Hi all: I am the type of sailor than is constantly watching out for other boats. I make sure I stay clear of them whether I have right of way not.I think most people are like that. Or at least I thought! why not change course a few degrees to avoid a distant boat and perhaps a snap decision when you get to close. I think I know the rules and play it safe. Now the rest of the story. Friday I was sailing on a large local lake in light winds,on a stb.tack, close hauled, about 2-3-kts. I went out on friday because traffic is light. I saw a small sail boat aprox. 1/4 mi.off my port bow. He was on a beam reach (aprox.)and port tack,and moving fast like those boats do. I saw him look under his sail at least three times and know he saw me, but I kept an eye on him. I changed course a bit and was sure we were ok. He kept tracking me like a torpedo sailing twords me until he was 10ft. away. I didn't have to yell when I said watch it pal. He then poped his head up pulled the rudder and sailed behind me. He shouted I HAVE RIGHT OF WAY! and sailed off across the lake. Now am I missing something here or was I the stand on vessel? If not what could I have done as he flew up on me I can only turn into the wind so fast?
Right of way
- Thread starter Phil18102
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My boat
My boat is Catalina 22. His was aprox 10' or less. I don't believe my boat would have been harmed. The whole thing kind of surprised me. Most folks make a special effort to give room. I have sailed close to other sailboats before but we both knew the situation. I have a hand air horn I probably should of had in my hand but it happened to fast.
My boat is Catalina 22. His was aprox 10' or less. I don't believe my boat would have been harmed. The whole thing kind of surprised me. Most folks make a special effort to give room. I have sailed close to other sailboats before but we both knew the situation. I have a hand air horn I probably should of had in my hand but it happened to fast.
The guy has no clue..
That guy has no clue. First there is NO such thing as right of way unless you are in certain rivers. The proper term is stand on not right of way and the rules are set up to make it clear that NO ONE has right of way but rather all boats have the duty to avoid collision. If you follow the rules you should have been stand on but the bottom line is that most boaters are clueless so avoiding a collision is the ultimate rule!!!
That guy has no clue. First there is NO such thing as right of way unless you are in certain rivers. The proper term is stand on not right of way and the rules are set up to make it clear that NO ONE has right of way but rather all boats have the duty to avoid collision. If you follow the rules you should have been stand on but the bottom line is that most boaters are clueless so avoiding a collision is the ultimate rule!!!
Stand on
You were on starboard tack and technically were the stand-on vessel, however, your first responsibility is to avoid a collision. The Power Squadron instructor who taught me put it this way: Rule #1: disreagard or break all other rules to avoid a collision. I ran across this epitaph on the web: Here lies the body of John O'Shay Who died defending his right of way. He was right by god, He was right all along. But he's just as dead As if he were wrong.
You were on starboard tack and technically were the stand-on vessel, however, your first responsibility is to avoid a collision. The Power Squadron instructor who taught me put it this way: Rule #1: disreagard or break all other rules to avoid a collision. I ran across this epitaph on the web: Here lies the body of John O'Shay Who died defending his right of way. He was right by god, He was right all along. But he's just as dead As if he were wrong.
Phil, about 10 second out, forget distance
and tell/yell the give way boat what to do. "Hey port tack, duck my stern or tack, I am standing on."
and tell/yell the give way boat what to do. "Hey port tack, duck my stern or tack, I am standing on."
Starboard tack has rights over Port tack and
Leeward has rights over Windward, in racing. Out on the water in general, just avoid contact. I keep my air horn and radio handy. On the lake it's doubtful anyone has their VHF on if they have one and the best rule is to avoid contact. It doesn't take much to fall off or head up to change a constant bearing ahead of time and avoid the situation completely.
Leeward has rights over Windward, in racing. Out on the water in general, just avoid contact. I keep my air horn and radio handy. On the lake it's doubtful anyone has their VHF on if they have one and the best rule is to avoid contact. It doesn't take much to fall off or head up to change a constant bearing ahead of time and avoid the situation completely.
Another question
I have another situation. Last week we were out sailing, and another boat and ours were crossing. We were both on a port tack, and I was crossing in front of him. We were close, but not "that" close. I was on a close reach. Who is the stand on boat in that case? If I thought there was going to be a problem I could have come about. Thanks Dale
I have another situation. Last week we were out sailing, and another boat and ours were crossing. We were both on a port tack, and I was crossing in front of him. We were close, but not "that" close. I was on a close reach. Who is the stand on boat in that case? If I thought there was going to be a problem I could have come about. Thanks Dale
Dale - who was windward boat?
Maybe this link will explain the international rules of same tack sailing. When racing, this happens all the time. You have to know the rules whether you are racing or cruising. If you cause damage to another vessel because you are not aware of sailing rules and you break them, your insurance company has to pay for the repairs. Guess what happens to your rates? By the way - these rules are followed all over the world - not just in the US.
Maybe this link will explain the international rules of same tack sailing. When racing, this happens all the time. You have to know the rules whether you are racing or cruising. If you cause damage to another vessel because you are not aware of sailing rules and you break them, your insurance company has to pay for the repairs. Guess what happens to your rates? By the way - these rules are followed all over the world - not just in the US.
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