Tacking in narrow channels and congested waters.

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Sinbad1

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Someone tell me why sailors insist on tacking up or down river in large cruising boats when the river is congested. Who does this and why do they think you have right of way because they are under sail?

Yesterday evening approaching berth on river Orwell a large HR38 was tacking down river. At first they were hove to with genny backed and then they freed the sheet and got the genny on the correct side. The river was full of returning boats, there are moorings both sides of a relatively narrow channel. Then they started shouting....and shouting...at first they just shouted 'water' 'water' (which makes me think that they are dinghy sailors in their first cruising boat) and then it got more vitriolic.

Answers please everyone. I have intentionally not included my vessel details as I would like an answer to the broader question above. I was however under power tho in nuetral with little way on awaiting to see what they were going to do.


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You mean you saw a HR under sail and NO engine running going upwind? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

We are just 2 up on a 41 footer and drop the main outside or in clear space these days, but then will sail into Poole with just the genoa if we can, but of course with a free wind. I tend to prefer people not to tack up narrow channels if it is busy but that is their choice and the rules do give them rights. I draw the line though at the idiot who claimed ROW on a sailboard and crossed our marina channel yesterday right in front of us, the channel is but 20yds wide and the tide was ebbing fast across the channel with just 1ft under our keel and 10 tons to try and stop!

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>
 
Tom Jones had the answer :

It's not unusual

I too am surprised at the tactics and crass stupidity of some raggies hogging channels /water ...... go back a while to my post about a boat I NAMED doing it out of Chichester Harbour .... a very nice boat as well ..... pity about the skipper being part of the rejects of Darwin's evolution ....


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Re: Tacking in narrow channels and congested water

<<I tend to prefer people not to tack up narrow channels if it is busy but that is their choice and the rules do give them rights.

Sorry but rights are subject to a lot of factors that do not immediately mean he has R.of W.

To me its stupidity when so many are there and the chance of accident is just too great ..... nearly all powerboats slow down and respect others about their wash etc. - then raggies should refrain from this tacking crap .....

I am a raggie but do not impose my tacking on others.


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Re: Tacking in narrow channels and congested water

Done it - got the t-shirt ...... last summer had to sail from Folly to Hayling when engine conked out.

BUT I was considerate and made sure that I sailed in reasonable manner to not interfere or hinder others ..... but what I have seen and I think the original post may apsire to is the crass sheeted in maniac who is NOT proceeding with caution and reduced speed etc.


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Re: Tacking in narrow channels and congested water

Yep Nigel

The reference is to how many sailors out there think they have right of way becos they are under sail.............many are surely not aware of the limitations of that right and other obligations under the Col regs which restrict that right.

its a funny ol world.

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What a very stupid thing to do. It does show how ignorant they were though, as the cry "water" is only used when racing and rounding a mark (which surely they wern't doing in a narrow channel!!!!!!)

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It may be a funny ol\'world

But my last scrape with one of these idiots nearly had me punch a neat hole in his side, when he tacked immediately across my bow - I am a heavy built motor-sailer and I am sure I could put a hole through a less heavy laid up bav / ben / jen etc........ wouldn't like to think what it would do to some of those yankie based floating caravan jobs !!! probably come out other side !


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Glad to see this is a situation that irritates you yachties as well as we mobo owners. I always think that tacking up a river contravenes Rule 9(a) of the ColRegs obliging a vessel proceeding along a narrow channel to keep to the outer limit of the channel on her starboard side
Its totally uneccessary unless the yacht has no engine and I'm quite sure its done in a sort of 'llook at me, I'm a real sailor' way

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Re: Tacking in narrow channels and congested water

<<Its totally uneccessary unless the yacht has no engine and I'm quite sure its done in a sort of 'llook at me, I'm a real sailor' way>>

I think that just about sums it up ...... pity that it eally means - I;m a prat ......

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Some area's HERE (3.) Suggest or require sailing boats fitted with engines to use them. I'm sure there are many places who have bye laws which require engines to be used.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/45/99/10714599.s.jpg?ch=97&rr=16:00:39>Nirvana</A>
 
Not wishing to be pedantic, BUT, the hail of water is also used (again when racing!) when you believe that unless you are given water to tack, you may run aground. Must say that it sounds unlikely bearing in mind he was mid channel!!

<hr width=100% size=1>When God invented time he didn't give me enough of it. ND!
 
I absolutely agree with the general opinion being expressed in this thread but...

... Why do sailing schools and YM examiners tend to like to see skippers short tack their way up confined waters, if it is in contravention of Col Regs?

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.
 
Dunno but maybe Power and Sail YM Examiners ought to talk to each other because I once had a Power YM Examiner on my boat who gave a lecture on ColRegs over the VHF to a yacht tacking up a busy Hamble river entrance. Sweet

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Re: I do it...

<keep the crew busy> !!!!!!!!!!!!??!! I'm lucky if I can get my lot to put down their G&T or move from bronzeing positions to do ANYTHING. I motor unless I'm guaranteed a steady run / beat for at least 6 hours!!! (TIC)

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Re: I do it...

Surely again it's a question of common sense. If there is room, OK, if not, no.

People are constantly tacking in and out of Lorient where the channel is only about 100 metres wide. There never seems to be a problem apart from the odd toot by a ferry.

John


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Re: I do it...

The factor that affects it most is whether its done sensibly and with due care...... then no problem.

But to do it with lee-rail under and hard sheeted in full sail job ... shouting at all and sundry to get out the way.. etc.is not the way.

I don't care if channel is 50m or 500m ...... othose careful are ok, those not are a pain.

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