Solent sailors

Daydream believer said:
I am an east coast sailor so know little about the goings on in the solent
So can someone tell me why , when they want to make derogatory remarks about sailors in general they often refer to them as "Solent sailors". As is often noted on this forum
Is the sailors non racist equivalent of " paddy" jokes?
Are they really as depicted in this forum?
What proof have you of this?
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It seems like an insult used by people who want to prove themselves superior it seems to me.It is just a generalization.
 
epervier said:
IRPCS,

Rule 25(e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward
where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards.

when this shape is shown the sailing vessel becomes a power driven vessel, thereby no longer a sailing vessel as far as IRPCS are concerned.
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ITYforgot the real meaning of a motoring cone

"This vessel is currently engaged in yachtmaster preparation or examining"
 
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Woodlouse said:
Call em what you will but my gripe is with those who always wear shorts over thermal undies, chunky white sunglasses regardless of whether it's sunny (or even daylight), dubarries and immaculate oilskins. The worst of them are those who then always wear a climbing harness.

I suspect Flaming sees rather a lot of them.
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Shorts over thermals is actually incredibly practical. thermals dry out much faster than trousers, aided by the fact that they're next to the skin and not flapping around. A pair of waterproof shorts on top means you don't get a damp bum.
 
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Woodlouse said:
Call em what you will but my gripe is with those who always wear shorts over thermal undies, chunky white sunglasses regardless of whether it's sunny (or even daylight), dubarries and immaculate oilskins. The worst of them are those who then always wear a climbing harness.

I suspect Flaming sees rather a lot of them.
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Yes. Though I have to confess to the shorts over thermals thing. It may look daft, but there's logic here...

1. Don't want to bring any more weight onto the boat than strictly necessary.
2. Required attire for racing is often thermals under foulies.
3. That's too hot for driving/cycling etc to the boat.
4. Thermals alone is a bit odd.
5. Shorts! Normally leave them on under the foulies, especially when I'm wearing my waterproof ones.

Those who also wear climbing harnesses are bowmen. They're not human, normal rules do not apply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyeFUc5gzuQ Fast forward to 2 minutes....
 
epervier said:
IRPCS,

Rule 25(e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward
where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards.

when this shape is shown the sailing vessel becomes a power driven vessel, thereby no longer a sailing vessel as far as IRPCS are concerned.
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Doesn't apply in the Solent. We have our own rule. Full main no headsail 8 knots means motorsailing. Those with two sails going more slowly means motor's ailing.
 
flaming said:
Yes. Though I have to confess to the shorts over thermals thing. It may look daft, but there's logic here...

1. Don't want to bring any more weight onto the boat than strictly necessary.
2. Required attire for racing is often thermals under foulies.
3. That's too hot for driving/cycling etc to the boat.
4. Thermals alone is a bit odd.
5. Shorts! Normally leave them on under the foulies, especially when I'm wearing my waterproof ones.

Those who also wear climbing harnesses are bowmen. They're not human, normal rules do not apply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyeFUc5gzuQ Fast forward to 2 minutes....
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I'm not saying thermals under shorts alone is always a bad thing. It's the whole package combined into one arrogant, swaggering package with a confidence that far outstrips experience.
 
Woodlouse said:
I'm not saying thermals under shorts alone is always a bad thing. It's the whole package combined into one arrogant, swaggering package with a confidence that far outstrips experience.
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Well put, the swagger is most unattractive (putting it politely). In the grey Irish Sea ports that I frequent it would be met with derision even if backed by experience.
 
Slow_boat said:
The 'Solent Sailor' syndrome was brought home to me just before the '79 Fastnet. I was wandering along the pontoons in Cowes the night before thinking 'are these boats really going ocean racing? Some boats, and crews, just weren't fit for purpose. The rest is, as they say, history.
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Sorry, but I think that could be perceived as quite insulting to the very experienced people on well found boats who died during that race.
 
Twister_Ken said:
Wazza cone?
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it's the international signal for "yachtmaster examiner on board"

edit - ok beaten to it by ages.

Seriously they are pointless, if the yacht has Ken's full solent rig then treat it as a mobo, if it has full sail with a teensy bit of help from the donk then treat is as a sailboat. If you rely on the cone to make your colreg decision when approaching a boat you will be wrong 99.9% of the time.
 
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epervier said:
Yes I know, in all my years on the Solent I think I've only ever seen it displayed twice.

what's so disappointing, is they still expect motor boats to give way.
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I'm tempted to just motor sail up and down the Solent this weekend with a cone up to give people the chance to start a thread of "you'll never believe what I saw"
 
I've sailed there a few times and visited looking at potential boats to buy a few more times than that.

I think it's a very crowded unpleasant place to sail with manky looking water, too many people and boats, too much commercial traffic and a stinking oil refinery..

Then again I sail on the west coast of Scotland so anywhere else is going to have to be pretty decent to get a look in.

The folks I've met down there have been really nice though- and not just the ones trying to sell me their boats- and I could have spend days wandering around the muddy old moorings and wee creeks looking at the most amazing collection of MAB's and chatting to their owners. Maybe one day I'll do a 'Dylan' down there.
 
jac said:
I'm tempted to just motor sail up and down the Solent this weekend with a cone up to give people the chance to start a thread of "you'll never believe what I saw"
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ITYF that most people sailing there this weekend will have other things on their mind. #cowesweek
 
l'escargot said:
You should come to Cowes or Lymington and see all the moboers walking around in their Quba sailing jackets, it's almost compulsory... ;)
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Last Saturday night, shorts and T-shirt weather. Band playing back of the anchor. Lots of sweaty people in a confined space jumping up and down, very hot and sticky. The Solent sailors will be at the front dancing in their new Henri Lloyd gear.
 
This is a rather funny thread to read. I am german (forgive me) but i spent quite a bit of time in the Solent as am I also run RYA courses for a local school there. While you certainly have these folks around in the Solent that can be easily identified as fully styled posh racing enthusiasts, walking around like Brad Pitt and having their most successful and heroic hours in the pubs at night... the vast majority of people I meet are really amongst the nicest sailors i have come across. Professional people, down to earth, always very helpful and very kind. Which is true without exception also for all the students i have met there so far. At the same time i need to say that i have cruised also in other parts of Britain, the east coats as well as the west coast, particularly Scotland. And also there we found so many nice folks that i rather prefer coming to the UK for sailing than going anywhere else, including my home waters. You guys area really blessed having such great areas to sail, and while strange or annyoing people can be found anywhere if you look long enough, the vast majority of your fellow sailors I absolutely need to compliment for their attitude, behaviour and general friendliness.
 
I now keep my boat there, and...

I think it's a very crowded unpleasant place to sail with manky looking water, too many people and boats, too much commercial traffic and a stinking oil refinery..

When we come through the Needles, we're "back in the river" and it seems to go from calm to chaos in 5 minutes. I also hate this business of "having to decide where you're going this weekend" on a Thursday and booking the mooring and restaurant in advance. WTF is that all about?. For me, that whole "pre-planning" bit, the idiots who don't know their colregs or keep a lookout, and the whole argy-bargy of it all, makes the Solent a a place for me not to want to stay when sailing.
 
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