On a port tack, starboard tack, or running before the wind.
When the wind is from the right hand side of the yacht when you are looking towards the front
The best point of sailing is 45 degrees to the wind. If the wind was over the beam you would have to take a port or starboard tack to it.
When two sailboats meet, the one on starboard tack (wind coming across starboard or right side) has the right of way. If both boats are on the same tack, the boat that is downwind, or to "leeward" has the right of way. Sailboats have right of way over all power boats, except vessels constrained by their draft, vessels with limited maneuverability, vessels towing and subs. When a sailboat meets a jet ski they should sail right through it and leave owners for dead.
Starboard is the right side of a ship or aircraft when one is facing forward.
Let's say the wind is coming at you from due North. Generally speaking, you cannot sail any closer to the wind than 45 degrees on either side of it's direction. So you could sail as close to the wind as 45 degrees on a starboard tack, or 315 degrees with your sails on a port tack.
Starboard is to the right; port is left. Taker her hard to starboard, helmsman!
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In racing situations, the general rule is the sailboat on a starboard tack has the right of way. In navigational situations, generally the larger sailboat has right of way, however these rules may vary by country.
Rule 34International:" I AM altering my course to port."Inland: " I INTEND to leave you on my starboard side or I AGREE to a starboard to starboard passing or I INTEND to overtake you on your portside."They intend to pass starboard to starboard side.
Please move that cargo to the starboard side of the poop deck. Scrub the barnacles from the starboard side of the hull. Turn the wheel hard over to starboard, mister!
That you are crossing starboard to starboard or overtaking to port side. (you are passing on YOUR starboard side)