Powerboaters too

[WayneS]

I was about to post this in the Powerboaters thread below but that seems to have degenerated into a slanging match so, lets start another.

As a raggie I have my moments when I wish that I had a torpedo on board to sink the stinky but in general I am tolerant, as they are of me.

One event this past week-end threatened to change my view though.

I was sailing with my 13 year old on her topper up Lymington past the Lymington Marina on Monday, and as the wind was from the west, I kept to the western side of the river to leave room to manoeuvre.

All of a sardine a v lage (>40') stinky came out of one of the arms of the Marina and straight across the channel, not 20 yards ahead of us causing us to have to make a very rapid gybe to avoid them.

In my usual way I shouted that the use of their eyes, a little respect for other boats and a basic knowledge of the rules of way might not go amiss. I was a little concerned that the response that I got from some female strutting around on the bridge was that "We only have one engine so YOU look where you are going". I thought better than to respond cos it would only confuse her single braincell and cause terminal damage.

All that I can hope is that the failed engine is a write-off and it stops them from boating ever again.

I must stress, this is not a pop at stinkies, I would have reacted the same if a raggie came out like that.

Wayne

 

[chas]

I know what you mean. I agree with LJS' comments in the previous thread about the general harmony on the Exe. The exception that proves the rule passed through some moorings on Sunday at about 15 knots and 10 feet from me. He waved. I did not, as I had been working on my engine and his happy passage caused a pot of nuts, washers and bolts to distribute themselves all over the bilge. I could have quite cheerfully strung him up.

 

[Trevethan]

Its such shame people can behave so badly... The simple fact is that there idiots who drive boats.. no matter what propulsion they use... like there are idiots who drive cars... (though I am sure diesel and petrol fumes addle the brains more than the odd crack on the head with the boom.. *g*)

Question is what to do about them? If you have VHF a call to the HM or CG? Any other suggestions? The more embarrassing the better!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Can you rig a torpedo on a Topper?

As a ex-Lymingtonian, the point where the Yacht Haven entrance emerges at right angles to the river (and close to the wave barrier too) is always worth some circumspection. Whether entering or leaving LYH many people seem to have their minds elsewhere than on traffic at that point. The presence of lots of other vessels including (usually) the Yarmouth ferry also cuts down the ducking and diving options somewhat.

 

[wakeup]

Why not have a 'Hall of A##holes' here on the forum.

Disgruntled raggies and stinkies can take down the name of any boat that behaves idiotically and report them on the board. We could even have a ranking system for worst and repeat offenders. Could also gain a fairer perspective about the types of boats involved in such incidents.

They may not read the forum but that sort of thing soon gets around in their local marinas etc.

yada yada..

 

[andyball]

A paintball gun.....

would probably do the trick.

 

[Guest]

Sounds a good idea to me. Name and shame them, I'm in.

 

[Guest]

Sell all you\'re Gizmo\'s and.............

buy a wide angled video camera sited on the mast and get the bounders on film ! You know , like when we had the cod wars with Iceland it made grand viewing ( at the time I honestly believed that we were in the right - whose having the last laugh now though ? ).

Anyway, back to where I was. Instead of boring friend's and neighbour's with holiday movies we could show real live, real life action. I think some artistic licence should be allowed by having the right software package to touch up Red Ensigns to Blue Ensigns where fit, and also add a few more tattoos, beerguts for stinkies say and deleting a few chins and clenched arse's for raggies.

At the end of season each year ( Sponsored by Yachting Monthly, Motorboat etc) we could have an awards bash. Categories for best punch up, biggest gash in gelcoat etc etc

p.s. It's a waste of time reporting 'incidents' to the Coastguard service and I think good old fashioned violence ( step outside son and settle this like a man ! ) should make a bigger comeback than it is currently enjoying in decent society.

p.p.s Like it says in the shops - I always prosecute miscreants when encountered on the water. After they come out of hospital that is.

 

[luckyjimbo]

Re:See Powerboaters.

Can't be arsed!.

 

[Oldhand]

Re:See Powerboaters.

Perhaps someone could also explain why "commercial" vessels don't seem to believe that river speed limits apply to them (along with RIBS). The Yarmouth "Plough" (has anyone seen a worse tub?) in the Lymington River is a typical example.

 

[hlb]

Re: Ah But!

Afraid I have to agree with the stink pot. I too have had occasions when one engine has packed in. It leaves me with a turning circle of about three miles. This can be improved some what by dropping a trim tab on the running engine side. The down side of this is that when the power is taken off. The boat slews round uncontrolably and returning to the desired course in confined waters is imposible. I came across a very similar situation in Falmouth a couple of years ago. Having got the marina tug boat to push me into the marina for the night. Then turn me round in the morning and point me out to sea. Doing about 8 knots across the outer harbour my course took me within about 30 yards of a parked up rag boat. At the last minute he pulled in his sails and set off across my bows.
I now have a number of options. Knock off the power, causing the boat to slew round and hit the bugger. Raise the trim tab first. Which takes about 30 seconds, so I still hit him. I'm also quite unprepaired to circle Falmouth harbour two or three times in the hope of regaining my course. Or resending for the marina tug boat which was now three miles back up the river. And being a vessel unable to manuver with therefore right of way. I stuck to my course with the correct proceedure. Loads of loud blasts on the horn! Eventualy he got the message. Gybed and they all landed in a heap in the bottom of the boat. Surfacing, there shaking there fists. As is normal. The moral of the story. Just because youve got a lump of rag stuck up. Does not give you right of way in all situations and especialy in restricted water. Just behave and keep out of the bloody way.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[WayneS]

Re: Ah But!

I do not believe what I have just read.

Anyone and everyone have an obligation to prevent a collision at sea. If any vessel is out of control, then they should at the very least, put things in place to warn other vessels of their problem.

In this case they could have put someone on the bow to look for other traffic when coming out of the marina so that they could warn other craft off.

As I said in my first post, this is not a pop at power vessels but an issue of seamanship.

Whew, anger abating at last

Wayne

 

[halcyon]

Re: Ah But! --insurance ?

If you have a engine failure, and thus very limited manoeuvreability, you should be showing two balls with a diamond between (as it's day light ), as per collision regs.

Now the other year I heard that some insurance companies were using non complience with collision regs as a reason for not paying out. The example at the time was not showing a anchor ball / light, if you then got hit it was your fault, and the person that hit you could be claiming on your insurance. Now if your using a boat that you cannot manoeuvere, and show no indication as per collision regs, what is the insurance position if you hit someone, causing damage or even injury?


Brian

ps two maroons Falmouth lifeboat just launched.

 

[Col]

Re: Ah But!

I have been reading the powerboat threads with interest, and whilst I wasn,t witness to your incident, and therefore not in possesion of the facts, 2 points come to mind.

Firstly, as you were on the "wrong" side of the river, maybe powerboat didn't see you untill he was commited. As Haydn says, power boats with one engine down are extremely difficult to manoeuvre at slow speeds, and if the skipper was struggling not to hit moored boats, this might explain tetchy response, especially as you were somewhat forth coming with your outburst <In my usual way I shouted that the use of their eyes, a little respect for other boats and a basic knowledge of the rules of way might not go amiss. >

Secondly, my mooring is on the Hamble, and as I Troll down the river to the sea, I am constantly having to "hit the brakes" as yacht after yacht pull straight into the fairway at 3-4 knts (motoring) from their various marinas, with barely a glance, let alone a nod or wave of acknowledgment of my avoiding actions that their inconsideration has caused .
While there are some inconsiderate power boaters, there are also inconsiderate yotties as well. I just don't over react when I meet them <All that I can hope is that the failed engine is a write-off and it stops them from boating ever again.>



It works both ways you know.

(ps) I'm the " stinkie" you see swerving all over the Solent to avoid my wash causing problems, but do I ever get a response from a friendly wave ? rarely. ( unless they're foreigners, then, nearly always)

It's a big enough sea for us all to have fun, without backbiting, and petty arguments.

Enjoy your sailing.

http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/album02/

 

[Col]

Re: Ah But! --insurance ?

Do you always show a cone when motoring?

How do you know that the power boat hadn't just expierenced engine failure ?
If I was fighting to control a suddenly failed engine, the last thing I would worry about is whether I had a ball/diamond/ball up or not.

http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/album02/

 

[halcyon]

Re: Ah But! --insurance ?

Col

The case in question was two motor boats that had left port with known engine failure.

It was a serious observation on boat safety / insurance, yacht or motorboat, not just the usual slagging that takes place.

It must say something about the way boating is going that twice now a post that has been posted as a serious observation on boating safety has received a far from positive responce from the powerboat side.

 

[hlb]

Re: Ah But!

Well I thought they had a woman " Strutting her stuff" on the fly bridge. Your just miffed cos it was your turn to get out of the way. And whats up with that. He was going some where, you were just going round in circles. Or was it you out of control if jybing was a problem? Maybe you should have had the balls up! <G>

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[WayneS]

Re: Ah But!

I was going to respond but have reconsidered. Not worth my time.

 

[halcyon]

Re: Ah But!

Could not agree more.


Brian

 

[hlb]

Re: Ah But!

Reason you cant agree more is only cos yer pratts. Now lets get down to it, I sailed a National Osprey for years. Come back and give me an argument that makes sence. Theres a boat with obvioces dififculties. Its in ristrictive waters. Ie. a marina entrerance. ( up a river). The pratt is in a Topper ( playing about) On the wrong side of the river demands Right of way over a 40 odd ft boat with stearing problems . All admited in the Post. Whats wrong with sorry I got it wrong. And right lines about. I aint got right of way all the time. repeat. I aint got right of way all the time. Add infinitum
Right I'll have to try that one next time I'm coming out of Plymouth and dealing with the war ships. And they've got alot more room than I have. Getting out of the marina. I dont even ask the submarines or war ships to get out of my way. I just head for shallow water and give them some respect. I am capable most of the time. Have a respect of my abilities. So on the rare event that I find myself without the ability to negotiate the raggies. I hope they have the seamanship to negotiate me. Still living in hope but not convinced.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn