Prat of the Year Award

[chas]

Coming into the Exe on Sunday, about 1.5 hrs after low water (1.2m of tide on about 0.5m minimum depth - drawing 1.5m), with about five other yachts following (all had been waiting to get in), an idiot in a speed boat was towing what looked like a child's rubber boat with someone in it at speed up and down the Fairway. He then stopped between 5 and 6 buoy (about 25 yds apart and shallowest part of the fairway), whereupon individual lept out of dinghy and swam towards boat. Boat stationary for some time. Dinghy started drfting across fairway - echo sounder showing 1.7 - 1.9 meters.

Speedboat was wearing a Union Flag as an ensign.

My nomination for POTYA

 

[quaelgeist2]

Good, but how about this one:

Amsterdam/Sixhaven - nice and cosy harbour with an entrance about 10-15m wide. After 50-60m have to decide to go left or right in equally narrow 'channels' to the berths.

Slight wind across the entrance - no issue though.

Fairly large bulky powerboat goes in slowly. Turns right, slows down. Stops right in the middle of the threeway corssing - blocking everything.

Us and yacht behind us stop dead to not bump into it. Now wind (as mentioned above) becomes a problem, pushing us into the trees next to the entrance.

Lively discussion on the flybridge (or so) about where to go. Obviously orientating after getting in. More discussion. Someone pointing aft - to us - mentioning something on hold up.... response from skipper, louder, (getting irritated by now) ...their problem if they follow so close.

And then YES they finally move astern - a bit - complaining noisily that both of the held up boats speed out of the trees passed them and take our pre-booked places.

Yes - one can actually have alook on a chart before and even call the harbourmaster !

cheers
chris

 

[Guest]

My vote goes to the idiot motori sailing up towards Chichester a week past Sunday. Having cut me up badly he then points astern and shouts across "Mind the dingy!" Oh for an extra knot of boat speed or a harpoon!

Regards


Fred

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

 

[dickh]

Coming in the Deben on Monday just before High Water, lots of boats coming in and out, very congested as entrance has narrowed considerably this year, jetski towing a 'wobbly' waterskier weaving in and out all around the boats, passed directly across my bows only about 10 yards away. Wish I had a foredeck mounted cannon...

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...