I agree and always try to stay clear of any traffic while cruising. I may push it a little further if racing, but usually opt to tack/gybe away before quarters get tight (especially when dealing with boats plowing through the middle of a race course - "ohh, look at that pretty buoy - wonder what that means???").

So... in open water, the TheMightyHobie18 in this story should have given way to the power boat? Assuming sailing upwind, trapped out on the port side... Sorry to be such a moron, but I;d rather not replicate the "pucker factor".