[paulk]

George is right. I also find that many people don''t understand that "proper course" is NOT necessarily the rhumbline to the next mark. Your proper course, without a spinnaker, for example, could be much higher than someone else who has a chute up. If your paths cross and you start your overlap from further than 2 boatlengths to leeward of him, (you''re not "overtaking"; you''re simply on converging courses) he''s got to keep clear of you. Windward''s hailing "Go back to your proper course!" because he wants you to head off the way he is, has no meaning. Your proper course is simply different from his.