Sailboat story

[Cal]

The following is a story from a powerboat website for all of you quiet sailboat loving offshore bashing people. Keep in mind , I realize one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch , much as you do with offshores and jet skis. This could have turned ugly real quick :(
I've cleaned up some of the language :rolleye2:


For all the *****ing they do about us.
So last weekend I am out on my boat entertaining a friend and her dog. We anchored up at the 5 points in Newport Beach (A designated achorage area within the confines of the harbor, all within the 5 mph no wake zone.)
So we are relaxing and talking on the deck of the boat (21 ft) and all the sudden a big (40 ft +) sailboat is coming straight at us (Midship) with sails full and racing about 5 other boats. Let me reiterate for those who might be slow to fallow. Racing in the harbor, in the 5 mph area and through a designated anchorage area.
We both jump up and start yelling at the top of our lungs, so do the other boaters around us. I yell for her to jump off the boat as I dive into the cabin to get her dog (In highnsight I could have never got him off the boat...180lbs rottwieller).
At the last second...and I can honestly say within 7 (Yes 7) feet, this guy turned on a dime and tacked the other way. I was screaming at the captain and expressing my discontent with his safety measures (It basically came out as "Come back here you #^%$** %&%%***% so I can shove my **** in your ear!!!") or something nautical like that. The guy yells back "Calm down...I saw you".
Oh my God!!! This knucklehead actually did this on purpose. Needless to say I called the harbor patrol and when they where done perving on my little boating buddy, they said "These guys think they own the harbor, we will call the other unit that is closer" and they drove off. So 10 minutes later the freakin guy in the sailboat goes by again. In front of the pack! I guess the cops never said a thing.
NICE!
So I tried the legal route, now onto plan B. If you all read about some dego jumping on a sailboat in mid race and plundering its captain...That would be me. Because the next time I see this guy in the harbor, we are having words. AND, I am planning on putting some APBA, SCOPE, SBA and Pacific Offshore stickers all over the thing while its sitting at the dock.
This is war!!!

[Zeke]

Why is this person whinning, other than it seems apparent he does not like sailboats, and is trapped in the them & us midset. Let's see, a 40 ft sailboat has a top hull speed of approx 9 knots, they are racing, and probably used to sailing within inches of other boats during start sequences. So he is "bearing down" at what most powerboaters would call a bit above headway speed. He turns away, nothing happens, and this fool decides his space ( in a harbor ) has been invaded by "one of them". From the racers point of view, I'm sure he viewed the boat as a fixed object, in that it was anchored. Harbor patrol probably left him alone, beacause he didn't do anything that warranted action on thier part. I couldn't but help read into this fellows post, he did not like sailors. Last thought, most sailors I know, know how to drive powerboats quite well, though most powerboaters are not up to speed on sailboats. Possible reason for the animosity, you fear what you don't know.

[Cal]

I've logged many hours sailing myself , but this poor guy who was basically dead in the water (anchored) and not knowing if the sailor saw him , had to be scared out of his mind. A 40' sailboat even a 5 mph could probably go half way though a 21' powerboat. If the powerboat was not anchored and underpower it would have been no big problem , simply sailboats right of way.
It was simply a foolish , inconsiderate , unsafe , unnecesary move on the part of the sailboater. :rolleye2:

[Zeke]

I grant that one could be intimidated by that situation, but again I think a good bit of that intimidation comes from a lack of understanding what was going on. The string of obsenities and threats to board, as well as comments such as " this is war " strike me as being a bit over the top, as compared to the sailboat response of "calm down". Maybe I'm reading to much into the tone of the encounter.

[Cal]

intimidation comes from a lack of understanding what was going on. .

:eek: The best sailboater in the world could have been on the powerboat and unless some type of acknowledgement was recieved from the sailboat , lets face it NOBODY knows whats going on. The sail captain could have had his vision blocked by the sails or be distracted checking the position of his competitors. Are you going to sit there calmly as something twice your size and probably 3 to 4 time the weight closes in on you :confused: I don't think so :rolleye2:

[madrasahs]

When 150 feet isn't enough for an Offshore, 7 feet should be enough for a sailboat.

I liked what another poster in that thread stated, though:

"He was playin ya, he saw you and knew what he was doing, one thing about sailboaters, they do know their surroundings."

[Cal]

When 150 feet isn't enough for an Offshore, 7 feet should be enough for a sailboat.

I liked what another poster in that thread stated, though:
Originally Posted by from the same forum

"He was playin ya, he saw you and knew what he was doing, one thing about sailboaters, they do know their surroundings."

:laugh: :laugh: Mad, I knew you would try to justify it.

And I guess you would calmly sit there if he was closing on you at blistering pace of 7 mph. After all , we all know wind never changes and rigging never fails or sticks and people never miscalculate. Ask any sail boater who has wound up in the drink :rolleye2:

[Rob]

I know it's tempting to post stories of bad sailboat behavior here. Given the sheer volume of 'evil offshore' stories that get dredged up or made up and posted here **** I can certainly understand the temptation to respond when we read about bad behavior by sailboaters.

But really, whats the point? **** Some of the best boating is here right now, we should enjoy it while we can. Or we can go watch baseball. :)


Rob

[Skip]

Couldn't agree with you more, Rob.

After all, we are witnessing a debate based on a third hand version of a second hand account of an event no one could possibly verify.

I have enjoyed reading many of Cal's posts ****

Anyway, you are exactly right...now is what many believe is the the best time for boating and enjoying the beauty of the Lake. And with snowmobile season right around the corner **** and we should all be enjoying the bounty of the season!

[madrasahs]

I know it's tempting to post stories of bad sailboat behavior here. Given the sheer volume of 'evil offshore' stories that get dredged up or made up and posted here, not to mention the hijacking of thread after thread, I can certainly understand the temptation to respond when we read about bad behavior by sailboaters.

Hardly "hijacked".

Post #1 originated at a Forum site that begins with the word "Offshores".

Don't look to this Winnipesaukee poster to show the URL for that Offshores site. That site is not moderated, exhibits risk-taking behavior, foul language, illegal activities, and is offensive regarding women's issues. I've previously called that site a "Marine Mafia".

That thread lists these remedies:
1) beating up the sailboat owner at the dock or 2) igniting his sails with a flare gun.

Additionally, another remedy shows this with the title "This is what we do to sailboats on Chesapeake Bay". (Photo unavailable -- except to members).

Question for Cal or Rob:
Exactly "What [I]do we do to sailboats on Chesapeake Bay?"

??????? :confused: ????????

[SIKSUKR]

Cal,I'm with Skip on this one.You post many well thought out e-mails ****. Keep the good stuff coming Cal! SS

[Cal]

Couldn't agree with you more, Rob.
I too would hate to see Cal lower himself to the tortured logic and repetitive drivel of his nemesis.


Skip and SS,
Thankyou for your enlightenment. It certainly was not my intention but the thread seems to be going in that direction and I can't find a delete button.
My sincere appologies. :o

[glennsteely]

cal, i enjoy reading your stuff too, plus your from pitman, nj and i am from south jersey also, we share a passion for the lake, and it uses, and the ignorance of a lot of its users.......i agree that boaters take a lot for granted while behind the wheel, most have never been in an accident or have not seen one up close, the damage is un-believable and the injuries are horrible.......gs from lindenwold

[boat-man]

I think this situation calls for mandatory sensitivity training. :) The motor boat operator should be required to enter a sailboat race as helmsman. Then, everyone will have to do a restart untill he can win 1st off the starting line. And just for fun. His competitors will be national olympic contenders.
Of course. In all fairness. The sail boat operator will have to go out in a dingy, or canoe. His choice. Then have the Mount Washington bear down on him at 5 mph. and not begin to turn away from him untill 7 feet away.
After these enlightening exercises. Then, I would be very interested to here what they both have to say. :laugh:

[glennsteely]

Pretty funny......that would be some race....