From: torsten@unisql.UUCP (Torsten Weirich)
Newsgroups: rec.boats
Subject: Re: Loud Boats (Was: Re: Novice boaters)
Date: 5 Oct 92 13:43:19 GMT
Organization: UniSQL, Inc., Austin, Texas, USA

In article <1992Oct2.120339.29850@pdn.paradyne.com> larry@pdn.paradyne.com (Larry Swift) writes:

   >pretty rude to me.  In the long channel to the ocean, some sailers opt to 
   >cross completely from one side to other, as opposed to turning more 
   >frequently, and using less of the channel (which is reasonably wide).
   >My only complaints about this are in areas where manuvering is restricted.

   I've been trying to avoid this thread because of the
   ranting, but here's something I'd like to offer some

Me too.

   info about.  The situation David describes (where
   manuvering is restricted) is often the very reason
   why the sailboat needs to cross completely from one
   side of the channel to the other.  Every time he
   tacks, he loses speed and with it, steerage.  Some
   time is then required to regain the speed.  With
   reduced steerage, there is often not much time or
   room for mistakes such as over or under steering, yet
   steering is most difficult in this situation.  The
   heavier the boat, the more time required to recover;
   some boats may not even be ABLE to tack in less width.
   I'll usually crank up the iron jib before then, but
   if there is engine problems, the prudent sailor is
   unwilling to rely on it.  And sailors do seem to
   have engine problems a lot.  8^)

It helps to know someone else's situation.  Now here's my opinion (he
says putting on his asbestos suit):

I find it alarming that people are willing to take incredible risks
to prove a point (usually that they're right and the other person
is wrong).  My attitude is always that there are lots of things
that can go wrong on my boat AND the other person's boat so-o-o-o
I try to put myself in a position where we are least likely to
get in trouble.  I like boating...it's my escape from the pressures
of the rest of my life.   I assume this is why others go boating
as well.  I fail to understand the "attitudes" (i.e., my sport's
better than their's, I'm right...they're wrong, etc.) that people
have that contradicts the very reason they're out there in the
first place.  Perhaps they're a bit insecure...I don't know.
Unfortunately, as more people get into this activity, the more
likely it is that there are going to be close encounters.

Instead of insisting on one's rights perhaps one should just
try a little courtesy...

Oh well, I guess this is why I now commute 1 hour to a less crowded
lake...

Torsten Weirich

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