It never fails - almost got run over!

[John Nantz]

Chris - Did your Falcon look like this one?

Hi Chris - you mentioned you owned a Falcon way back when. Did it look like this one? (Sail #927)They came with both wood and fiberglass cockpit comings. This one was made by Sterling Boat Company who I think was in Rhode Island and the others may have been made by MacVey.We sailed from Pt. Judith to Block Island and the picture is at the dock at Block Is. Good little boats.

 

[Mike4116]

every now and then....

A wake maker/rules of road violater gets his or her comeuppance. Anecdote: A few years ago I was bringing my newly purchased O'day 28 from Lake St. Claire to the Saginaw Bay area (Great Lakes region). I had stopped for fuel in Port Huron and while tied to the gas dock a fellow in a HUGE, WIDE power boat came blasting up the river throwing a grand wake. Lucky for me I had put a generous number of fenders out and the dock was nicely padded as well. As luck would have it the local marine patrol (sheriff) was standing there on the dock chatting with me and the attendant. He, the officer, shouted out and ordered the PB to stop and come along side immediatley. When the culprit came along side somewhat perplexed he got a juicy $100 lesson on seamanship, rules of the road and proper speed in a no-wake zone. For my part the sheriff needed a complaint to add juice to the charges and I was happy to oblige. The dagger filled stares from the PB skipper more than compensate me when I'm rudely tossed by one of his bretheren. The moral: Let the cops know whenever you can. It may not help all the time but the few who get banged represent a little justice.Mike...venting tooS/B Pitterpat

 

[JC on Bainbridge]

How sweet it is.

Sure does my heart good to hear that story.

 

[picklefreek]

Yes John...that is her

John Nantz...That would be the Falcon I was talking about. Now, I swear I saw one for sale very recently, from RI and painted Green. Looked exactly like that one. Would that be one and the same? They are great boats as you say and I really regret selling mine. Since the 23 is just too much to take in and out all the time, we are looking for a smaller boat for day cruises and would love to find another one.

 

[John Nantz]

Chris at Lake Winnasquam

Well, the one in RI wasn't ours because it's in Puget Sound. Actually parked in my brother-in-law's back yard (10 acres).I agree they are great boats and that's why we never sold her. She's just a really nice design, a good little couple boat. We cruised New England (Rhode Island and Mass. area), wanted to do Michigan but couldn't take the mosquitos, sailed out the Golden Gate and down the coast a ways, sailed the length of Lake Tahoe in one afternoon(!), and gunkholed some lakes like Lake Spaulding in the Sierras.Trailered very easily, set-up was a piece of cake, slept on board with sleeping bags and using the boom with a boom tent (no dirt, sand, ants or other bugs so beat camping on the ground). Just had a lot of fun with her.One problem: the last time I was out we took on some green water over the railing and in the process lost the rudder. The ONLY time I didn't secure the rudder!!! So that something I would really like to get a pattern for if you happen to come across anyone who has one. My brother-in-law made one up as a replacement but it's not working out very well. So, if you come across anyone where I can get a copy please let me know.We also have a couple of the old Yearbooks with members in the various fleets, a sales brochure, and some other interesting stuff. It was this boat that got us really hooked on sailing.

 

[Louis B Holub]

Try the AIR HORN BLAST...rapidly !!

Ive learned to keep the 'AIR HORN' Blaster close at hand...even for other SAIL BOATS. Now-a-days, the waterways are quite crowded, and dont forget...Automobiles have HORNS. SO, Boats have "Air Horn Blasters"....HA....give 'em a TOOT or TWO...or MANY...

 

[picklefreek]

John

Actually, I know the person that now has my old Falcon. It is about 1 hour away from me, but near where I have alot of family. No problem gettting you a pattern. Don't know when the next time I will be going over there though (within next month I would think). Send me a email and we can work this out more without wasting bandwidth. (chris@fernstravel.com).

 

[Franklin]

Agreed....AIR HORN ALL THE WAY

I have started to use my horn anytime I'm not sure about what the other boater is doing and I have the "Stand On" way. After all, if I decided he wasn't going to turn and I did, then he did, then I would be in the wrong because I didn't "Stand On". So, anytime I see somebody approaching and I'm not sure of their intentions, I blow the horn at least once. It makes sure they know I'm there and don't plan on changing course.One time I was sailing and actually had a passenger (don't happen much with me) and I got caught up into a conversation and didn't see a boat coming on a starboard tack. After they adjusted course and went behind me and yelled "Starboard", I was imbarassed but also wished they had honked at me to let me know they were coming. After all, we all make mistakes.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

ADDED CONFUSION?

Franklin:Could your one toot add to the confusion if it were construed to be your intention to turn to starboard, when, in fact, you “…don't plan on changing course.”?Pauls/v The Lord Nelson

 

[Seattle Scott]

Cruise ships give me one 5-second horn

but I thought it was five 1-second horns from the stand on guy to indicate potential collision.I thought one horn means when bow on we are going to pass port side to port side and two horns means lets pass starboard to starboard.

 

[Ben16737]

the "helpful" ones

I've (regrettably) learned to accept the larger powerboats that either intentionally or through ignorance throw a huge wake in my direction. I just don't want it to get in my head and ruin an otherwise good sail.What really frustrates me, though, are those powerboaters who try to help but just make it worse. The ones who approach from a distance with throttles wide open, but when they get closer slow down in an attempt to be safe and respectful. I really appreciate the attempt to be nice, but when they slow down to 1/2 speed their boat comes off plane and enters that middle ground between displacement and planing - ensuring that they throw an enormous wake. They smile and wave as they go by, and I can tell by their faces that they think they've done me a big favor. Of course, I smile and wave back, since there isn't really an opportunity at that point to educate them, and at least they tried to be nice. That alone puts them head and shoulders above most people, powerboaters and sailors.It's just frustating that they tried to be nice to me, but instead sent me on a roller coaster ride. What I'd really like is for them to stay at high speed, on plane, as far as possible from me.

 

[SoupyT]

Rules of the road, they're great in action!

As one of the many skills-challegend boaters dicing with professional captains on SF bay, I really appreciate the application of the RotR.Case in point.Rounding Angel Island, we're totally becalmed, despite a prevailing 30kt westerly. We're trying to cross the traffic lane, and juggling our need to cross perpendicular, with our need to avoid Berkeley pier. Finally, as we enter the lane, the wind hits.And there's the tanker! Steaming at who know's what speed. Turning towards us!So the question is, do we fall off to port (the more perpendicular route, as per RotR) or remain to starboard (hoping the tanker's apparent turn doesn't put us under her bow).Then, oh joy! A single blast of the tanker's horn! (Frankly I was expecting five!) and we promptly did a starboard tack. For a moment I considered grabbing my puny airhorn to reply, but I figured my tack was response enough!Seeing the Rules applied appropriately, was a heartwarming experience for me, but it made me very aware that BOTH parties need to understand the rules to avoid disaster. I shudder to thing of what would have happened if my boat was skippered by someone who didn't understand the purpose of that single blast.I also diligently maintain my prayer that the skippers of these massive vessels, are blessed with greated experince, skill and judgement than I!

 

[Baysailor2]

Intentions

Soupy: Talk to their bridge on Channel 13 by telling them your intentions. Most captains/pilots will reply and tell you theirs. RotR are good to know, but always choose the safest solution to avoid any confusion with a big ship. It's not that they don't care--they just can't stop!