Confessional, that was close...

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SamanthaTabs

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Sorry to adopt "the confessional" title. So I'm navigating through a passage with rather big rocks either side. Yachts and mobos acting brilliantly. Kayaks and windsurfers not!

After watching closely then having to shove engines hard in reverse to avoid mr. Nocluewhatimdoingorwhyimouthere. Windsurfer, I'm left wondering how it is that no form of competence is needed for pleasure toys to go out on open water? He was a long way out and no steerage or stability.

According to the Boss there is a differation between recreational sport toys and subsequent requirements? (Oh, if you see a muppet on a paddle board around Mallorca please keep clear although if you're that close to shore you'd be aground) :)
 
When windsurfers were a new thing they used to set off from a slip near our club and teeter in front of every boat trying to get by in the narrow channel.

One day we were ghosting along in my Scorpion dinghy in a F2 when idiot windsurfer appears on an intercept course ( we were on starboard but that's quantum physics to this character ) - just as the board was about to hit us broadside on my crew grabbed its' bow and gave it a good waggle.

Big splash, problem solved. :)
 
SamanthaTabs said:
Sorry to adopt "the confessional" title. So I'm navigating through a passage with rather big rocks either side. Yachts and mobos acting brilliantly. Kayaks and windsurfers not!

After watching closely then having to shove engines hard in reverse to avoid mr. Nocluewhatimdoingorwhyimouthere. Windsurfer, I'm left wondering how it is that no form of competence is needed for pleasure toys to go out on open water? He was a long way out and no steerage or stability.

According to the Boss there is a differation between recreational sport toys and subsequent requirements? (Oh, if you see a muppet on a paddle board around Mallorca please keep clear although if you're that close to shore you'd be aground) :)
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Hoist a constrained by draught signal then run f******s down!
 
Then again you can buy any boat sail or power that you want and go off in it with no training whatsoever.
The idiots are those who rent out the boards or local authorities who allow them to be launched into a navigation.
You can move a windsurfer in a flat calm using the sail as a paddle which is something I cannot do with my 10 tons of boat.
 
Yep, constrained by draft - perhaps I need to keep more than the anchor ball to hand in future :)

Is it not only the UK that requires no license? I know for a fact that we needed certification in Portugal during my teenage years.
 
Why wonder about windsurfers and kayaks when any Muppet can buy, rent or borrow any type of vessel as long as it’s for pleasure with no training or competence required.
I used to be a fairly incompetent windsurfer even after the training; I preferred to windsurf close to shore with an onshore breeze.
I think it best to regard beginner windsurfers, as restricted in their ability to maneuver.
What does it cost me to have a little courtesy and avoid them?
 
Couldn't agree more, it's about knowing your level of competence. This particular man was way out there in a relatively narrow gap with rather large rocks either side.
Kayaking I'm competent, on the board not so as yet therefore keep out of the way - common sense really :)
 
SamanthaTabs said:
Couldn't agree more, it's about knowing your level of competence. This particular man was way out there in a relatively narrow gap with rather large rocks either side.
Kayaking I'm competent, on the board not so as yet therefore keep out of the way - common sense really :)
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I don't know the situation, so may be talking out of turn, but collision courses are usually quite easy to spot some time before they become an issue simply because the relevant vessel will appear to be at a constant relevant bearing to you. In which case one can slow down, accelerate or alter course slightly to pass ahead (or preferably astern) of the other boat.

Whether the other vessel is a cruise liner or a windsurfer is largely irrelevant, altho whether they are give way or stand on vessel might be an issue initially, it ceases to be so if the give way vessel doesn't.
 
Agree. He was the stand on vessel, of course I'd been watching him closely and took appropriate steps. That said, being someone who kayaks for several hours at a time, I'd never put myself in that position. The coastline is usually beautiful, hug it :)

The only time I have considered being in danger was when a damned jetski hurtled towards me, and I'm under self propelled power. I understand that the rules state in that situation it was my duty to get out of the way but really? Jetski managing 20mph or more, me kayaking - pathetic speed! Averted that situation by yelling loudly, my poor dog was terrified!!
 
Even in countries with licencing, the boards and canoes often slip under the regs. Here, tenders need to be named for the mother ship and can be used within 300mtr of it or shore. So, 600mtrs off a beach. All other vessels over 2.4mtrs need registration. But not, I think, sailboards or canoes. IIRR, in Portugal you need a licence except within 300mtrs of an envigilated beach.
 
Searush said:
I don't know the situation, so may be talking out of turn, but collision courses are usually quite easy to spot some time before they become an issue simply because the relevant vessel will appear to be at a constant relevant bearing to you. ......
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If they held a constant course and speed for more than 20 seconds, it might be a lot easier!
Alas in the real world, if the Solent IS the real world, kayaks alter their heading 20 degrees with each paddle stroke.
Windsurfers steer for balance and are all over the place.
But there is much more aggro about it on this forum than on the water.
 
SamanthaTabs said:
Sorry to adopt "the confessional" title. So I'm navigating through a passage with rather big rocks either side. Yachts and mobos acting brilliantly. Kayaks and windsurfers not!

After watching closely then having to shove engines hard in reverse to avoid mr. Nocluewhatimdoingorwhyimouthere. Windsurfer, I'm left wondering how it is that no form of competence is needed for pleasure toys to go out on open water? He was a long way out and no steerage or stability.

According to the Boss there is a differation between recreational sport toys and subsequent requirements? (Oh, if you see a muppet on a paddle board around Mallorca please keep clear although if you're that close to shore you'd be aground) :)
Click to expand...

He has steerage and his stability is his ability to hang his ar5e out. But you are much bigger than him so normal rules apply - might is right. Hold course and if he bounces off the side so be it.
 
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