Soo, I had a encounter with a power boater this Saturday..Totally ruined my day.
This post is just me venting at this point!
First, at my marina, power boaters outnumber sailboats by a large margin. Most of my neighbors on my dock are great people, friendly, courteous, conscientious boaters. We get along great. My rant directed at 1 particular power boater... not all power boaters!
So had a great day sail and was. returning to marina. I was under head-sail alone running downwind. approaching the outside of the marina breakwater.
The breakwater consists of several (4) large barges strung together end to end.
There is a gas dock near the north entrance to marina. (where I'm headed) Then this long break-wall and then a south entrance.
I'm under sail, motor running but in neutral, Starting to roll in the head sail.
I'm just passing the South entrance with those break wall barges on my starboard.
Large power boat leaves fueling dock by north entrance. going slow...
He moves out to pass me (port to port) on outside, So far all good.
(Also note,, no other boaters in the area, Lots and lots of room for him to maneuver)
Now he turns into a total jerk. As he approaches me
1) He accelerates to very fast (I'm guessing 15+ knots )
2) Comes passes by me very close under 20 feet
3) Does a U turn as he passes close behind me, passes me now on my starboard side.
4) Then he slows down, turns back around and pulls into the south entrance of the marina.
5) To top it all off, he waves at me and I hear him laughing with guests on his boat.
So he basically put me in a washing machine with his large wake on three sides of me.....
right along side the breakwater as I'm trying to furl my sail. All for no reason!
After I got back to my slip I was fuming. I seriously thought of walking the docks to find and confront him on why he acted so stupidly! I didn't, but I should have. But he totally ruined my mood after coming off a great sail.
OK done with my rant!
K
This post is just me venting at this point!
First, at my marina, power boaters outnumber sailboats by a large margin. Most of my neighbors on my dock are great people, friendly, courteous, conscientious boaters. We get along great. My rant directed at 1 particular power boater... not all power boaters!
So had a great day sail and was. returning to marina. I was under head-sail alone running downwind. approaching the outside of the marina breakwater.
The breakwater consists of several (4) large barges strung together end to end.
There is a gas dock near the north entrance to marina. (where I'm headed) Then this long break-wall and then a south entrance.
I'm under sail, motor running but in neutral, Starting to roll in the head sail.
I'm just passing the South entrance with those break wall barges on my starboard.
Large power boat leaves fueling dock by north entrance. going slow...
He moves out to pass me (port to port) on outside, So far all good.
(Also note,, no other boaters in the area, Lots and lots of room for him to maneuver)
Now he turns into a total jerk. As he approaches me
1) He accelerates to very fast (I'm guessing 15+ knots )
2) Comes passes by me very close under 20 feet
3) Does a U turn as he passes close behind me, passes me now on my starboard side.
4) Then he slows down, turns back around and pulls into the south entrance of the marina.
5) To top it all off, he waves at me and I hear him laughing with guests on his boat.
So he basically put me in a washing machine with his large wake on three sides of me.....
right along side the breakwater as I'm trying to furl my sail. All for no reason!
After I got back to my slip I was fuming. I seriously thought of walking the docks to find and confront him on why he acted so stupidly! I didn't, but I should have. But he totally ruined my mood after coming off a great sail.
OK done with my rant!
K