Terms of Peace Treaty between Yotties and Stinkies

[Deleted User YDKXO]

It seems to me that the continuing animosity between sailing yachts and motor boats is partly due to the lack of any rules of engagement between the warring factions. I think that if there were a simple set of conventions that we could all respect, we might learn to live with each other. I know that the RYA has addressed this issue but I think we need to go a bit further. Therefore, I propose the following:

1. In open water, any motor vessel proceeding at a speed in excess of 10knots is required to pass a sailing vessel at a distance of not less than 100m
2. If it is not possible to pass at a distance of 100m or more, then the motor vessel shall reduce speed to 10 knots
3. No vessel of any kind shall exceed 5 knots within 200m of any other vessel which is moored or at anchor (with exception of recognised water skiing or PWC areas)
4. Sailing vessels involved in a crossing situation with a motor vessel, where the sailing vessel is the stand on vessel under the Col Regs, are reminded of their obligation to maintain course and speed ( ie no last minute or unnecessary tacking)
5. Sailing vessels under power to respect their obligations under Col Regs (ie remember to observe rules for power vessels and hoist required cone)

Comments??

 

[Col]

Re: Points 1 & 2

Does this apply only when passing sailing vessels ? or does it include displacement tsdy's, rubber dinghies,etc: ?
Sounds a bit privileged to me.

http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/boaters?&page=2

 

[jimi]

Must admit I thought point 4 was already part of the Collision Regulations.

Jim

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Of course it is but many yachts dont seem to observe this particular rule. They dont realise that they have an obligation too. It is extremely irritating when you think you are passing safely behind a yacht to see it tack under your nose for no apparent reason. My personal opinion is that, sometimes, it is deliberate

 

[Mirelle]

I particularly like (3)

which would solve most of the problem, so far as I am concerned.

In fact I like all of them. But I really like 5 knots in anchorages and amongst moorings.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Points 1 & 2

Its only the yotties that are complaining, Col, but we'll make a special dispensation for you as well

 

[Chris_d]

Can\'t use speed!

My boat being a 25ft planing cruiser makes the most wash at about 10knts, if I slowed from 20knts to 10knts when passing within 100metres I would swamp the yacht for sure. The only answer is to look behind you and judge the size of the waves, in my book if the waves are anything like vertical or more than a foot high I slow down, certainly in any crowded channel, river or achorage. But in open sea it shouldn't be a problem. The only answer is to educate the helmsman, because every boat is different.

 

[iangrant]

I'm not convinced there is a war - maybe a few extremists?

We all need to work toward peace and tranquillity on the water-

To this end, at the weekend:

The owner of a luvley 38 foot "Lochin?" power boat that does 28 knots and makes some BIG wash, took SWMBO and her mate for a trip down the harbour - I thought that vey nice of him at 3 gallons to the mile - I'm taking him sailing down the harbour soon for some peace and tranquility at three gallons a season!

Under sail, we towed in a drifting rib (oh, a power boat) he'd flooded his engine. Offered him and his kids a cup of tea and a hot shower (terrible smell of petrol about them these stinkies u know) but he got the engine going again while under tow and off he went with a wave. another happy soul!

I could rant on about the stinkie that roared past the drifting rib and the second stinkie that roared past as we were passing across a line, no I won't, let's just call them the extremists?

Ian

 

[Rob_Webb]

Overcrowding.....

... is the cause, pure & simple (IMHO). Look at how overcrowded roads have led to road-rage becoming an everyday occurrence even amongst normally calm, rational people. Regrettably, I think anger and frustration is here to stay as long as we try to squeeze too many boats into too little water. Personally, I get just as annoyed with fellow yachties on occasions, but the old motor vs sail angle has just become a convenient outlet with which to vent that frustration.

Sadly, whilst we can try to promote undertanding and common goals, I have no real expectations that the problems will reduce in such crowded waters. Reluctantly, after only 2 months sailing in the Solent after a long break, I find myself plotting a way out, despite the obvious appeal in geographical terms.

 

[lyc]

No need for any treaty, just put Calm Voyager from MBM Cruise club in the middle of you all.

He has single handed, managed to slow all the large supply boats to the rigs to snail pace to eliminate wash while another boat from the Humber to Thames cruise towed a boat which had broken down outside my house.

Would love to know who was in the helm on Calm Voyager and who was in that fabulous rib!

 

[pugwash]

It\'s simpler than that

Surely the only problem is wake. Any boat has a duty to keep wake to a minimum and pass at a safe distance. End of story.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: It\'s simpler than that

If its that simple, there would'nt be a problem. There's a difference between passing at a 'safe' distance and passing at a distance where one's wash effect is minimal. I think if you give people a distance off which can be fairly easily estimated by eye, then everyone knows where they stand. In any case, wash does'nt seem to be the only problem as some yotties seem to report feeling 'threatened' by the close proximity of a fast motor boat irrespective of wash

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

That would probably be our esteemed Forum Obermeister, Mr Hollamby

 

[pugwash]

In your face

Disagree, Mike. Some people -- notably some of those with big engines -- practice "in your face" navigation that has an unpleasant effect on other boats. It might be a huge wash, it might be threatening proximity at speed. Either way, you can never legislate against it while at the same time preserving the "freedom" we all enjoy, IMHO. Even "guidelines" wouldn't really work. What it comes down to is common sense and courtesy, factors lacking in all sorts of activities these days, not only boating. If people were sensible we wouldn't be having this conversation, nor if they were courteous. But heaven forbid that we try to put it into some sort of binding legalese. Won't work.

 

[Col]

Re: Points 1 & 2

Great !
In which case can we also have No:6 Sailing boats to use engines when in rivers, instead of taking up the whole fairway when sailing on a reach ?

http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/boaters?&page=2

 

[jimi]

Re: In your face

Agree. It appears to me that the world is divided into the reasonable, the unreasonable & the reasonable who are just ill educated so that they appear unreasonable. Education could sort out the ill educated but I feel the unreasonable always will be.... and it does'nt matter what they drive .. be it a shopping trolley, Sunseeker on sailboat! Suggest that the world of the educated reasonable identify themselves by flying a Lion Rampant on the port spreader.

Jim

 

[DavidP]

Hi,
How would these rules apply to the car ferries, too and from the IOW, the high speed Cat, gravel ships ect. i have to slow down for the wash these produce even well after they have passed.
i like to feel i give every one i pass plenty of room, changing course to go astern of yachts ,which may mean several changes in the western solent ,but then im only going fishing .
David.

 

[NigeCh]

V-bottomed whatsits & others comfort

It's all down to hull design. There are some motor boats that can go past at either 5 knots or 20 knots and create no wake ... It's time that the RCD (amendment) formulators woke up to the fact that pollution is not just about emissions but also about personal comfort on other boats as well - Pollution affects all of our senses, and badly designed motor boat hulls are one of the worst comfort pollutors --- and sofar there's nothing about low speed wake rock and roll comfort pollution.

 

[rich]

what do you do when the condor ferry passes you,

rich ) Why pay, when you can do it yourself?

 

[terence]

well I say this all power boats should have a max 5hp outbord problem solved?
plus think how green it would be and the owners of these said vessels would
save a fortune in fuel!