Exciting times off Cowes today

Forumites with a long memory might recall that once upon a time I used to drive Sunsail boats. Perhaps I still know people who work there.... Who knows....

Perhaps on that basis it might be worth considering what I have, and have not, corrected on this thread.

:encouragement:
 
Why’s that then? Please explain?
If you have sailed frequently in the Solent over the past thirty or more years you would understand that if you come across a Sunsail boat it is best to get out of their way even if you have right of way. Many of their customers do not have a clue when it comes to handling a sailing boat. And when they start racing together it is nothing short of a nightmare heading your way. I know this from first hand experience but that is another story........
 
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Your post made me idly wonder whether the Swiss actually have a navy. So I googled the term and discovered that Swiss Navy is actually a brand of anal sex lube :D

Pete

Hope you were not on a works computer at the time you did that search!
 
Your post made me idly wonder whether the Swiss actually have a navy. So I googled the term and discovered that Swiss Navy is actually a brand of anal sex lube :D

Pete

When I worked on a barge in Burgundy there were lots of hired out jobs - I can only describe them as a mobile home style caravan built onto a raft, with a feeble engine.

Whenever our 280 ton barge ( which wasn't too nimble itself ) appeared these houseboat jobs just motored straight for the river / canal banks like Ducklings - probably a good idea.

Every one of them had a HUGE Swiss ensign, easily 10 X 16' - they could have used them as sails :rolleyes:
 
If you have sailed frequently in the Solent over the past thirty or more years you would understand that if you come across a Sunsail boat it is best to get out of their way even if you have right of way. Many of their customers do not have a clue when it comes to handling a sailing boat. And when they start racing together it is nothing short of a nightmare heading your way. I know this from first hand experience but that is another story........


That is indeed an unwritten Solent by-law: the Sunsail fleet should at all times be treated as in possession of an absolute 'right of way' over all but older steel vessels, which at their own discretion remain free to operate under the colregs.
 
That is indeed an unwritten Solent by-law: the Sunsail fleet should at all times be treated as in possession of an absolute 'right of way' over all but older steel vessels, which at their own discretion remain free to operate under the colregs.

I reckon that's some made up thing by people who are envious of Sunsails success.
 
I reckon that's some made up thing by people who are envious of Sunsails success.
And those with a good sense of their own vulnerability. They're big, quick boats, frequently with inexperienced crews who may not have adequate situational awareness.

Even under power I don't trust 'em, having had one turn across my bow in Portsmouth harbour. Fortunately, I was able to turn inside him or there would have been be another holey Sunsail. Yes, I was the overtaking vessel, but 17. The stand-on vessel The stand-on vessel shall maintain her course and speed

No, it isn't just Sunsail. I keep an eye on anyone who's likely to pass within half a mile of me (half a cable in the Small Boat Channel!), but I'm especially leery of SS and racing fleets, The only boat that really tried to kill me was a Challenge boat on port, when I was on starboard. Typically, it was the losing boat in a two boat race.
 
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