Excerpt from Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing
by Dave Perry, Illustrations by Brad Dellenbaugh
- Now Available -

Rule 42.2 - Prohibited Actions
Without limiting the application of rule 42.1, these actions are prohibited:

  1. pumping: repeated fanning of any sail either by pulling in and releasing the sail or by vertical or athwartships body movement;
  2. rocking: repeated rolling of the boat, induced by
    (1) body movement,
    (2) repeated adjustment of the sails or centreboard, or
    (3) steering;
  3. ooching: sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly;
  4. sculling: repeated movement of the helm that is either forceful or that propels the boat forward or prevents her from moving astern;
  5. repeated tacks or gybes unrelated to changes in the wind or to tactical considerations.

Let me reemphasize: if you do any of these above-listed actions, you have broken rule 42.2. It does not matter whether the action actually propelled the boat, or even if it was capable of propelling the boat! Therefore, it applies to boats of all sizes. Note that class rules (but not sailing instructions!) can change rule 42, including some of the prohibitions in rule 42.2 (see rule 86.1(c), Changes to the Racing Rules).

To understand these descriptions, notice the use of the word “repeated” throughout. The ISAF Interpretations of Rule 42 define “repeated” as “more than once in the same area on a leg.” “Ooching” is the only action prohibited by rule 42.2 that involves a singular movement.

  1. Pumping: the ISAF Interpretations of Rule 42 define “fanning” as “trimming and releasing a sail not in response to changes of wind speed or direction.” So for a sail to be “pumped,” it must be repeatedly pulled in and then released with no apparent connection with wind shifts or gusts, and this is illegal. This can be done using the sheets, or by using body motions. Bouncing up and down on the rail is an example of “vertical” movement; and crossing the boat quickly from side to side is “athwartships” movement. In a small boat with a flexible mast, bouncing can “pump” the top of the sail. Likewise, movement side to side will commonly cause the angle of heel to change, which in turn can act to “pump” the sail. These means of “pumping” are also illegal. Rule 42.3(c) allows limited “pumping” in certain conditions.

    Note, this rule is not designed to inhibit good sailing techniques. On a puffy or shifty day, the mainsail can be trimmed in and out constantly to keep the boat flat or the sails well trimmed, provided it doesn’t become a “fanning” action. Similarly, downwind, the spinnaker sheet can be constantly played in response to changes in apparent wind.
     
  2. Rocking: Your boat is “rocking” when it is repeatedly rolling back and forth. You may be intentionally doing it with your body, or you may have simply encouraged it by pulling your centerboard up, letting your boom way out, and then starting the action like a pendulum. It doesn’t matter whether your body continues to move; if you started your boat rhythmically rolling back and forth, it’s “rocking,” and that is illegal at all times. Obviously, waves themselves will cause the boat to toss about. You do not have to run all over the boat counteracting every wave action. If you’ve ever watched a fleet of boats on a broad reach or run, you know that they all are being tossed in a similar way. If one boat is being intentionally “rocked,” she will stand out instantly as being different from the others.
     
  3. Ooching: “Ooching” is a “sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly.” The key to “ooching” is that it is forward motion, it is sudden, and it is stopped abruptly. Even just one “ooch” is illegal. Pushing or pulling on the mast or shrouds (forward hand movements), slamming forward on the front of the cockpit, mast shrouds or forestay, and subtle abrupt forward motions with the rear or feet are all examples of “ooching” and are illegal at all times.
     
    In diagram 1, Boat X is repeatedly forcefully moving her tiller to turn the boat toward the wind to get past the mark. Even though this action is solely to change the boat's direction, it is being done "repeatedly" and "forcefully" and is therefore "sculling" which is prohibited under rule 42.2. (d)
    In diagram 2, Boat Y is moving slowly and is repeatedly forcefully moving her tiller to turn the boat down from almost head to wind to a close-hauled course. Though this action is "sculling" it is permitted, under rule 42.3(d), as an exception to rule 42.2(d).
  4. Sculling: First of all, any “forceful movement” of the helm is “sculling” and is illegal, unless you are trying to turn back down to close-hauled after getting very slow or stopped (rule 42.3(d)). Second of all, repeated movement of the helm that is turning the boat is not movement that is propelling the boat forward; therefore, it is legal to repeatedly move your tiller back and forth to turn your boat as long as you don’t do it “forcefully.” In that situation, typically your tiller won’t cross centerline and your bow will be clearly moving to one side or the other. Finally, note that if you are stopped, you can’t wiggle your tiller to keep from moving backwards. However, it is legal to slow yourself down by repeatedly moving your helm (rule 42.3(e)).

    Note that in match racing under Appendix C, Match Racing Rules, there is a slightly different rule for “sculling” (rule C2.13) which reads, “Sculling: repeated movement of the helm to propel the boat forward.” This means that forceful movement of the helm is legal as long as it is not propelling the boat forward.
     

  5. Repeated tacks or gybes unrelated to changes in the wind or to tactical considerations: You cannot repeatedly tack or gybe back and forth in quick succession unless you can justify your maneuvers based on changes in the wind (windshifts, etc.) or tactical considerations (covering another boat, etc.). Notice, you can tack or gybe for any reason you want; you just can’t do it “repeatedly” without the specific reasons listed in this rule.