at least it was on topic!

NI!

Terry K

Bill McKee wrote:
Was on topic, but sailboats can not turn as wanted, the rest of the world be
damned. Bill McKee wrote:

Throttle off, no control, turning radius about a boat length.


Well, if you put it that way, it sounds like it should be right, and
logically, it is exactly correct, and if you read what you wrote,
you may see why it is so funny, that you bite your own tail.
Sailboats can not just turn, (or not turn,) as wanted. They are
overpowered by the wind all the time. The wind blows sailboats
around like leaves sometimes. As a mariner, you are expected to
understand that, anticipate it, and survive the hazards anyway.

Overtaking vessels must keep clear, sail or power. If they cannot,
they must slow down to a safe speed, even stop. Chewy beans.

You are expected and required to understand sail and power, and all
their constraints, or stay home.

Sailboats flop about out of control from time to time, motor on or
off, whenever the sails are up and the wind is alive, it is the
nature of the game: 15 HP auxiliary engines, thousand HP wild winds,
waves, sails, ropes, winches, flying fish, nature, etc, etc. You
understand, don't you? If not, you should not be in command on the
water.

What you don't seem to grasp is that no one except possibly you,
would purposely hit someone with a car or boat, just because they
were ****ed off and somehow surmise that they are in the right,
have the right of way, and therefore, have a license to kill anyone
who does not stay out of your way, regardless.

This attitude you seemingly cherish may well cause you to spend the
latter years of your life locked in a cell being raped by real nasty
*******s with really big muscles and real nasty diseases. On the
evidence you provide, I would bet two cents you are prettier than
you are smart.

On the water, all the regulations in the world are there to settle
lawsuits after damages occur, and to impress on mariners that
collisions are to be avoided by any means, at all costs, regardless
of the causes. The reason why should be obvious. A collision at sea
can ruin your whole life. Like being bitten by a dog, it can change
your attitude forever, the hard way.

Don't feel too bad, even real sea captains sometimes hit other
ships, and blow cities like Halifax all to hell, because they make
little mistakes early on, and suddenly find they cannot avoid the
other guy's similar idiocy. We are all human, right?

'Course, those arrogant guys usually end up losing their nice cushy
seat at the Captain's table, and deservedly so. Some commit suicide
once their role in disaster becomes obvious. These men have
consciences, at least. Some of their very cushy seats disappear
below the titanic icy waves as they sit in them, along with
thousands of their passengers.

Icebergs and the wind just don't care. It is left to us to be
responsible, considerate, cautious and courteous. Some grow up
earlier than others. Some never make it.

Fair winds to you, and the best of luck, for all our sakes. Your
skills, knowledge and attitude probably won't help you, your
passengers, or locals much. Old sailors would treat you like a rock
awash, if you would just keep still.

Otherwise, we fear for you.

Terry K