Yachties are always in the shipping channels?

[blackdogsailing]

I spoke to one of the captains of the red jets. What they hate more than anything is the yachtie (or slow mobo) who alters course to get out of the way when the red jet has planned his route through all the boats. So if you are the stand on vessel they would prefer you to not alter course !!
As for using the main ship channel, I often do, especially if i am trying to make use of the tide but I will be right over to the starboard side and I am fully aware of what is going on. i despair at the number of yachts blithely motoring up the middle.

Chris

 

[superheat6k]

I agree with your post and yes the secondary channel is pretty wide and obvious. Both yachts and motorboats tend to aimlessly wander down the main channel in my view, its just the yachts are more noticable as slower.

After 17 years with a 10m yacht, we have just bought a similar size, semi displacement power boat so looking forward to experiencing life on the other side of the debate this year. Happy sailing / motoring to ALL in 2015.

Chris

Welcome to the 'dark side'.

But in my experience more laid back and welcoming side. As you will understand how sailing boats work, you will soon understand just how badly some of them are sailed, especially those helmsmen who refuse to look around them before tacking and those others who insist on occupying the 1/3 of the way across position in the fairway at 2 - 3 knots ghosting under headsail, and wondering why Mobos with a min speed of 4 knots in the indents, and virtually no steerage at all below 3 knots then have to give a burst of speed to get past safely and under proper control.

I always try to evenly bisect the gap between any two yachts, with the boat to my windward slightly closer as the wash will tend to reach him less intensely, but if there is a line of yachts I have to cross through them somewhere.

With racing boats I try to give a wide berth and will try to pass closer astern than ever ahead, but I work on the principle that the downwind yacht who gets more affected by the wash line whilst racing gets equal chance as to his position. If he is unhappy then he should go faster and sail better in his race. I do not consider any area of the water off limuts because yachts are racing, but do avoid start lines, large clusters where feasible, and especially the Round the Island style mayhem.

I also navigate on the edge of shipping channels where I can get clear of any merchantmen without causing concern, and most importantly always apply the 'clear to understand, and in good time' principle to my manoeuvrings when in any approaching situation. This includes making it clear when I am the stand on vessel that that is exactly what I am doing.

This definitely includes sailing boats overtaking me !

 

[prv]

That's not really relevant Pete at that sort of distance and speed. The Red Jet has a duty NOT to collide regardless of right and wrong. 5-10 metres is outrageously close. If true.

Of course. My point was more the other way - the post I was replying to seemed to imply that the yacht should have skedaddled out the way of the ferry regardless of their relative positions. My question was meant as a subtle reminder that there are rules we should all be following - as Chris says in post 21.

For my part, I motor up or down the secondary channel (or right outside it at the southern end) but if sailing, particularly if tacking up or down, I use the full width of the available water. I'm aware of the ship traffic (and listen to VTS so I know what's about to appear round Dock Head) and make sure I'm out of the channel as the big ships (constrained by draught) come past.

Pete

 

[l'escargot]

...Don't get me started on whats happens at Calshot and West Bramble. Yachts everywhere, the Redjet having to navigate past them all and the Harbour master having a stroke flashing his lights left, right and centre. Accident waiting to happen in my opinion!

It would be interesting hearing some other opinions on this - maybe I'm just being a fussy in my old age?

Of course the Red Jet has to navigate past all leisure boats for the whole of his journey, from start to finish, what do you propose, ban all boats from its entire route? I think you perhaps exaggerate it as an accident waiting to happen, there are very few.

I can only recall one collision between a sailing boat and a ferry, that happened as the red jet was leaving its berth, and one (rather well documented one) within the precautionary area with commercial shipping. Which would rather suggest that everyone is getting it right on the whole.

"Yachts everywhere" is just part of the Solent.

 

[RogerRat]

Welcome to the 'dark side'.

But in my experience more laid back and welcoming side. As you will understand how sailing boats work, you will soon understand just how badly some of them are sailed, especially those helmsmen who refuse to look around them before tacking and those others who insist on occupying the 1/3 of the way across position in the fairway at 2 - 3 knots ghosting under head sail, and wondering why Mobos' with a min. speed of 4 knots in the indents, and virtually no steerage at all below 3 knots then have to give a burst of speed to get past safely and under proper control.

I always try to evenly bisect the gap between any two yachts, with the boat to my windward slightly closer as the wash will tend to reach him less intensely, but if there is a line of yachts I have to cross through them somewhere.

With racing boats I try to give a wide berth and will try to pass closer astern than ever ahead, but I work on the principle that the downwind yacht who gets more affected by the wash line whilst racing gets equal chance as to his position. If he is unhappy then he should go faster and sail better in his race. I do not consider any area of the water off limits because yachts are racing, but do avoid start lines, large clusters where feasible, and especially the Round the Island style mayhem.

I also navigate on the edge of shipping channels where I can get clear of any merchantmen without causing concern, and most importantly always apply the 'clear to understand, and in good time' principle to my manoeuvrings when in any approaching situation. This includes making it clear when I am the stand on vessel that that is exactly what I am doing.

This definitely includes sailing boats overtaking me !

Well said, me too.
What gets me is that I always look at the helmsman/woman when approaching from astern. As overtaking vessel, I like to know if they've seen me and are aware of my presence. It's amazing how they depend on us keeping clear and never look behind.

The other is the Solent rig, motoring with a sail up and then claiming water as if under sail! :disgust:

RR

 

[epervier]

The other is the Solent rig, motoring with a sail up and then claiming water as if under sail! :disgust:

RR

All the way over to Cowes,with wind sw force 1-2 and overtaking me, I think they get some of their forward motion from the exhaust gases acting like a jet out of the stern with WOT of course it could be the ebby running to keep the cabin warm