Those of us who have driven around the retirement community regions of Florida know how terrifying it can be. I wonder if I was seeing the same thing last week.
I was closehauled on starboard tack trying hard to fetch College Island in Hussey Sound which has some outlying ledges. A 40’ish foot cruising boat with the upkeep and equipment that indicates a lifetime of competent cruising was crossing our course at about 90 degrees headed straight toward the island which put them off wind, also on starboard, and with us to leeward.
I kept expecting him to bear off, which was rapidly becoming the prudent thing, even if we weren’t in the picture. It began to get rather close. The helmsman was standing motionless, staring straight ahead and not looking at us. CPA was headed for zero and a tack would put us right in his path if he suddenly realized his proximity to the shoal water and bore off without looking for us which was a concern since I hadn’t seen him turn his head since we got close enough to make it out.
I kept my speed up and got ready for a maximum performance tack, keeping the course and speed appropriate to the stand on vessel. I then used my speed to luff up around his stern, crossing about 10 feet behind his transom. His only action was to turn slowly around on his feet, head fixed on his neck like it was stiff, and look at us in some surprise like we had dropped out of the sky. He gave a weak wave and turned back to the bow.
We then watched with some concern as he continued on straight towards the island. Just as we were sure he would strike and I was starting to think how we could respond to the grounding, he suddenly bore off to the course he should have taken several minutes before. I don’t think he ever saw us before we were within about 50 feet.
I see bozo’s like this all the time but they are usually in new Hunter’s or powerboats. This guy looked like someone who has been cruising in Maine since before Loran. I wonder if he was having a mini stroke or some other temporary impairment?
I was closehauled on starboard tack trying hard to fetch College Island in Hussey Sound which has some outlying ledges. A 40’ish foot cruising boat with the upkeep and equipment that indicates a lifetime of competent cruising was crossing our course at about 90 degrees headed straight toward the island which put them off wind, also on starboard, and with us to leeward.
I kept expecting him to bear off, which was rapidly becoming the prudent thing, even if we weren’t in the picture. It began to get rather close. The helmsman was standing motionless, staring straight ahead and not looking at us. CPA was headed for zero and a tack would put us right in his path if he suddenly realized his proximity to the shoal water and bore off without looking for us which was a concern since I hadn’t seen him turn his head since we got close enough to make it out.
I kept my speed up and got ready for a maximum performance tack, keeping the course and speed appropriate to the stand on vessel. I then used my speed to luff up around his stern, crossing about 10 feet behind his transom. His only action was to turn slowly around on his feet, head fixed on his neck like it was stiff, and look at us in some surprise like we had dropped out of the sky. He gave a weak wave and turned back to the bow.
We then watched with some concern as he continued on straight towards the island. Just as we were sure he would strike and I was starting to think how we could respond to the grounding, he suddenly bore off to the course he should have taken several minutes before. I don’t think he ever saw us before we were within about 50 feet.
I see bozo’s like this all the time but they are usually in new Hunter’s or powerboats. This guy looked like someone who has been cruising in Maine since before Loran. I wonder if he was having a mini stroke or some other temporary impairment?
