Quote:
Originally Posted by VitaBene
"...there is no question that the lake is saner this year..."
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You weren't on the lake last Saturday?
Quote:
Originally Posted by VtSteve
"...According to my dad, Winni was crazy in the 70's and never got better..."
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That's an understatement. I'm guessing that Cap'n Boneheads have a few things in common:
1) They are rentals, or
2) They are valet boaters, and
3) They have a "B" in their registration number. (Really!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc
"...why does every sailing thread talk about racing...?"
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C'mon, we're not racing greyhounds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc
"...Sailboats are pretty..."
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They're pretty, but more importantly, they're
quiet—
that's why sailboats are on those brochures! 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc
"...Sailboats have a visibilty problem? Do you know how silly that sounds...?
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My catamaran had fancy sails and seemed to attract gawkers—
as I wrote in 2004.
My present sail is nondescript, possibly accounting for how often I have a boat aiming directly at me—particularly on weekends.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc
"...If you shine one of those in my eyes, I will head over to see why you are signalling distress..."
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Nine out of ten times, the boat recognizes my distress and changes his direction to a safe course: I don't flash
just anybody.
But...just last week in the Broads, a maroon-over-white Crownline continued his course directly at me in spite of my best efforts to warn him of his danger. As he passed (within about 80'), I saw that he was not at the helm (!) and was chatting with his passengers
forward—in his bowrider!
(Registration # has a "B" in it).
The more "slow" boaters that put these free CDs to use, the more alert this lake's boaters will become.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc
"...How exactly does it exclude powerboats...?
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Those who have come to know
which boat gives warnings by reflected sunlight alter their course
long before any distress.
(That boat giving warnings?...
would be mine )
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc
"...BTW a CD is not your best choice..."
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I have a "first-surface" mirror that would be devastating in use: It's also expensive, and I'd hate to lose it overboard.
However,
blinding misguided boaters is hardly my goal.
CDs work for me: They're highly reflective, light in weight, free, can be selected for reflectivity, can be trimmed to size, and can attach easily to any baseball cap or golf visor.
Instructions: Locate the reflection on your sail, tilt your head to align it with boom or deck, and a few flashes will do the job. It's no more offensive than the flash off a boat's windshield. Think of it as you might use a horn—responsibly—in traffic.
Lastly, when in sight of my residence, I can signal well ahead of my arrival, and lunch will be waiting!
