Powerboaters

[Langouste]

I have always found that a couple of well placed eggs landing on a gin palace deter them from coming too close again!!
After all if they are close enough for me to hit then they are too close!!

 

[tcm]

or it might be a very big powerboat with its own on-board lawyer?

 

[Guest]

I really do sympathise with sailboaters who have trouble with power boats getting to close, and am sure that there are a lot of inconsiderate power boat owners out there.

However, I'm also sure that there are many who are careful about what they are doing and take the safety of their passengers and that of other craft very seriously.

I do all that I can to give a wide berth to other boats (power or sail) and find that on any occasions where things may get a little close that it is a sail boat that has decided to cut across in front of me. I find this particularly hard to understand as generally speaking, a power boat travels in straight line and it's plain for all to see exactly where it is going. Why then, choose to manoevre into a space that is directly on this course, unless there is an assumption that no matter what, it is the power boaters problem to slow down or take avoiding action.

This is not only arrogant and selfish, but given the general view of sailboaters about the competence of powerboaters, downright dangerous.

Bill

 

[Langouste]

I fully understand when you mention that powerboaters often travel in straight lines.
last year whilst during a calm on a training course in the solent the instructor was amazed as a powerboat maintained his course from several miles off directly towards us forcing us to put on engines in preparation to steer clear. As he passed around 10 m astern we could see that there was no one at the controls and that the auto steering had obviously been engaged as he was on a straight line course for southampton. Solent coast guard were informed. -- if only the eggs had been available!!!!

 

[Guest]

I know, that's just another example of stupidity and total disregard for not only his own safety, but that of others. I am against the fools, whatever type of boat they are in.

I guess in the end that bad manners, stupidity and recklessness are faults that afflict individuals and are irrespective of the means of propulsion of the boat.

Frankly I'm more concerned with my own safety than the rights and wrongs of who should have done what and when. In the same position, given that I was aware of the boat from "several miles off", travelling more or less straight for me with no sign of changing course, I would have got well out of his way long before he got that close.

I know that I shouldn't have to, and that he was in the wrong, but it's just common sense and self preservation.

I think a lot more would be gained by concentrating efforts from all responsible boat owners to promote good manners, an understanding of the rules and regulations, and the correct etiquette, than by promoting a divide between sail and power boaters.

Bill

 

[tcm]

Re:well said lang +waw

I am mostly power, but often saily, and must say that the solenty behaviour by some powerboaters amazes me. Closeness of autopiloted boats on dead straight lines in the solent is a nightmare for sailors. Most of my powerboating is done in southern france, not so good for sailing esp in summer so there v few sailboats - and of course they have more sea room.

Ignorance of the lot of a sailboater is the only excuse, and not confined to so-called "idiots". I saw the instructior boat from peters ploughing out of chichester at 12 knots dragging big wake a year or so back when a chap on moorings was up his mast!

Licensing isn't an answer, but RNLI policing (yes, stopping powerboats and saying do you realise etc etc. and having some teeth to perhaps fine or proscribe training (but not by Peters...) ) in solent above anywehere else would be a good idea. They could print leaflets of what "good manners" looks like...new thread looms...