"I'm racing!" - how to reply

snowleopard said:
So yet again you find a racing fleet crossing your course. One of the back markers comes at you on Port while you are on Starboard. The inevitable cry of 'I'm racing' comes. How best to reply?

'I'm cruising'

'You're not very good at it are you'

'I did wonder but when you missed that last windshift I thought you couldn't be'
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Hail STARBOARD
 
What sour, miserable, self obsessed, awkward b*ggers some people are.

Isn't it considered merely good etiquette to keep out of the way of people racing? It was when I learned sailing. What's hard about that? Why do some people have to set out to be nasty?

Dear me...:|
 
Lakesailor said:
Racers can come across like that.
Don't take it to heart.
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;);):D

Extraordinary, how all the careful pursuit of collision avoidance, technically never to be overlooked, is expected to be dropped, for the doubtful necessity of a bit of sport.

Imagine if we could expect the agreeable support of a line of stationary vehicles at a traffic-light, if we overtook, shouting "Don't mind, do you...we're running a bit late!"

It's never the very small effort of getting out of racers' way that bothers me...it's the gross, whining presumption that their need for our space is greater than our own.

If vessels spotting racers, take action to get out of their way, they've no need to ask...and if they don't choose to get out of the way, it's contemptible to beg for space.

So...ignore them.

Rant over. :rolleyes:
 
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If they are at the back of the fleet ... best to get out of their way as they clearly are not very good and may not be able to either handle the boat properly putting you in danger or two not understanding your sarcastic response and standing on!!!

If they are towards the front of the fleet I doubt the tactician would take the boat anywhere near where a wind shadow could occur unless near a mark, in which case it is good manners to stay well clear.
 
It’s easy to be bloody-minded when someone shouts “I’m racing” but more often than not a little course change early-on to allow a boat that is racing to pass ahead will result in a cheery wave and thankyou shouted across the water. There are a small number of racing skippers that expect this courtesy but why put yourself in a position where you are in the right but may end up with a damaged boat or worse.

People can be an ar$e in all walks of life, best let them continue on their way and carry on enjoying your day rather than getting wound up by them.
 
Georgio said:
It’s easy to be bloody-minded when someone shouts “I’m racing” but more often than not a little course change early-on to allow a boat that is racing to pass ahead will result in a cheery wave and thankyou shouted across the water.
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This is a two way thing... The other day out off Portsmouth the legendary Sunsail fleet floated passed... On a broad reach me beam reach heading in from forts towards Gillkicker? point. One of the boats at the back of the fleet was determined he had to go up wind of us... I just maintained my course sorry I do not want to end up in the middle of the channel. My crew was concerned when they got within 30' of us, I may not of raced for a whilst but I did not consider them close.

If I was feeling bloody minded I would of hoisted the kite and he could of joined me in Southamtpon Water, in fact that lot was one of the reasons for not putting it up I knew I would of mixed with them much more...
 
MASH said:
What sour, miserable, self obsessed, awkward b*ggers some people are.

Isn't it considered merely good etiquette to keep out of the way of people racing? It was when I learned sailing. What's hard about that? Why do some people have to set out to be nasty?

Dear me...:|
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When a fleet of 50 or 60 boats, of different handicap ratings, are tacking, gybing, running and beating over the entire width of the fairway they could be said to be an impediment to navigation. Do you expect to heave-to for an hour or more until they pack up and head for the bar?
 
Georgio said:
It’s easy to be bloody-minded when someone shouts “I’m racing” but more often than not a little course change early-on to allow a boat that is racing to pass ahead will result in a cheery wave and thankyou shouted across the water. There are a small number of racing skippers that expect this courtesy but why put yourself in a position where you are in the right but may end up with a damaged boat or worse.
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They weren't racing - but on a short sail between Cowes and Bembridge we encountered another sailing vessel that I believed to be under instruction going our way - I can't remember the exact circumstances, but they were give way and we had to alter course ... shortly after we altered course - which, iirc was a reasonably significant effort, they gybed/tacked and went back the other way....

Georgio said:
People can be an ar$e in all walks of life, best let them continue on their way and carry on enjoying your day rather than getting wound up by them.
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Indeed they can - but as Onesea has already said - it's a two way thing - if I come across a fleet of racers that I cannot easily avoid then I'll look to those skippers I'll encounter to get an indication of the path of least disruption - for them and me. And for the final part - if I'm going to alter course and it depends on the predictability of the other vessel(s) I will shout "<sailno> Hold your Course". It's only happened a few times and I'm glad I've got dinghy racing experience as it makes it a much calmer event.
 
A recent annoyance has been a small minority of racers expecting me to alter course to enable them to maintain thier clean air. :mad:

With one particularly aggressive day boat - and while sailing downwind - the though of putting the AP kite up and then towing a bucket over the stern so that I didn't overtake him did cross my mind.
 
" I'm racing"
" I can see that from yer backstay Penant ". Whether its there or no.

Look all around with hand over crinkly eyes, as if for a squall .. Then open arms wide, palms up, look mystified . Add ( unkindly) "where?" Or ( more unkindly) ' they went thataway ..."

In reality : Erring on caution I will actually adjust course early enough to be obviously not a problem , who's right, whateverrrrr
 
simon14b said:
...one particularly aggressive dayboat...
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Disgusting behaviour. How do racers maintain pride in their final position, if it's achieved by begging/demanding aspects of the race-route to adjust for their convenience?

Their position at any point is only due to their own earlier choices…they’ve only themselves to blame if their route is busy with non-racers, or if their wind is shadowed.

Racing can be great…so exciting and involving, instructive and good for quick-witted resourcefulness of mind, and for the focus on slicker sailing skills...

...but the moment a racing skipper’s view turns from what he can do himself, to what he could ask others nearby to do for him, the picturesque scene reminds me of opportunistic louts in gutters, expecting passers-by to hand over change. Deserves a similar response. :mad:
 
What really pi**es me off is when I have made a major course change to give them room & am then completely ignored :mad:

Is it that difficult to at least give a brief wave of thanks?

I reckon about 1 in 10 do.
 
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