Athene V30
Active member
Went out for a sail to check out the new stack pack and lazy jacks were OK and on way back up river (I was reaching on starboard tack) were several boats of varying sizes beating on Port tack.
I stand on, watching approaching boats. Next thing I see in the bows of the closest boat (and biggest by far) is a chap waving madly. By this stage I have decided that as a risk of collision exists - at mast level if not hull level as he is healing quite a lot - I ease off to port so have not crossed his bows. As we approach within a boats length I ask (without being aggressive or swearing) if they know the difference between Port and Starboard tacks to which I receive the reply from the helmswoman - 'we're racing'.
OK - If a recognisable fleet of boats (ie similar type / size etc) was coming towards me I would probably turn early and avoid any risk of mixing it, just to be civil, unless navigational hazards suggested otherwise. BUT how on earth am I supposed to know that a boats is racing when seen from ahead? Can't see a class flag flying (there wasn't one anyway), can't see if ensign up (doesn't mean much either as several boats seem to go round without an ensign anyway).
Should I just let it pass and put it down to the ignorance of racing sailors or should I speak to the Yacht Club organising the racing?
What would you do?
I stand on, watching approaching boats. Next thing I see in the bows of the closest boat (and biggest by far) is a chap waving madly. By this stage I have decided that as a risk of collision exists - at mast level if not hull level as he is healing quite a lot - I ease off to port so have not crossed his bows. As we approach within a boats length I ask (without being aggressive or swearing) if they know the difference between Port and Starboard tacks to which I receive the reply from the helmswoman - 'we're racing'.
OK - If a recognisable fleet of boats (ie similar type / size etc) was coming towards me I would probably turn early and avoid any risk of mixing it, just to be civil, unless navigational hazards suggested otherwise. BUT how on earth am I supposed to know that a boats is racing when seen from ahead? Can't see a class flag flying (there wasn't one anyway), can't see if ensign up (doesn't mean much either as several boats seem to go round without an ensign anyway).
Should I just let it pass and put it down to the ignorance of racing sailors or should I speak to the Yacht Club organising the racing?
What would you do?
