Do you use a motor cone when motor sailing?

Mrs Sea Mist II

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Lots of people don't. We've seen the odd person who does. I have to admit we don't always. What does anyone else do and does it matter?
 
Yes - but only most of the time.
No - If I have to motor sail the last 1/2 hour or so and I am busy sorting out other stuff out.

In principle I do it to comply with IRPCS and as I am going to teach this stuff then I may as well not be a hypocrite.

I am not so pedantic to think that my insurance company will flog me and sell my children for scientific study if I don't. If I don't hoist it I don't worry about it.

I do always use an anchor ball. Which is just to port of the mast in the avatar photo and to the left of the summit of the hill.
 
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Lots of people don't.............. and does it matter?

Yes, it does matter!
Having given way many times to yachts apparently under sail, often at considerable inconvenience to myself and crew only to discover that they were under power and could have easily complied with COLREGS, I can get quite steamed up about the negligence and/or arrogance of their skippers.
So do I always hoist a cone? NO. If the time under power will be short, and there is no other vessel in sight that might possibly need to know, then I don't.
But if any vessel in sight might need to know, or if one might suddenly appear out of a fog bank or from behind a headland or pier, then up it goes!
I think that is a sensible way to apply the rules.
 
You dont need to bother with a motoring cone!! For goodness sake, you only have to comply with the parts of the col regs that suit you, dont you? The other bits you can ignore. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise. After all they are only a guidance, it's not like you have a licence or something, you dont have to pass a test, no one can stop you can they?

But if someone infringes a part of the col regs that YOU agree with, well, have a right old go that them! Thats fair isnt it?
 

Can't find it, it is buried somewhere under other stuff.

We never motor with a headsail up, only mainsail or no sail.

I'm not going on deck faffing with hoisting a cone just 'cos the engine went on for 10 minutes to clear the chain ferry

I don't try to claim any sailing rights if motoring

If I'm sailing with just the mainsail (can't remember when I last did) then I would expect to be treated as if motoring

Life is too short

Only hoist anchor ball if anchored in a fairway or unusual location.

Always use an anchor light at night when at anchor
 
Hiya,

Well I use one. Where it says 'Prevention of Collision at Sea' , that is something I am actually quite keen on, i.e. not having one.

Every little helps.
 
No I don't usually but will try to when it is busy (New Year Res). Isn't often busy round here though :)

I hoisted it when I went into Ostend for the first time but got a few " Ooooo look at you" comments from other forumites. I suppose motoring into a harbour with no sails up was a bit of a clue to other seafarers :rolleyes: Didn't bother the second time.
 
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