Calif Bill wrote:

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news:b7vSc.18339 And nobody mentioned sailboats. They may be quiet, but
their tendency to

think that they own the water, and can make a 90 degree turn in front of

a

power boat, whether the powerboat is doing a loud 60 or a quiet 25.


If you are overtaking us it's your responsibility to stay clear.




It is up to you not to make changes in front of another boat! If we are
overtaking, the rules say we can expect you to hold course.
Bill


In reality, there are things you don't know about sailing if you
think that sailboats have the same freedom to manoevre as do power
boats.

The facts remain that it is impossible for a sailboat to persue,
close with, and ram a powerboat. Vice versa not so. All you have to
do is lean a little on the wheel, and keep clear. What's the big
deal? In a narrow channel you should be going slow, anyway. The
regulations say so, and they are right, because the depth, current
and wind have a very great influence on sailors, influences to which
most power boaters are completely oblivious, as many are to their
wake. Please pass behind if you can. If you don't understand that a
sailor may have no choise but to go about if his course and the wind
are pushing him into water shallower than is safe, then you need
some educating as to the nature of life on the sea, Billy.

Sailboats are only one of the hazards you are expected to know about.

Aargh!

Nobody really wants to cause a collision just to annoy you.

Besides, you must keep clear just as you would if you were passing
another power boat. Would you want to pass close by at shocking
speed just for fun? Would you take a chance that he would behave
perfectly? Or, have you seen powerboaters that should be grounded, too?

Please don't adopt the view that all sailors are out to annoy you.
Go sailing with someone and see for yourself.

Terry K