Sailboats?

[todd232496]

I have a quick question. The local lake that we go to has quite a few sail boats on it. Yesterday we had stopped for about an hour (we didn't anchor) and there were four kids and two adults in the water. My husband was still in the boat. I didn't notice the sailboat headed our direction until I saw him get mad and stand up and yell at us to move. When I looked there was a sailboat about 20 feet from us headed right towards our new boat and everyone in the water. >: What the hell, do they have the right of way even when there are people in the water? Why couldn't they power up and change direction? When we left we made sure we left them a very large wake and let them hear us nice and loud. I'm still so mad about the incident, but don't know how it should've been handled. I know they have the right away if we're powered up, but what about how we were? Please help with any information, Thanks, Malinda

[BDannecker]

Malinda, in my "opinion", I would think you have right away at anchor. You may find your answer here.

www.boatsafe.com/nautical...g/10_0.htm (http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boating/10_0.htm)

Good luck,
Bruce... :D

[DCH1]

Malinda:

Bruce is correct.

I've been taking the practice exams for the NH Boating Certificate. It is based largely on Coast Guard regulations. Sailing vessels must follow the same rules as everyone else.

If you (the powerboat) are being overtaken from the rear by the sailboat, YOU have the right of way even if you are underway. If you (the powerboat) are anchored, YOU have the right of way. The sailing vessel is the "give way" vessel under those circumstances.

And the vessel with the "right of way" - the stand-on vessel - STILL has an affirmative obligation to exercise caution and to take all actions needed to AVOID a collision!

In general, the least manoverable vessel has the right of way. And if you are ANCHORED with engines off and people in the water, and the sailing rig is up and running, guess who is the most manoverable!

DCH

[GottaHaveIt]

Wow, just reading that makes me angry! It's obvious that the blowboat operator doesn't know diddly squat! I did a search on the net looking for boating rules and right of way.
There is nothing (that I can find) that mentions your situation. It does say that a boat under sail has the right of way over a boat under power. But if you are stopped and have persons in the water then that does NOT apply! The blowboat op should have given way. Maybe the jerk didn't see the folks in the water and assumed your boat was under power. Still that operator should have kept clear to avoid an accident.
Sounds like a good reason for a new term, water rage! :)

The part about how you went and retaliated kind of blew it though. I can feel for you in the heat of the situation that it feels good to go and get the idiot back but that just brings us powerboaters down to their level!

Keep save and have fun.

Chris

[xZenxNemox]

Good god, I wish I had been in your situation on that. I grew up as a sailboater from the age of 6. (got my 1st Hobie cat at age 12) I have yet to find a sailboater who doesn't know that one is simple common sense. Any boat that is "at anchor" (lacking any manuverablity) always has the right away. Had this been me, if I was able to keep some idea of anger control, would have followed that ass everwhere he went and had some serious words with him. Involving the local patrols/rangers.

There have been so many time I have had to chase down SeaDoos, never thought there would be a time when a sailboater would have to be chastized.

Nice Topic btw.

[todd232496]

Thanks for all the information. We will try not to harm the power boaters reputation:) I didn't realize people didn't like us...I can't imagine someone not falling in love with these boats;) I am going to study up on the links provided, that way I may argue my point and be correct in my information. We've decided to stay on the end of the lake past the causeway, no sailboats, can't fit under:lol Unfortunately Wednesday was super sunny, but lake was up and lots of debris under causeway so we had to stay on their side, but there was lots of room for all of us. Again, Thanks! Malinda

[DCH1]

Hard to stay cool, but we must if we want to win. Good show!

Try this link. It is the one that gets you into the safe boating course materials and practice tests.

Boat-Ed Safety Courses and Practice Tests for Various States (http://www.boat-ed.com)

I believe that most any state's materials will contain the information you want!

DCH

[jmc2135]

Sailboaters Blow! I boat in Chicago and there are tons of them everywhere! They wear goofy clothes and eat little sandwiches:) I had some friends out last summer and they asked me why all the sail boaters were waving at us when we went by them on plane with the exhaust open. I said they were not waving they were giving us the finger! loud pipes save lives:)

[Baja340SF]

"loud pipes save lives"

What? We on the biker forum now..............lol:lol

[DCH1]

Wish I had good things to say, but I have found that most sailboaters HATE powerboats. The bigger the boat, the worse the animus.

We have a large sailing club of old blue bloods on the lake. They run measured course races every Sunday AM early. I am playing "nice nice" with them just for the fun of it. I sidled up at 5 MPH to the club pontoon boat to say "HI" and ask about the course. The old gent said: "Trade you the boat for sailing lessons!" to which I replied "I don't think so!" But the old biddie said: "Run it on the ocean?" to which I said "NO, I'm a lake guy". Her reply: "That boat is too big for the lake." Being a nice guy I explained how I bought it because my wife can't take the pounding in a smaller boat, and pointed to my young daughters looking over the gunwale. To this I got no reply. And I got this on a "no wake" drizzly day with the exhausts corked!

I have found that there are a few exceptions to the rule. Like the sailboater who likes to ski behind my boats. But they are rare. Most are like the old biddy, and they believe you're a dangerous interloper on their private pond!

DCH