If the big boats aren't in my class, I'll give way to them, and let them hold course. But if, for some odd, weird reason I'm in the same class as a 40' keelboat (talk about screwed up) you'd better believe I'd assert my rights.

In PHRF racing, I've seen all kinds of "gnats" that "bother" the bigger boats. San Juan 21's making J/120's and Swan 45's alter course or emergency tack, even though they were in different fleets. I try to stay out of the big boys' ways when I'm zooming around though.

But as it relates to the article. I don't really think the guy is really badmouthing cats. And if he is, who cares. We've had this stygma for a while and if you haven't been introduced to it yet, consider yourself lucky. All we can do is behave like "yachtsmen" (and yachtswomen too!) and hope that one day all the "old blood" notions of beachcats will transpire like the bubonic plague.