If you were on Starboard tack, then you had rights. If you were on port tack, then he had rights. Of course big boats are to always be aware of smaller craft, but the reverse usually happens.
We need more info:
Were you racing (as defined in the RRS)?
Was the bigger boat racing?
Were you on starboard tack and what about the other boat?
Then, that's where you decide if you can put a hole in his side with your bow, or give him a %&@#$ , or protect your own life and boat!
It is interesting how that mindset overrides sensibility…"Well I had the right of way so I didn't budge!"
I don't know that a distance figure exists. No closer than the point at which you run out of safe maneuvering room would be my personal rule.How close do you let someone get to you before you figure they're not going to yield?
He did begin to give me the right of way, but not until he was close enough that I began maneuvers to avoid a collision because lets face it, my 100lb boat is much easier to stop/turn. And that's more or less my question. How close do you let someone get to you before you figure they're not going to yield?
I don't know that a distance figure exists. No closer than the point at which you run out of safe maneuvering room would be my personal rule.
If a boat who's forward of abeam is always at the same compass bearing relative to your course, you're on a collision path. Ideally you should detect a course change by the other boat before reaching 1/10th mi (not racing). Outside this distance course changes only need to be slight. Inside that mark a full change of tack might be required by either of you when a half degree change earlier would have sufficed.
There's an element of experience involved. A friendly exchange of waves to acknowledge you see one another. You spotting the other boat trimming up of letting out indicating he's made a course shift before your compass bearing tells you.
If the other skipper is more focused on the ice in his cocktail than the other boats around him and doesen't acknowledge your presence, make your own adjustment early and trouble will be avoided without need for radical collision avoidance and a case of wave rage.
One more thought. We haven't touched on the possibility that the bigger boat may have been limited in its options by being in a channel or restricted in some other way.
Finally, did the other skipper assume you were going to duck his stern?[/COLOR][/FONT]