IOW ferry

[l'escargot]

I expect he was making an analogy with driving a car as it's clearly bad behaviour to drive (a car) on the wrong side of the road, but happens in boats much more often without the skipper necessarily realizing.

I've never been comfortable saying i'm "sailing" a motorboat, "helming" sounds contrived, "steering" seems too specific, "skippering" sounds pretentious, so "driving" one isn't so bad. The government thinks it's ok too:

https://www.gov.uk/owning-a-boat/safety-on-inland-waterways
"Rules of the waterways
You must drive on the right and pass other boats port to port on all waterways."

not that they're the authority on such matters. What verb would you use?

I think it is probably more demonstrative of the common attitude of some moboers that taking a boat out is akin to driving their car along the road, you certainly see some "driving" like that in the Solent. There is a bit more to handling a boat than that, certainly sailing boats, and apart from a prescribed side to pass an approaching vehicle there are very few similarities. Inland waterways aren't applicable to the sea. I certainly never refer to "driving" my boat or refer to being on the "road" when I'm on the sea, just like I don't refer to sailing my car on the water when I drive anywhere. I use different verbs to describe different situations.

 

[l'escargot]

In my experience it's always the motorboats that seem to be on the wrong side...and try to bully past and make oncoming boats move out of their way.

It's those big motorboats that insist on overtaking...

 

[KevinT1]

We always have a chuckle entering leaving Portsmouth. So many sailboats on the wrong side. I don't proclaim to be an expert with two years and 150 hours under my belt, by I try to drive on the correct side of the road

does the analogy to driving on the correct side of the road extend to driving on the left - is that where we have the problem ??

 

[benjenbav]

does the analogy to driving on the correct side of the road extend to driving on the left - is that where we have the problem ??

I think the driving reference is probably a red herring. imho, outbound boats often tend to give the sea wall of Fort Blockhouse rather a wider berth than necessary.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I certainly never refer to "driving" my boat or refer to being on the "road" when I'm on the sea,

I bet you're also the type of sailor who strikes their ensign religiously at sunset or 21.00 and is up with the lark to hoist it at 08.00 and who harumphs into his beard when others do not IMHO in this day and age, you can use any terminology you like providing it is fully understood by the persons to whom it is addressed

 

[Anders_P42]

I think talking about "driving" your motorboat on the "correct side of the road" may encourage an unfavourable view of the average motor boater...

I apologise if my terminology is incorrect. At least I make the effort of following the rules.

 

[Anders_P42]

In my experience it's always the motorboats that seem to be on the wrong side...and try to bully past and make oncoming boats move out of their way.

Those mobos are probably on the wrong side so as to avoid a collision with the sailboat on the wrong side!

 

[l'escargot]

I bet you're also the type of sailor who strikes their ensign religiously at sunset or 21.00 and is up with the lark to hoist it at 08.00 and who harumphs into his beard when others do not IMHO in this day and age, you can use any terminology you like providing it is fully understood by the persons to whom it is addressed

No I'm not actually. I usually put it out when I get on the boat and take it down when I leave - be it days or weeks later. I don't think I've ever harumphed either. I find using the correct terminology helps avoid confusion though - I think telling people that I "drive on the right side of the road" would give the impression that I was in my car not my boat wouldn't it?

 

[l'escargot]

I apologise if my terminology is incorrect. At least I make the effort of following the rules.

Good, be nice if all of the motorboats driving in and out Portsmouth did too...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

No I'm not actually. I usually put it out when I get on the boat and take it down when I leave - be it days or weeks later.

Blimey thats a heinous crime against flag etiquette and IMHO a far more serious offence that driving a boat instead of helming or steering it

 

[l'escargot]

Blimey thats a heinous crime against flag etiquette and IMHO a far more serious offence that driving a boat instead of helming or steering it

I learnt it from a mobo - damn the expense :encouragement:

On my RIB it's cable tied on and never comes off - even when I tow it down the road...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

On my RIB it's cable tied on and never comes off - even when I tow it down the road...

Oh Lord it gets worse!

 

[Blue Sunray]

Oh Lord it gets worse!

Don't worry, its probably a Union Jack as well.

 

[l'escargot]

Don't worry, its probably a Union Jack as well.

It might be grey but it's a RIB not a warship!

 

[lionelz]

It might be grey but it's a RIB not a warship!

LOL But if it was a war ship would you drive it on the right side of the road

 

[l'escargot]

LOL But if it was a war ship would you drive it on the right side of the road

If it was a warship I wouldn't drive it on the road at all! And I certainly wouldn't be able to tow it behind my car...

 

[l'escargot]

Oh Lord it gets worse!

Here you go - identify my ensign:

:encouragement:

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Here you go - identify my ensign:

It's the flappy thing hanging from the back of your boat...

 

[Pinnacle]

It's the flappy thing hanging from the back of your boat...

Hee hee....

 

[Blue Sunray]

Here you go - identify my ensign:

:encouragement:

Looks like one of the dodgy designs that the Kiwis rejected.