Often misunderstood, the rules on proper course share a common purpose in the racing rules. These rules include not only Rule 17 (when a boat obtains overlap from clear astern to leeward of a boat on the same tack), but also Rule 18.2c2 (when a boat giving mark-room becomes overlapped inside of the boat owed mark-room), Rule 18.4 (limiting a right-of-way boat owed mark-room at a leeward mark to their proper course), and more.
Skip ahead to 3:17 if you are familiar with these rules to find out their common purpose.
This video was edited from its original release to clarify that no rule requires a boat to sail their proper course.
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Sources:
The Case Book for 2021-2024
The Appeals Book for 2021-2024
The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2021-2024
Chapters:
00:00 / Outline
00:34 / Definition of proper course
00:59 / Rule 17 (on the same tack; proper course)
01:53 / Rule 18.2c2 (giving mark-room)
02:22 / Rule 18.4 (gybing)
02:43 / Rule 23.2 (interfering with another boat)
03:17 / Common purpose of proper course rules
05:48 / Other rules that limit a right-of-way boat's actions
07:11 / Misconceptions about proper course
09:28 / Rule 18.1b (when Rule 18 applies)
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