Arbogast's experience is terrifying. There are truly fools and idiots in all categories. And the sheer size, weight, and speed of a powerboat make it a deadly projectile. With that said, it is obvious that in any marine collision that there is always somebody at fault. The powerboater in Arbogast's story is obviously a no-looking, hamfisted, foreign language speaking fool. I guess that makes all powerboaters idiots. Must mean I am an idiot, too. All these years my wife must have been correct...
I have spent very little time on a sailboat, but I have spent enough to appreciate the attributes that make it popular to some. The tranquility, and sound of the water on the hull, the calm winds, and the appreciation for making motion out of something pure and natural.
I'm not embarrassed at all to say that sailing is not for me. Not my bag. To me, it parallels golf. Golf is a game that many many people are passionate about. I've played it. It's not for me. When it comes to playing golf, I'd rather sit and watch grass grow. Sailing is not for me, either. In fact, for me, it is a WHOLE LOT LIKE watching grass grow - except I think the grass may grow faster...
Blasting across the water at high speeds? Yep, I like it. Pulling innertubes and wakeboards? Yep, I'm there, too. Loading up a cruiser with 30 friends and running 35knots to the steakhouse up the lake? You betcha.
I grew up across the channel from a sailboat harbor on our lake. My whole life, from my 13' Whaler days to current times, I have boated in close proximity to sailors. I've read the regulations. I've taken the courses for my sticker.
I pass many sailboats. I pass em when they are pleasure sailing. I pass em when they have their little buoys out for their races. I pass em slow. I pass em fast. Whenever there is a toss up decision, I've always tried to pass them to their stern with the simplistic view that my wake (large or small, whichever) will "help" them go faster. Whether I'm right or wrong, that's my logic there.
I am happy for everybody to enjoy the lake.
Whether their desire is to:
* pull something fun on a rope behind a boat (ski, tube, etc).
* park dead center in the channel and hang chartreuse glitter worms on a string underwater (fishermen).
* fly all over the lake cutting donuts and hopping out of the water (jet skis).
* transport loads of drunk people from restaurant to restaurant on giant boats blasting tidal waves behind them (cruiser guys).
* running 80 in small raceboats with trolling motors in search of apparently very rapid fish (bassboaters).
* running 100 in large very loud boats, usually with augmented women in bikinis (cigar boaters).
OR
* planning detailed strategy on how to make their wind powered boat get from here to there (sailors).
I want everybody to enjoy.
Can't make everybody happy all the time though.
I WILL say that if I am trying to do what I *think* is correct and I get a bird flown at me, I will make a mental note of it and will try something DIFFERENT the next time I see you out (and DIFFERENT doesn't always mean better...)
Sailors of old times learned to use common sense and logic, else they died far away from home with saltwater in their lungs. I feel that common sense is still a helpful thing, although we have other inventions to helf keep us alive when we are stupid.
The guy who parks his pontoon boat in the center of a narrow channel to fish will have to endure some significant boat wakes while he sits there. And when the commercial barges come through he will have to move or be crushed.
The guy who fishes 18" off a rock bluff on a river channel will need to expect to get his boat smacked into the rocks.
The guy who tacks a hobie cat in a narrow crowded channel will need to expect to get passed on all sorts of sides.
The guy who runs a 40' cigar boat on a crowded day will need to expect to do a lot of maneuvering and also a lot of slowing down in various sections.
The guy who runs a 50'cruiser fast will need to expect to post a lookout for small vessels in compromising situations and will need to reduce his wake for them.
It's give and take for us to all enjoy the water.
If you shot me a bird, I will probably take some steps to reduce your enjoyment. Motion me to slow down? That's fine. Fly the finger? You've just requested some special treatment, brother...
Be so insanely clueless to consider ramming me?
I've got some out of date flares I need to do something with. I'd hate for you to end up with a big smoldering hole in your sail...
I'm a considerate boater for the most part.
Hope to see you out soon.
mc
