Your Opinion on this Situation?

[Hjames710]

Not too long ago, we were sitting at the launch, and there was another bowrider next to us, they were sitting at the dock starting to back out, and this sailboat just comes flying in and hits the bowrider next to us, the guy is pretty calm "oh, it's ok, thats why I have the bumper strip on it." Then the people in the sailboat start yelling profanity at them "Hey, we're in a sailboat! We have the right away! You should have moved! What the hell is wrong with you!" ect... I was shocked, they thought it was the guys fault, there was no place for him to go, what do you guys think about this situation?

 

[jjacobs007]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Not too long ago, we were sitting at the launch, and there was another bowrider next to us, they were sitting at the dock starting to back out, and this sailboat just comes flying in and hits the bowrider next to us, the guy is pretty calm "oh, it's ok, thats why I have the bumper strip on it." Then the people in the sailboat start yelling profanity at them "Hey, we're in a sailboat! We have the right away! You should have moved! What the hell is wrong with you!" ect... I was shocked, they thought it was the guys fault, there was no place for him to go, what do you guys think about this situation?

so they sailed into the launch ramp?they werent using the mtr?

 

[Hjames710]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Yeah. Mtr? Sorry, still new to the online abbreviations.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

mtr=motor

If they had a motor running, they were not a sailboat. Even if they had a mast up.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Both are at fault. A collision means two dumb captains.

 

[JB]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

There are no "accidents"; only premeditated carelessness.

 

[V153]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Sounds to me like the sailor was at fault. They always claim "right of way" when they screw up. Whether they have it or not.

We in the canvas/cushion business have a saying about blow boaters: "The wind's free so why shouldn't everything else be?"

 

[emoney]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Any "sailor" that claims right of way when he's under power is no "sailor" in my book. He's a boater in a sailboat. Under power, we that sail are on equal footing with every other power boat.

However, it is important to realize that sailboats don't have anywhere near the manuverability as power boats. Not sayiing that the guy was in right by no means, but I always assume the "captain" isn't capable of judging his stopping/turning ability and try to stay clear when I seen one coming.

 

[V153]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Any "sailor" that claims right of way when he's under power is no "sailor" in my book. He's a boater in a sailboat. Under power, we that sail are on equal footing with every other power boat.

However, it is important to realize that sailboats don't have anywhere near the manuverability as power boats. Not sayiing that the guy was in right by no means, but I always assume the "captain" isn't capable of judging his stopping/turning ability and try to stay clear when I seen one coming.

Agreed.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Lol, only question I have is did the sailboat sink? If it didn't, to bad. Any one who comes bareling into a launch expecting people to scatter out of their way is an idiot irreguardless of motor or sail power.

red

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

I think that maybe in this case as described, the captain of the sailboat simply needed to be educated on the realities of boating in general, I have had less experienced boaters come close to my beloved Crownline at the ramp, and I have always helped out in order to prevent a collision being friendly and understanding to those involved who have always returned the favor, its all part of the experience!

I can't say that I would have been so friendly to the sailboat captain if he and his crew started to spout off as described as in the few instances where I have had an issue, I was more irritated that my children were there and I was not about to let that happen, I treat everyone with respect and expect it to be returned, if its just me and the wife I may turn a blind eye and chock it up to one of "those" people, but children learn from example, on the parts of their parents as well as others, I will not be a bad example to my children. In this case, the sailboat was involved in an accident and the authorities should have been called. I think that would have been the proper action to take, letting the authorities take issue with the Captains attitude. It is unlawful for those involved in an accident (no matter if it is on land or sea) to leave the scene. I think I would have simply said to the Captain, "Its ok I am already calling the State Patrol(the responsible Law Enforcement Agency for Boating accidents in Colorado) to report the accident" and started rounding up witnesses, I'm sure that the sailboat Captains mouth would help me with witnesses.

The thing that gets me is that I realize that Sailboats have much less maneuverability but it makes no difference to me in the least, I try to help out anyone at the dock who needs another hand, anyone coming in I lend a hand to as we all know its one of those places that you can't have enough educated hands helping out. My children have seen me do this and it makes me proud to see them do the same without any input from me, that right there is the payoff, seeing their dad smile at the compliments.....priceless.

Right of way? BS to me, I say Respect

 

[sasto]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

I guess I have nothing to say.......Lipp just spoke for me. Well put, buddy!

 

[V153]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Well said.

But don't kid yourself. Profane idiots are everywhere. And their numbers appear to be increasing ... They couldn't care less about what's said in front of your children, or theirs. (Though typically blow boat captains are a little more restrained?)

"Respect" is a good word but I prefer "Camaraderie". Both of which concepts a lot of boaters seem to be deficient in these days.

Like most of us I'd assume. I go out of my way to avoid getting the 'authorities' involved in any matter. But in this case if the sailboat capt was indeed mouthing off'n being profane. After running into another boat?! I wouldn't hesitate to round up witnesses'n call the cops.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Actually, if I understand correctly, the less manueverable vehicle has the right of way. In this case, the until the power boat started moving, he definately had the right of way. After he started moving, he was in reverse. He still could have made a reasonable argument that he was less manuverable. In addition sailboat did not have his vessel under control. As a former small boat sailor (Hobie 16), I am in support of the power boater. I also appologize on behalf of responsible sailors everywhere. Unfortunately, power boat, jet flea, or sail; there are horse's a**es everywhere, and decent boaters equally spread out. It is just that certain types of boats and boating situations make the idiots more visible and obnoxious.

TerryMSU

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

I used to sail a lot; still do occassionally, and my waters are full of sailboats and motor boats.

Assuming the sailboat was not under power (which eliminates his whole concept of right of way) here's my take:
(1) regardless of rules concerning who has to givw ay to whom, a person cannot inject himself into a dangerous/collision situation and has a duty to avoid it. Sailing into a busy ramp area (unless he, too, was going to use the ramp) was wrong and he is responsible for the consequences.
(2) lots of boaters, sail, paddle and motor, do not know the 'rules of the road' but think they do. The common mistake of the ignorant arrogant sailor is that a sailboat has right of way in all situations, and they often use this to bully or annoy other boaters. Sounds like your guy.

Last weekend I was working harbor security at a harbor festival, and in the middle of a boating demonstration, with hundreds of pleasure boats and working barges and tugs, this 35' sailboat comes screaming into the middle of it, full sail, as if his "right of way" trumped the whole event. He was duly instructed.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Ya know..... last Saturday I was at the lake and the fishing had slacked off so I decided to call it a day. I surveyed the ramp area. Two boats at the courtesy dock, three in line at the ramp. I figure the boats at the dock are waiting for the person that got stuck with parking the tow vehicle and the three on the ramp might launch and go or they might need a spot at the dock. In any case, they were there first so I put some rudder on, opened up the cooler, grabbed my lunch and a coke and just waited.

When it all cleared out, I pulled way up forward on the courtesy dock, went and got the truck, pulled my boat out and went up to the parking lot to prep it for the tow home.

Morale of the story - Right of way doesn't matter at the ramp. Courtesy and common sense always win. The sailboat skipper may have had the right of way (likely not) but he sure didn't have any common sense.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

quick question.... was the sailboat gonna try to powerload onto a trailer by sail?

 

[Bunk47]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

If a sailboat is not undersail it no longer has the right of way. If it was "motoring" as you say it definitely did not have the right of way.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

If a sailboat is not undersail it no longer has the right of way. If it was "motoring" as you say it definitely did not have the right of way.

If it's a MUCH bigger sailboat, it does have right of way, under motor or not.

 

[hozer]

Re: Your Opinion on this Situation?

Well i'm new to the boating world but, I think the docking areas at at fault for not having a traffic light at such a busy and congested ramp. There are so many variables to take into consideration in the matter.# 1 did the power boat operator check all his rear view mirrors and why would the blow boat not apply his brakes. It's just a sad mis fortune of all involved, just be thankful noone was injured and as far as the yelling and screaming in front of kids, thats just not right. Well any ways hopefully both boats were insured and the kids will hear worse language on the school bus. Just my 2 cents not that 2 cents can buy you anything these days, Well enough EVERYONE PLEASE BE SAFE AND HAPPY BOATING.