Exciting times off Cowes today

I do when there are only two boats racing and they're identical :)

The leading boat altered course a few degrees a couple of cables away and passed quite close astern - no problem. The idiot held their course until the only way a collision was to crash-tack so I ended up hove to on port. It's the only time I've ever done a CHIRP report, but the company went bust shortly after, so they couldn't talk to them.
 
I reckon that's some made up thing by people who are envious of Sunsails success.

It's probably a combination of that an a reluctance to share one's playpen with people who a a little bit different from what these types consider 'proper' sailors. Can't have 'grockles' coming down and enjoying themselves just because they afford to can pay for it.
 
It may have been the ironic use of the term “right of way” whilst criticising others colregs knowledge that he was “oh no” ing.

I only started sailing Lake Solent three years ago, in my retirement, albeit my own boat is berthed within The Clyde.

In the previous 25 years or thereabouts, sailing North Wales and west coast, Scotland, I had never heard a vessel sound 5 blasts. Especially in the summer season, it’s almost guaranteed to be heard at least once a day. I’ve witnessed some pretty blatant disregard of ColRegs by recreational sailors. Pot and kettle comes to mind.:)
 
To get back to the original thread, the boat was being raised just now when the mast broke and fell onto the stern of the workboat, appearing to throw one of the guys overboard. He was hauled back quickly, it's now out at coachroof level and seemingly being prepared for a tow, possibly into CYH as the nearest lift

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To get back to the original thread, the boat was being raised just now when the mast broke and fell onto the stern of the workboat, appearing to throw one of the guys overboard. He was hauled back quickly, it's now out at coachroof level and seemingly being prepared for a tow, possibly into CYH as the nearest lift



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Out of interest any idea how they refloated it? I can only see a Buoy/Bag at the bow? Please do send the gory pictures of the damage from CYH if you can ;-)

I recall seeing the last sunken Sunsail boat at Port Solent and it was interesting to see the damage
 
Out of interest any idea how they refloated it? I can only see a Buoy/Bag at the bow? Please do send the gory pictures of the damage from CYH if you can ;-)

I recall seeing the last sunken Sunsail boat at Port Solent and it was interesting to see the damage

I'm guessing (sure an expert will shoot me down...) airbags, divers were down beforehand, they're still dinking around it at the moment, I'll certainly pop down to CYH later to see it does go there - it's a long way to Port Solent from here !
 
To be fair on Sunsail sailors...

Yes I've had the odd moment of uncertainty with the odd Sunsail yacht on the Solent... but far, far fewer than I've had with many plonkers in their own fancy yachts, with several racing boats (usually on their way home but still measuring safe distance in millimetres!) and with some absolute cretins with a few thousand horse-power at their disposal.

If one actually bothered to stop and think about it, the likelihood is that Sunsail are chartering out to the less than fully experienced, certainly as regards Solent conditions and congestion. These people are as fully entitled to sail there as recently-qualified drivers are entitled to drive on the roads - and be accorded the same patience and courtesy.

I've also frequently been in areas where the Sunsail fleet is racing and have only ever been met with timely and correct alterations, etc.

I'm sorry for the Swiss crew in this case - and glad there were no fatalities or serious injuries. No-one here knows for certain exactly what happened to cause the accident. It is possible that the boat suffered a failure (rudder?) and then hit the buoy, or that a misjudgement caused the strike and the rudder was lost afterwards?

I assume this knowledge will eventually become available...?
 
To be fair on Sunsail sailors...

Yes I've had the odd moment of uncertainty with the odd Sunsail yacht on the Solent... but far, far fewer than I've had with many plonkers in their own fancy yachts, with several racing boats (usually on their way home but still measuring safe distance in millimetres!) and with some absolute cretins with a few thousand horse-power at their disposal.

If one actually bothered to stop and think about it, the likelihood is that Sunsail are chartering out to the less than fully experienced, certainly as regards Solent conditions and congestion. These people are as fully entitled to sail there as recently-qualified drivers are entitled to drive on the roads - and be accorded the same patience and courtesy.

I've also frequently been in areas where the Sunsail fleet is racing and have only ever been met with timely and correct alterations, etc.

No, sorry, that's all a bit too reasonable for an internet forum. What's your take on jetskis?
 
The point with the Sunsail boats, is that they may be skippered by a professional, in which case they behave impeccably, or they may be skippered/driven by a punter on a day out. In the latter case, the boats can behave an unpredictable and sometimes dangerous manner.

So most locals keep away where possible and to be fair Sunsail do seem to try and pick less busy stretches of water.

And everybody is happy! ;)
 
Any cock-up in the Eastern Solent has about a 50% chance of being Sunsail, which is not bad considering they account for more than 50% of the yacht traffic some days.
To be fair, I regard them as better than the average sailing school or charter boat outfit.
 
To return to the original subject again, it seems they're not having much luck with recovery thus far. The Workboat, RIB's and the Sunsail yacht drifted on 2 - 3 knots of ebb tide down almost to Thorness Bay but now seem to be a little closer to Gurnard again. I guess if they try to move at much more than a snail's pace there might be a danger of the yacht nosediving ?
 
No, sorry, that's all a bit too reasonable for an internet forum. What's your take on jetskis?

Your question brings to mind a jetskier I once saw on the Fowey launching his machine down a slipway. "Here", he said to his scantily-costumed girlfriend, "Put this on", as he threw the buoyancy aid straight into some muddy water!
 
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