When two motorboats approach each other, but it is clear that each vessel is so far from the other that no collision hazard exists, they may pass on either side. Overtaking In an overtaking situation, the vessel being overtaken has the right of way and must hold course and speed. The overtaken vessel is the stand-on vessel. Under Federal Law Keep to right in narrow channels. In a narrow channel, sailing vessels have no right to hamper deep draft vessels that can only navigate in channel.
Sailboats have the right of way over motorboats unless they are the overtaking vessels.
Canoes and rowboats have the right of way over sailboats. Any vessel operating under both sail and power is classified as a motorboat. The International Rules are applicable outside established lines of demarcation, and and the Inland rules apply inside those lines. The boat operator is responsible for knowing and following the applicable navigational rules. Stay between the red and green buoys and keep to the right of the channel.