Dave, you're off the hook on this one. The incident in question took place at GYC a month or so ago between Robi and I.
You're right, there is no way I could be the "butt" in question. I'm one of the nicest people I know.
No you are not. LOL
Karl:
IMO You knew I was in a bad situation, Yes I could have tacked absolutely correct, I was close hauled heading to weather, you passed it really close and I could not squeeze in between you and the dinghy if I did there would have been a collision either with you or the dinghy, I chose neither option and slacked the main to slow down and get behind you.
You played your rules, fine.
If it were me, I would have given you room, even if I have all the rights in the world not. IMO that is OUTSTANDING sportsmanship. Safety first rules second, that is how I sail. I will avoid a situation at all cost even if it cost me a spot or two because I will know in my conscience I did the right thing to avoid a bigger situation.
Robi I believe you had right to room to pass an obstruction, these are the applicable sections of the RRS.
19.2 Giving Room at an Obstruction
(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on
either side.
(b) When boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the
inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she
has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
Definition of Obstruction: An object that a boat could not pass without changing course
substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull
lengths from it.
You did not need to tack. when the leeward boat chose to duck the obstruction, you had the right to duck it too.
BTW: I hope to see all you guys in person. I just bought a house in Palm Harbor, 3 miles from the Dunedin Causeway. I have already met alot of the guys who sail from the Causeway and even got a ride on a couple of the cats over to the spoil islands and also out to the Gulf. I will probably be moving down there after our race season ends. I should be on the water down there by mid-November.
