No sailing on the Hamble!

[nimrod1230]

Pottering up the Hamble late on Sunday evening, genoa only, wind on the beam, a medium size motorboat slowed and a strange woman hung over the side telling me I should not be under sail? This was in the upper reaches with almost no river traffic in sight. Your reaction would have been......?

 

[Danny Jo]

Sorry, engine's out of action. (Well it's only in action when it's running, isn't it?)

My introduction to keelboat sailing was on the Hamble, by my grandfather who kept his boat on a mooring off Moody's yard at Swanwick shore. There was room in those days (1959) to tack down the channel between two rows of boats moored fore and aft on piles.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I usually reply "Engine is overheating."

Usually, this season, it has been.

Axshully, I reckon she was talking bollox. The byelaws are here and I haven't spotted anything relating to not sailing. OTOH, you might like to remind her of Byelaw 5...

"The master of a vessel in the River shall navigate the vessel with care and caution and in such a manner and at such a speed as shall not cause nuisance, annoyance, excessive wash, damage or injury nor danger of damage or injury to any other vessel, person, or property in the River nor to the banks of the River or any person or property thereon"

 

[Deleted member 478]

"And you should not be allowed out without your medication".

 

[Deleted member 478]

or perhaps:

"If you're from the River Police, please show me your ID, otherwise, faark off and mind you own business".

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Your reaction would have been......?

[/ QUOTE ]
"Madam I am not sure which is making the greater contribution to global warming, your engine or your mouth".

 

[capnsensible]

Most languages are phonetically based and the average child can be taught in 2 years or less. English, however, has many words that must be memorised, so can take up to 4 years to install. On that basis,there are many and varied ways to respond with wit, humour and finesse.

'Mind your own business you stupid cow' would be a clasic example.

Remember that most of the major road signs in China are in English and you won't go wrong.

Hope this helps.

 

[snowleopard]

There used to be a ban on use of spinnakers within the river - has that also gone?

 

[Talulah]

The following is taken directly off http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hambleharbour/river-users.htm

Sailing
There is no Rule against sailing in the River but the prudent yachtsman will have his motor instantly available and lower sails when the fairway becomes overcrowded. It is unseamanlike for a yacht to hoist a spinnaker in the congested waters above the Warsash Maritime Academy.

 

[Rabbie]

Instead of rude manners and name calling, would it not be more polite and sensible to enquire of the person complaining whether she/he had read the river bye-laws and leave it at that?

 

[capnsensible]

Of course. BUT, isn't it a great feeling to have a good old go??? Or is it just me?

 

[Saddletramp]

I cant hear you - turn your engine off
or
I'll take the sail down you start pushing

 

[Blueboatman]

Dont think I have ever owned an engine that has never ever broken down.
You could have smiled and said''I am sorry-do you require a tow madam?'' /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ggt9]

Was not the lady's action incredibly rude and ill-mannered, as well as ignorant, in the first place?

I'm all for politeness, good manners and restraint but when someone takes such trouble to be so rude to a complete stranger without a shred of justification, then I think a robust response can be entirely appropriate.

 

[KevB]

You should have thanked here politly and continued being unseamanlike - like the bye law says...

"It is unseamanlike for a yacht to hoist a spinnaker in the congested waters above the Warsash Maritime Academy"

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[benjenbav]

It takes all sorts. A few years ago when I had a sailyboat in Chi Marina I left my berth one day only to find that the mighty 9 hp engine wasn't equal to propelling the vessel owing to a surfeit of weed. At max revs I just about managed to get steerage way to regain my berth. A lady sat on a nearby boat called over, "I say, you're making rather a lot of smoke". This was a point which had not escaped my attention. I think I may have blown her a kiss in response.

 

[Sybarite]

This has got to be something to do with the English character. I regularly sail back into the Rade de Lorient in the evening when you have the evening rush-hour return. The entrance is only about 100 yards wide and I have never ever heard a complaint or raised voices from one boat to another. I have never seen a collision there either. At least half the boats are under sail.

A few weeks ago I had to return under sail (flat battery) with an ebb-tide and lightish winds. There were several boats within about 20 metres from me and I asked for water (from a boat to weather about 5 metres away at the time) explaining that I didn't have an option. All passed smoothly and in good humour even though the Groix Ferry was not too far behind.

I feel that those who shout are expressing their own lack of confidence in handling their boats.

John

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
I feel that those who shout are expressing their own lack of confidence in handling their boats.


[/ QUOTE ]

"When in trouble, when in doubt.
Run in circles, scream and shout" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ozzyb]

I've often sailed up to Swanwick if the wind was right. With the engine ready to go if required. Never suspected I was doing wrong , which of course I was wasn't.

Never been shouted at, only some surprised looks out of some cockpits from people not hearing you approach as you quietly ghost past.

Trouble is when someone makes a claim like that you're not always quick to reply other than *?*? OFF! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[flaming]

I don't think I would have been able to speak from laughing.