DSK wrote:

If the crossing is really close, it looks like it's gonna be a heck
of a BANG to everybody except the helmsman. Having just tacked makes
it a bit harder for the oncoming helm to judge since the boat is still
accelerating & may be making more leeway than usual.

Ah, duly noted.


Also you have to
remember to look up, sometimes the boats miss but the masts cross...
big OOPS!

Yup, I do try to look up when things are close - we had a close call with
mastheads a week or so ago when a fast yacht (different handicap class) was
coming downwind while we were closehauled. Passed within a handful of
metres - I think the helm luffed us a bit to bring our mast more vertical.


Both are on the Firth Of Forth in Scotland ...

Cool! I'd love to sail there.

I haven't sailed anywhere else, but it is certainly good fun - always
changing and challenging. Tide can be a major factor in winning races.


Isn't it cold this time of year?

The Gulf Stream gives us a temperate climate - very mild for 56N. The wind
can make it a bit chilly if it isn't sunny. A couple of weeks ago, we were
on a longer race, and most of it was a slow drift in warm sunshine.


--
Wally
www.forthsailing.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk