Raggie rage. Was I in the wrong?

[ricky_s]

When did the 8 knot limit get introduced in Chi?
I get the impression it isn't for safety but for wash?

 

[AdeOlly]

This leaves a large amount of water to the west to play in, maybe where possible, clubs that are racing should use as many marks to the west, if this involves moving marks then so be it, harbour dues should help pay for this.

Oi... leave the west of the harbour out of this. The Sweare Deep and Emsworth Channel are generally free of racers until near HISC and being based at Northney Marina I rather like it that way!!

It's bad enough once in sight of the HISC area; already twice this year I've had to take evasive action to avoid collisions due to sudden unexpected course alterations. (not whilst racing). On one occasion somebody nearly ended up embedding their skull on my anchor, and all because they didn't look but (presumably) just assumed the water was clear or that mobos/larger yachts can hover given three seconds to react. I have to agree with the sentiment that sooner or later somebody is going to get hurt.

 

[Vagabond]

Auckland Harbour Master findings

There was an incident like this in Auckland harbour a few years ago except there was actual contact. Trimaran v Displacement MV.

Result from the Auckland Harbour Master findings was that the yacht was the overtaking vessel and was deemed to be in the wrong.

ah... remember having a great time doing 15knots+ heading for Chi marina in Electra.... great fun passing the Mobos!

have to settle for two hulls now!

 

[AndieMac]

have to settle for two hulls now!

Great shot Vagabond, and good skill to fly a hull on a boat that size.

Shouldn't you have a board down on a beam reach?

 

[pteron]

That looks fun!

Any more details on the boat?

 

[ricky_s]

As this thread is hosted by Motor Boats Monthly and Motor Boat and Yachting it would be interesting to hear what they think about the situation in the harbour.

Might be worth a write up and a chat with the conservancy?

I have sent a note to MBM.

 

[Vagabond]

Great shot Vagabond, and good skill to fly a hull on a boat that size.

Shouldn't you have a board down on a beam reach?

We are heading upwind, looks like a beam reach as the main has just been trimmed out a little as we were flying a bit too high.

she's a Ron Given design. He also designs powercats too.

 

[Questor]

Might be worth a write up and a chat with the conservancy?

I think you'll be wasting your time. I'm told the HM is a raggie and has little time for mobo's.

 

[Questor]

We are heading upwind, looks like a beam reach as the main has just been trimmed out a little as we were flying a bit too high.

she's a Ron Given design. He also designs powercats too.

Blimey Clive, have you got a boat for each day of the week?

 

[ricky_s]

I think you'll be wasting your time. I'm told the HM is a raggie and has little time for mobo's.

Got to be worth a go.

 

[Vagabond]

Blimey Clive, have you got a boat for each day of the week?

well ... each day of the weekend!

 

[ricky_s]

Got to be worth a go.

I've contacted both the harbour master and the guy in charge of the patrols, no reply as of yet.

 

[DAKA]

I've contacted both the harbour master and the guy in charge of the patrols, no reply as of yet.

You could look for the HM at HISC bar , even if he isnt there its a good place to start to educate the ignorant sailors .

 

[fredfreund]

Yeah but he's a sailboat and power gives way to sail under these circumstances. Unless you were navigating in a narrow channel and could only navigate in that channel which would be difficult to argue in your case, or were constrained in some other way such as ability to manouvre or draught in which case you should have had the appropriate shapes hoisted. You should have given way IMHO

a good post wish more people would learn the right of way on the water:

 

[ricky_s]

You could look for the HM at HISC bar , even if he isnt there its a good place to start to educate the ignorant sailors .

HISC! I wouldn't get out of there alive!

 

[ricky_s]

a good post wish more people would learn the right of way on the water:

If only....

 

[fireball]

You could look for the HM at HISC bar , even if he isnt there its a good place to start to educate the ignorant sailors .

Oo ... that could be fun ... where can we watch the CCTV feed??

 

[ricky_s]

Just had an email from the harbour master.

It seems they are monitoring the situation but aren't going to change speed limits.

Small section quoted below

"The Conservancy is also mindful that traditionally Chichester Harbour has been the home of dinghy racing and for many years was the principal activity on the harbour; they do not want to stop the pleasure that this brings to many hundreds of people unless the danger to other harbour users clearly justifies it. In short, there is no point in racing if there is a speed limit. It is also of note that no racing dinghies have a speedometer and there are practical difficulties associated with bringing in a speed limit for these craft. "

 

[fireball]

I suspect that should the HM consider the situation getting a little out of hand then the 'offending' classes would be removed from sponsored racing (ie racing of these classes would not be acceptible within the harbour) like has already occured with racing Cats ...

I'll stick my neck out here and state what I consider borderline classes (within Chi Harbour):
International 14's (development class)
International Moths (development class)

Sub borderline class is:
RS800 (twin wire like 14's but a little slower)
RS700 (singlehanded - spinnaker & trapeze)

The faster of the single-wire double handers are probably at the top end of a general acceptable limit - because the manoeuvrability and controllability is much greater than those mentioned above.

I doubt there will be any change unless the class(es) above race in significantly large packs on a regular basis as generally to sail one of the above classes you've got to be reasonably good (or you're always swimming) and will tend to regard other users as moving obstacles.

 

[KevB]

Sorry - I state again, there is nothing in Racing Instructions or Conservancy By-Laws that prescribes where you may or not race - anymore than it prescribes where you may motor.

I'm based in Chichester and although the dinghies can be a challange and some of the people sailing them are the most ignorant types you can come across I generally don't have a problem with them.
I've found that when they've marked the course across the full length of the channel the best route to take is to pass as close as possible to the outer side of the 'official' boat (the one with all the flags) as possible. And smile nicely at the dickheads on board. I hope I don't spill their lukazade.