I'm still learning the rules (both racing or COLREGS), but I'm pretty sure the COLREGS rule apply outside the demarcation line(Point Bonita to Mile Rock) and then Inland Navigation Rules apply inside the bay. And racing rules are always subservient to both when it comes to traffic. Regardless, the more I get out there and experience different scenarios, the better I can understand and apply the rules. Book learning is such an oxymoron. As to racers, ahem. The first year I raced on San Francisco Bay was with a friend on a Hunter 41, a nice fat boat with a furling main and a huge fender tied off the stern because he backed into his dock and didn't feel like untying it every time. We were on a course about to be overlapped by another racer on the same course. All of their crew were staring at us as they got closer and closer. At some point -- practically just before they rode right up over that fender -- one of them yelled, "we're racing." My friend turned around and yelled, "so are we!" They took the overlap to our inside and went on their merry way, but that attitude was an eye opener. Sheez. I used to think "sailboat racing" was such an oxymoron, too. Egos happen at 7 knots! Who knew?!