STEEPLECHASE INCIDENT #2: BOAT ATTACKS BRIDGE

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Clearly this is the fault of the race committee for not providing the racers the common sense to avoid low-hung bridges.

US Sailing is watching after all!

Shame on everyone involved!

/sarc

Nah, USS will only pay attention to catamaran sailors when they want money.

The bridge was found at fault as the boat was clearly on starboard.

oh, that is nauseating to watch.

can't look...can't look...DAMN!

Sorry Eric, hopefully it will save a mast.

You guys obviously haven't heard of the tonnage rule...

Mike

Ya gotta love Steve's commentary and Mica SSSHHHHHHing him.

That is one sick sound you never get used to hearing.

man that stinks. i am sorry to the owner of that stick.

how is a new racer (or old) supposed to know the hight of a span on a race course?

Is it covered in the skippers meeting? are there markers up around "safe" spans?

When you sail under a bridge how do you know you can make it?

Look at a chart, maybe. It's called seamanship.

terrible thing to happen to a boat, and I feel for them.

but I have to be honest, I laughed pretty hard when i watched it. I expect to see that clip on a funniest home videos show soon!

I only know because I have seen other bigger masts than mine.

The chart is only going to show you channel span heights (typically the center) in relation to tide. If you're not entering through the defined "channel" under the bridge, you're on your own.

Was this bridge being low mentioned in the skippers meeting?

Has anyone hit it before?

In this case you can chalk it up to a brain fart.

The bridge is gigantic and the guys that hit it have done this race (and won it) countless times (in the same boat). The bridge (like many) is shaped in an arch and is lower on the sides where it comes back over land. The further right you sail under the bridge means the less distance you have to cover to get further up the next sound....the spans get lower and lower to the right. It doesn't sneak up on you and the channel through the center (read "safest") span is well defined. It's up to the sailor and his experience to manage the risk. It's part of what makes this race interesting and exciting.

The bridge is fine and they have sailed under it many times with no problems. They were just trying to take a short cut and going several spans over from center where the channel is.

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/in...p;pid=3507492&st=0&#entry3507492

Thanks Dave and Jake,

Got it, just like the bridges around here

I was just trying to see if it was an issue and if it would be addressed in skippers meetings (i did ask about a how woud new racers know).

Thanks for that tidbit.

Perhaps the driver missed the reminder from the Captain of the USS Montana ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VkB-b840yY

haha! nice

Craig, that clip just might go viral. Damn that social networking!

That one is not mine, it is Mica's. We only went about half way to the bridge.

Craig , Your video work on the collision was excellent. Truly cool under fire. Great job.

Thanks, the spin pole from the Nacra came very close to me. I was only looking through a 3 1/4" screen and hard to judge the distance as it was coming. There was so much going on, I was not sure what I actually saw until I saw the footage.

Keeping it steady when zoomed in was almost impossible on a moving boat. I did another version first without the interview JC used for SA.

Wish I had more time and skill to do a better editing job but as they say, at some point you have to put down the pencil.

Gosh, Guess we didn't tell anyone there was a bridge.., oops! Two bridges on the course. We also neglected to tell them there were islands and reefs and sandbars and channels, and God knows what all.., maybe even some big fish out there. Oops! and there were waves we forgot to mention.
Silly us.
Rick

Yeah! Damnit Rick, you could have told us that lines can make blisters on hands, that I might get wet on a catamaran, and that I might get hungry if I don't eat or thirsty if I don't drink. I swear...these race committees today....

Oh...Rick, can you do something about all the weeds on the ocean side next year?

It is called the Steeplechase afterall. The presence of obstacles and the pursuent navigating of said obstacles is implied.

I think it is "pursuant"

Purses ain't got nothin' to do with it. Buncha frickin' yahoos.

And spray paint those shallow areas so I can see them better.

I believe that they are painted. I think the color is "classic sand" if I'm not mistaken. Sometimes they use "classic weed" but that's more unusual.

How is it Rick's fault that you guys aren't sailing Hobie 16s or Waves for this event? Nice short masts, no boards, nice kick-up rudders...



Mike

An H16 (with spin)finished right in the middle of the pack I believe.

I know, that was meant to be funny. Is this better?

How is it Rick's fault that you guys aren't ALL sailing Hobie 16s or Waves for this event? Nice short masts, no boards, nice kick-up rudders...

Mike

With waves we can bang into each other all we want. Good thing too 'cause the race would take a week.

Now you're talking about the WWF that Perf Sails hosts in Melbourne FL. bumper boats in Waves followed by bar fly-bys.

That **** is the most fun I've ever had sailing.

hey, maybe a barge-fest at T-winds with Waves? If it weren't their nationals I'd probably consider it Don't they have like 6 there for charter?

That sounds like fun. When is it?

What? The bridge didn't rise up for a Roberts? Is God blind?

"Good thing too 'cause the race would take a week."

Easy, big fella. I won the Round the Bay in Michigan first place with about 60 high-tech boats,
First place Sandusky Steeplechase,
and 2nd Place in the Conch Cup, Miami

All with a Wave and a Hooter.
If I could get someone to run the Steeplechase, I might just do it.

Also rigged up a super-duper Wave, with roller furling, Hooter, with a self tacking jib. And was staying with a Hobie 20 with a top national guy sailing it.., until the implosion.., back to the drawing board.

Rick

I'm in if you can get Mary's permission!

+1
Maybe it's a Karma handicap rating system.

Ha Ha Jack. Chances are SLIM TO NONE
Rick

don't forget the anchor and throwable life ring....

You can borrow the ones I bought for that race years ago.