laser2_9804
New Member
I thought we could have a thread for real-life sailing incidents where we are not sure of who was in the right according to the rules - and everyone can debate them. I reckon everyone will learn a lot from this thread.
To kick it off, here is one incident that happened to me:
During a race there are three boats (three different classes) sailing next to each other (running on port tack) towards the mark. The inside boat calls for room (as they had an overlap). However, I was the second boat and I felt they had enough room to round the mark already. Therefore I called to them that they had room and to round the mark. The skipper became abusive and demanded that I gybe because he didn't have enough room. He then began bearing away (from the mark) and pushing me closer and closer to the third boat. I called to the third boat to gybe but his reply was that we both had room to round. The first boat pushed me head to wind and then zoomed around the mark before I could get going again. Off the water he came and abused me again, saying that the boat with the inside overlap had rights etc and that I should have gybed. My response was that if I had gybed I would have most likely ripped his sail with the end of my boom, or hit his sidestay.
Who was in the right here?
Also, for future reference - to what extent does the rule about 'unsportsmanlike conduct' include people abusing you?
To kick it off, here is one incident that happened to me:
During a race there are three boats (three different classes) sailing next to each other (running on port tack) towards the mark. The inside boat calls for room (as they had an overlap). However, I was the second boat and I felt they had enough room to round the mark already. Therefore I called to them that they had room and to round the mark. The skipper became abusive and demanded that I gybe because he didn't have enough room. He then began bearing away (from the mark) and pushing me closer and closer to the third boat. I called to the third boat to gybe but his reply was that we both had room to round. The first boat pushed me head to wind and then zoomed around the mark before I could get going again. Off the water he came and abused me again, saying that the boat with the inside overlap had rights etc and that I should have gybed. My response was that if I had gybed I would have most likely ripped his sail with the end of my boom, or hit his sidestay.
Who was in the right here?
Also, for future reference - to what extent does the rule about 'unsportsmanlike conduct' include people abusing you?