NOT a troll, but why do dingy sailors/racers...

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What this means is, when you set your racing marks and finish line right across the channel

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Just a thought, but if you recognised the situation why didn't you hang back until after the fleet had passed? Or were you in a hurry?
Most racers I've ever met would far rather deal with a stationary obstacle than one trying to avoid collision with 15 boats at once.
 
When the fleet is spread out that could mean sitting and waiting 15-20 minutes ...

If it is a start line and the fleet is milling around - if you are on course side you're gonna be in deep doo doo ... (ok - well you're not, but it'll feel like it) and if you are on the other side then you're going to have to follow them up the channel - at which point they'll go round a mark and turn back to face you ... Doh!
 
In the particular situation fresh in ones mind, I was coming out of Sparkes Marina in the very narrow channel. This channel is away from the main harbour. I was already mid channel with no option to deviate to port or starboard. A fleet of 8 or 9 dingies heading back to HISC came from my port 1/4. I shut the power off so that they would have a stationary object to avoid, I received three shouted comments:

'Can you slow down please'

'Can't you just get out of the way'

'We are Racing you know'

?
 
If the fleet is spread out, then avoiding one boat at a time is surely possible, I was talking about avoiding the big clumps of boats that happen at starts and marks.
For what it's worth, if I saw a dingy start I'd definately keep clear, I'd probably slow down and watch the fun too! And if I realised a mark ahead was a racing mark I'd just use the other side of the channel. The odd racer that you'll meet otherwise shouldn't be a problem.
 
"One thing with a dinghy is you dont have a option of going astern where as in a mobo you do.
In a dinghy you have a lot less control than a twin engine mobo and are in a much more precarious situation with regard to going in etc"

Then learn to sail a a dinghy backwards. It's not hard. At Langstone SC, when I was a sprightly young thing we even had backward-sailing races on fun-days.

As for control, if you can't sail a dinghy to an inch-perfect position, take some more training.
 
When there are 40 plus boats in the fleet they can be quite spread out and leave no clear path through ....

If each boat is approx 15' then 40 boats is 200 yards of barrier ... then consider that they are likely to be a boat length apart (some over lapped, some 3 boat lengths apart) - then you're talking about 400 yards of moving barrier ... makes it harder and harder to get through....
 
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'Can you slow down please' - 'Can't you just get out of the way' - 'We are Racing you know'

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Thats a shame, some folk, and yes more than a handful at HISC, expect all others to make some monumental Mosses type parting of the seas effort, in avoiding them at all costs when they are ‘racing’…

My thoughts are, well [--word removed--] happens, when racing, yes can be bloody frustrating if you feel your position has been compromised perhaps by some ‘happening’ with another boater… But you know what we all are lucky enough to be afloat and we all have a right to be there, tuff inn’it if you have manoeuvre alittle..
 
I don't think the problem lies directly with the dinghy sailors themselves, it's the numb nut who sets the start/finish line across the main fairways.

In Chichester Harbour particularly it's like having a zebra crossing on the M25 near Heathrow. Madness.
 
Funnily enough - M25 is exactly what we call Chichester Channel - especially at free flow times ... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
As a dinghy racer (recently converted to bigger yachts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) I feel I should dip my toe in the water (so to speak) and shed some light on the 'other' side of the coin.

In the majority of cases, the dinghy courses are not set within any channels or shipping lanes, and therefore it is not unrealistic to expect power vessels to keep completely clear of us. I have only once (in 15 years of racing an international level) had a course set in a navigational lane.
As has been said, dinghies can maneouvre on a sixpence (part of the skill involved) and can avoid yachts etc literally by inches without fear or danger (to the dinghies!) - look at how close they get to the committee boat on the start line!
The thing that really winds dinghy racers up - is motor boats cutting across the bows of them (or the fleet) mid race and causing a wake - this can slow the boat and takes considerable time to speed up again. A wide berth is always appreciated - but they'll let you know if your too close (beware of the language though - it can get colourful /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ).
In terms of racing in navigation channels - that's a different kettle of fish, and the sailing instructions for the racing will specifically include a section on right of way to vessells constrained by draft - although they will take this (as has been said ealier) to mean they can approach a vessel and almost touch it before tacking away!

All in all, as a dinghy racer, I would say try to keep clear of the whole racing area if possible, and if not try to pass behind the fleet rather than in front of of through it. However I can appreciate it can look confusing, and in areas where draft is an issue then simply 'go slow and let them move out of your way' - if they are getting close and you haven't made eye contact a quick shout to get their attention (in a friendly way) and they will be quickly be able to tack etc - the use of horn's would irritate them, a friendly 'sorry but I'm constrained by draft and can't go out the channel' would be much better.

I fear I may have opened myself to a barrage of abuse here, but these are my experiences and being at the other end of the stick this is what (IMHO) would best avoid/help the situation.

Jonny
 
Funnily enough the dinghy sailors at chichester yacht club have to give way to any vessel in the fairway to chichester marina. As part of their membership I believe they have to sign to say they understand this.
 
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(in 15 years of racing an international level)

[/ QUOTE ] There's the problem - racing in Opens or Worlds/Nationals the Race team will deliberately take the fleet out into open waters away from any potentially unfair influences. HISC will take their fleets out into the bay (South of Hayling) and run their big races out there, where there is plenty of water for all.

The issues generally occur INSIDE Chichester Harbour (and others) where there is local club racing going on, when it is impractical for the club to take it's racing fleet over an hour to get outside the harbour for 1x1-2hr race and similar time back again.
The channels in Chi harbour are not that wide and are generally flanked by steep banks to shallow areas (getting shallower by the day) - this is probably the same in quite a few other harbours too.
95% of the time the harbour is clear of racing fleets ... just unfortunate that the 5% of the time is at the weekends whilst everyone else is trying to get in and out too!
 
That is a rather narrow channel though isn't it! I have to push the Mobos out the way cos I'm most likely to hit the bottom at times ... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Still - only over the winter ... then I decamp to a nice quiet part of the harbour - away from the crowds !! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Why do so many people think that others who sail in small boats are dingy? Most of them have brightly coloured hulls and sails, and some even have very bright names, so why are they dingy please?
 
Re: What can be done about dinghy racers...

Am just taking a breather from writing a report on speeding off the Wittering and Hayling beaches (watch this space) and must observe that conflict results from intolerance which results from ignorance. And there's enough of that evident in the above.

There are more effective ways of expressing your views than in this forum, namely thro the Chichester Federation Rep of your local club or bertholders' association. I've just assumed that role myself and have uncovered a great deal of frustration, particularly from cruisers proceeding to/from Birdham Pool & Chi Marina having to dodge racing fleets in Itchenor Reach.

I will be representing that at Federation level before next season, so if you don't belong to a local club but have strong views then you are welcome to contact me.

To put this issue into perspective: the Harbourmaster has just circulated every berth holder about protecting East Head. I am confident that he would take similar action on this issue if persuaded that it was equally important.

You have a voice, so let it be heard where it counts.

(Jez, lets talk further at the the next Wokingham meet)

CJH
 
Is it just me?

In 30 years of sailing in Chichester Harbour I've never really had a problem with dinghy sailors that I can recall

Sure they get close, but we quite enjoy mixing it with the fleets, giving way whenever we can. We see some stubborn cruising boats (both power and sail) who keep going, even though it would cost them little to alter course for the few moments it takes to let them through. SWMBO loves to get her camera out and get some close shots as they zip across sometimes just feet ahead

They add colour and excitement and I have no problem sharing the harbour with them
 
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