Rules Before You Take the Helm
Sail versus power, crossing or overtaking: the COLREG right-of-way rules worth knowing before a day out, even on a simple day rental.
Unlike the road, there are no signs at sea — just a handful of right-of-way rules, simple once you know them, that head off most close encounters between boats.
Sail beats power
A sailboat under sail generally has right of way over a powered vessel, which must alter course or speed to avoid it. One catch: the moment a sailboat's engine is running, even with sails up, it counts as a powered vessel and loses that priority.
Two powered boats crossing
When two powered boats are on a crossing, collision course, the one that sees the other on its starboard side (to the right) must give way — in practice, priority goes to the boat coming from the right.
Two sailboats under sail
Between two sailboats, it depends on tack: on opposite tacks, the boat on starboard tack (wind coming over the starboard side) has right of way. On the same tack, the leeward boat has right of way over the one to windward.
Overtaking: the overtaker always gives way
Whatever the boat types involved, a vessel overtaking another from behind must always manoeuvre to keep clear — even a powered boat overtaking a sailboat. The overtaking rule trumps the usual sail-versus-power hierarchy.
In practice, on a rental boat
On a day rental, these rules mostly serve to help you anticipate: slow down early, leave a clear passage, and never assume the other boat will manoeuvre first. They pair well with our 300-metre band guide and our VHF and safety at sea guide.
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