How does one petition USS for a change in rules? Is it even possible?
The only serious incident I've been around since I bought the F16 involved a cavalier port tacker. That incident resulted in a destroyed boat and nearly a fist fight.
I suggest we remove ALL responsiblity to avoid collisions from starboard tack boats and see if the attitude of those port tackers remains unchanged. My guess is their judgement will be altered immediately.
Pete, starboard will still be smiling all day long even if he has to slightly avoid the port boat. The port boat now has to do turns...which is fair punishment for misjudging the crossing situation - wouldn't you agree?
At no time can you setup the rules to allow someone to hit and damage another boat. It leads to chaos.
How many (rule knowledgeable) port tackers have you ever had to duck?
I misjudge a port starboard cross ~perhaps~ once a year and it's not some big, huge, "HOLY ****!" moment. The other boat sees me coming and just has to make a tiny maneuver to avoid. I do between 12 and 18 regattas a year and it's a lot of crossing. I call foul on probably 5 to 10 people crossing me per year. It's part of racing. The rules work very well in this regard.
