i appear to have turned into a total boat geek

S

symondo

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Took a trip to oban today after attempting to resolve my overheating issue

My mrs noted my need to speak up while watching a man, trying to start his outboard on what i assume was his tender, with no kill cord and his life jacket still sat on the bow of said tender!

Before this i did also witness a close call between a small vessel and the calmac ferry! Im not sure why or even how they didnt see the ferry but they missed it by what looked to be feet!

This was then made worse by the wake from the ferry hitting the smaller craft side on, it didnt look pleasant.

There were a few larger wooden old boats there which looked smart, i did take photos but not seen if they are any good yet.

Needless to say it appears ive turned into a boat geek.
 
My mrs noted my need to speak up while watching a man, trying to start his outboard on what i assume was his tender, with no kill cord and his life jacket still sat on the bow of said tender!
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FFS why? Did he punch you or just look astonished? None of my o/bs have kill cords (too old & slow) & my l/j would be in the boot of the car or a locker on board & I would not appreciate some oick on the dock telling me how to go boating - even if wearing RNLI insignia. Like lakesailor I use BAs in the tender and jolly good cushions they are too.
 
Searush said:
FFS why? Did he punch you or just look astonished? None of my o/bs have kill cords (too old & slow) & my l/j would be in the boot of the car or a locker on board & I would not appreciate some oick on the dock telling me how to go boating - even if wearing RNLI insignia. Like lakesailor I use BAs in the tender and jolly good cushions they are too.
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I didnt go n give him his rights i better add, i just stopped n pointed while having a rant about the lack of safety there. Its like these people i see locally who cycle thier bike.... with the helmet hanging on the handle bars

Id of never noticed this kind of thing before or even given it a second thought.
 
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Trop Cher said:
Have to agree with Searush, nothing to do with you!
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Fair doos, he was left in peace anyway.

Anyone any ideas about this?

Ive adjusted the levels to try and make it a little more visible, the zoom on my phone just about got it...

10544792_10154471169185077_4663343072059719641_n.jpg
 
symondo said:
Needless to say it appears ive turned into a boat geek.
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No you have not. You have become an instant marine health and safety officer.

Now days I sail with a lifejacket as they are relatively small and comfortable to wear, but 20+ years ago hardly anyone wore one unless it was very rough weather. We always took a pragmatic approach to our own safety. The rule of one hand for you and one hand for the boat was sensible, or you wore a safety harness on the foredeck (sometimes you even remembered to clip it on!).

To become a true boat geek you need to be able to talk at length on virtually every production boat made in the past 50 years, know how to solve the most difficult tidal and navigation problems, had major problems with your boat like breaking something major like a mast or loosing a rudder, worked extensively on building/rebuilding parts or complete boats (note plural), read every boating magazine and web site possible, cruise to the ends of the earth and managed to get back in time for tea. Then you can be called a true boat geek.

I may jest but the massive increase in the world of boating has brought many people into this wonderful sport that are cautious and believe there is only one way to do things and that is by the book. Sailing is definitely a risky sport compared to many others, but can be far more exciting and exhilarating.

In the mid 1960's I can remember a Twister owner refused to allow stantions and lifelines on his boat because he thought they gave a false sense of security (I sailed on it once and I did not like it all) - in fact virtually all the yachts in the first half of the 20th century never had lifelines. Today try and buy any substantial boat and it comes with lifelines and an EU rating guide as to the suitable waters it can be used in. Have I made my point that it is no longer the owners or participants choice on what they can do with their boat. There always have been stupid people doing mad things, it seems to still happen on a regular basis, irrespective of the readily available advice and information. Health and safety has quietly taken over our sport and tried to regulate it and the OP has fallen into this trap.
 
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