The Dinghies are out of control

Re: of toys and prams

In theory your probably right, but in practice I often wonder wether the helms actually know this. I find some of the worst perpetratiors are the chaps sailing the hobbie cats. They can be so damn quick coming up upon you.

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To play devils advocate here.

When you are sailing / motoring down the narrow channel and get over run by said dinghy race, had any of you hoisted your two black balls.

Otherwise, how would the dinghy helm know you needed to use the channel.

Before you decide to 'protest' best clean up our own house first eh?

Was going to start ranting about those deep draught yachts who anchor in the channel waiting to enter Pwllheli with anchor balls, but I think I have made my point on here before.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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doh, ok sorry, see what I mean about cleaning up our own first lol

I meant, but in my haste made a mistake, two ballls with a diamond.

I stand dutefully corrected.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

I'm saving this thread for the next time raggies start a thread about mobo's not understanding colregs/shapes/lights/signals /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."
 
let\'s get it right...

it's one black cylinder.

and if most commercial ships don't display them, why should we??

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Re: If it\'s good enough

A boat in the channel is there for a fairly obvious purpose. The problem is in part due to the dinghies being generally faster than sailing cruisers, and so retaining the initiative - even when they are wrong.

I had an uncomfortable moment in Emsworth Channel, keeping well to starboard, when an ISO, close hauled, and not racing, decided to go head to head. I was motoring at about 4kn. I moved as far as I dared towards the side of the channel, and he deviated to match me. As he passed within 4 ft the helm leaned over to read the builder's decal on my cabin. I also sail dinghies and would not do this.

Of course, many sailing cruisers do not keep to the stbd side of the channel, but they are going at a compatible speed so are easier to avoid.

Neither would I behave as two Moths did last summer. They had come down for an open meeting somewhere down harbour. They rigged their boats on the hard at Emsworth and then decided to launch elsewhere. They drove back up South Street, on a busy morning, with the scaffold poles on their boats still rigged projecting beyond the side of their cars. The point being that if these "racers" exhibit such aggressive disregard ashore, is there any hope on the water?

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what is your problem

maybe we should all look at our own faults, i race dinghies and yachts, when i'm racing the yacht i tell all the dinghies to bugger off out the way, when i'm in the dinghie i curse at the yacht skippers. i think that PBO were right in there article that the best way to revise skills is in a dinghy. not saying that either party were in the right because all sailors (even me in the past) believe they are in the right. that's the job description of the skipper!

i'm finished now, finally!

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Nope. Not allowed.

a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Under no circumstances can a cruising or racing yacht fly the RAM signals.

;o)


<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all
 
Does a helmsman wearing a tophat indicate restriction of draught?

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
 
Did you know that Joshua Slocum's sailing attire was a frock-coat and a sort of bowler hat?

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all
 
Half a solution

When we were in Chichester a few years ago there was a local bylaw that Isometrics would give way to everything else. This was on the basis that they were so fast that no-one else had a prayer of getting out of their way.

When Hayling Island SC had a race day and we, and numerous ISOs on their way to the start line, were coming out of the final channel we were buzzed several times by a nautical version of Vlad the Impaler who shouted something about power and sail, we shouted back about the local bylaw and we got a friendly wave and he just short tacked once behind us and we were able to get clear of him.

In a spirit of helpfulness Mrs Mate phoned the SC later and asked if they could put something in their racing instructions about the bylaw, they replied sadly that they did but that none of the visiting crews seemed to read them.

Anyone know if the bylaw still applies? I had a feeling that they dropped it after a year or two.



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Re: let\'s get it right...

"Constrained by draught" only applies to power vessels. I have flown one from a yacht under power, and the ship on a collision course immediately altered course to avoid us.

But surely the relevant rule is Rule 9, and that doesn't need a cylinder? "(b) A sailing vessel ..... shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway." Always supposing, of course, that you are following Rule 9(a) by keeping as close to the starboard limit of the channel as is safe and practicable, and remembering that Rule 9(d) specifically allows you to use the "5 hoots" signal if you are in doubt as to the intentions of a crossing vessel.

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I agree with the sentiments of your post. Its most intresting to read the experiences of others regarding their encounters. What has surprised me is that no one has actually answered your question. Well I am going to stick my neck out and say yes. These people are a nuisance on the water. And yes they should be confined to a zone for racing. You very rarely see any lone dinghies these days just cruising.
In answer to other people who say these people have no regard or knowledge of the rules. I agree with that also. Not only do they not have any knowledge of the rules they are arrogant with it. In my experience a racing yachtsman has a very different agenda to a cruising chap. They think that they own the water and everyone should allow them free unhindred passage regardless of the rules and commonsense.

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Re: let\'s get it right...

But, but, what if that sailing vessel is also constrained by draught.

Some larger sail yachts draught silly water, if she can not impede a vessel constrained by draught she can therefore never enter a narrow channel.

Or am I missing something.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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