[chewzerita]

Also a convenient way to remember right of way while on the water is to use the port/starboard lights of the approaching boat. If you see green (their starboard side) that means you have the right of way, and red means they have the right of way. Just like traffic lights :)

[bergie]

That only applies between power boats. Between sailboats the direction of wind is what determines the right of way.

And of course power boats must give way to sailing vessels.

[Zironic]

The rule of thumb I go for with boats is that the vessel with worse steering has right of way. For instance a freighter has right of way over a sailing boat regardless of direction or wind because the freighter isn't going to be able to change course in any appreciable amount of time.