It's too bad Neal was such a bore, because this stuff is really good.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
For who might claim I'm picky about the rules, here's a quiz to show what
picky really means:

Capt. Neal posted a "Rules Lesson"

http://captneal.homestead.com/lessonnew1.html

where he said the following:

There are seven different classifications of vessels. EVERY vessel in the
entire world is classified as one of the following:

NUC
RAM
CBD
FISH
SAIL
POWER
SEAPLANE

How to remember?? How about this handy little saying: New Reels Catch
Fish So Purchase Several!

These seven different classifications are listed in what is often referred
to as the pecking order. A NUC has the right of way above all the rest,
while a seaplane is low man on the totem pole. Please note that a sailing
vessel is third from the bottom of the list. Despite what many people
think, a sailboat does NOT have the right of way in
many situations.
[snip meaning of terms, shapes, etc.]
See, so far it is not too difficult is it? You know how to identify
vessels and you know where you stand with respect to who is considered the
stand-on vessel and who is considered the give-way vessel. For example, if
you see a vessel while you are sailing and it is displaying a black
cylinder(CBD) in the rigging you know that you are the give-way vessel.
The only circumstance when you would be the stand on vessel is if the CDB
is overtaking you. Any vessel being overtaken is always the stand-on
vessel---unless. . .
[narrow channel and sailing rules follow]
[end of Neal's lesson]

Sound familiar? This is the classic "Pecking Order" that everyone learns.
However, there are two problems with it. I'm not talking about the recent
changes, or Neal's use of "right of way," or the claim that it includes
all boats. Actually, Neal does have a few problems here, but it isn't
anything about Neal's version, since most pecking order presentations have
the same two flaws that I'm looking for. One of the issues is blatant,
but not a situation that is likely to occur often, the other is more
subtle but actually happens frequently. This is not a case that
everyone's understanding of the rules is flawed, or that you'll get into
trouble following the pecking order; its more that the rules don't
actually say what you might think they say.

Otn, JG, and other masters, don't give it away too quickly, I'd be a bit
disappointed if you didn't know this. Of course, probably no one else
cares.