Very quiet in the Solent

[ninky]

One of the tackers across the channel was probably me! Plenty of room at HW and much more fun than motoring into a head sea.

Fairy nuff - much better to sail when you can. We were only in the first hour of taking out our new (to us) boat, so erring on the side of caution until we had more sea room, and feeling a bit nervous making sure we avoided those with sails up. One at a time was okay, but I think at one point there were three to contend with, all on different courses.

Nicola

 

[Garold]

I personally don't see the point in racing - if you read my post you would see I said I was a non participant - but I don't feel those that do impose themselves on non participants any more than I impose my cruising on non cruisers. I think anyone who wants exclusive use of a patch of water for their own type of boating should look at buying their own lake.

Sounds like you are the one with the lack of understanding/empathy. I wouldn't be so selfish as to think that all those thousands of leisure sailors, because that is what they are other leisure sailors who like racing, should be stopped from taking part in Cowes Week because I don't feel able to share the water with them.

You have come back through them once, Sunday lunchtime you say, how many other times will you be passing through them? Will it actually be enough times to be able to claim major inconvenience to justify your moaning or is it that you just don't like racers in general?

You're probably right about my intolerance. After 30 years, I've decided to come out. And admit that it irritates me.

However, I think that you may find that I mentioned that perhaps they could be restricted to certain controlled areas. I guess that those areas would become their equivalent of race curcuits. And maybe they should have marshalls to warn the rest of the public that they are racing, so then we'd know what they are doing and where they are going. And we can stay out of their way.

I have no problem with the racers doing their stuff. But I do have a problem about the imposition of racing vessels and crew pursuing their hobby amongst the rest of us leisure sailors ( I have to deviate my course to sail around their activities on the water much more than they have ever sailed to avoid me). I wouldn't ride amongst motorcycle racers in a race, or drive amongst racing drivers in a car race, etc etc. Why am I supposed to be happy about sailing amongst yachtie racers with their clever racing tactics to cause other boats around them to tack to suit their racing strategy, or to be comfortable when the red mist comes down and they sail without any concern for others. And then there's that pack mentality about 'we're racers and we're coming through'. And if you've never seen it, I'd be surprised.

If you like hanging out with the racers on your rib or any other non racing yacht then good on you. Enjoy. But some of us would rather not.

However, all I can do is whinge, because it ain't going to change given the strong racing lobby.

Sailed on a lake once or twice. Never had the money to buy one though. Probably wouldn't want to.

Cheers

Garold

 

[Twister_Ken]

One at a time was okay, but I think at one point there were three to contend with, all on different courses.

Nicola

You only have to contend with them if they have 'rights' under colregs on you. Otherwise they have to contend with you!

Having raced a lot and cruised a bit, I'm never uncomfortable cruising amongst racers. If I can give them room I do, but if not then I just make it clear they have to give room to me.