On Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:34:47 -0800, "John Reimer"
wrote:

Sorry if anyone thinks these are stupid questions, I'm just starting to
learn this sailing thing. They're based on some actual sailing incidents
this weekend, but for which I can't find answers in my Annapolis Book of
Seamanship.

You've got to remember that there are many small boat sailors who are
used to racing in close quarters with other boats, sometimes with only
inches to spare. Even though you may not be comfortable with their
actions, from their standpoint they may have felt that they were in
perfect control of the crossing situation, and probably were.

The other situation you describe with the wind dying is a bit
different - it's one of those things that happen in boats without aux
power. In a small light weight boat it is easy to fend off slow speed
encounters like the one you describe.