12/10/19 CROSSING SITUATIONS (CONTINUED).

December 10, 2019

RULES AND CROSSING SITUATIONS (CONTINUED)

CHRIS HOFMANN

This was another excellent presentation by Chris about crossing situations. There was a lot of audience participation and kudos to Chris for keeping order with multiple participants in the discussion.

The discussion started with a situation where a port boat is approaching a starboard boat.  The port boats hails “tack or cross”.  The starboard boat can hail either “tack”, “cross” or “starboard”.  If the starboard boat hails “cross” starboard must avoid the port tack boat, even if he must alter course.  By hailing “starboard” the indication is “I have right of way, do not cross unless you are sure you can clear me”.  In any event, the starboard boat should avoid contact (rule 14).  In a close situation, the starboard boat should dip to avoid collision.  In a situation where it is not close (possible T-bone), a protest should be hailed and STILL avoid contact.

A lengthy discussion ensued about the port tack boat Lee-bowing the starboard boat.  Mike Gross presented a dynamic demonstration of how the wind approaches and wraps around a boat and how to use this “altered wind” in when lee-bowing.  In short, the wind on the leeward side of the windward boat accelerates and if you are lee-bowing a windward boat, you can capitalize on the accelerated wind and pull ahead of a windward boat while also slowing them down with disturbed wind from your sails.  The ultimate concept presented by Fred Molnar was that if you cannot comfortably cross in front of a boat, you should not attempt a lee-bow.

There was discussion about how to protest a boat that has fouled you.  In short, you must hail the word “PROTEST”.   Anything else said does not count!  “Do your turns”, “You just fouled me” do not count.  You must hail “PROTEST”.  You must also fly a red flag (immediately) indicating you are protesting the actions of the other boat.  People that are really prepared for racing will have a red flag tucked away on the body somewhere to be able to comply with the “immediate flying of a red flag” requirement.  It is important to be aware that the protesting boat MUST appear at the protest hearing to present the case.  I once filed a protest in a national regatta, but never showed up to the protest hearing so it was dropped.

I think the biggest point of the evening was the acronym presented by Chris: IWIWHD.  This acronym stands for “I WISH I WOULD HAVE DUCKED” and refers to the situation where a port boat is sailing in front of a starboard boat and not quite clearing. It is much better for starboard  to duck to avoid contact than to keep on your course and collide and then protest. 

There was also discussion about the penalty for fouling another boat.  The RRS indicated a 2 turn penalty for fouling another boat.  The final word on this is indicated in the sailing instructions which will frequently indicate a 1 turn penalty for fouling another boat.  So if you are a port boat, and you think you can clear a starboard boat and they protest you, you can do your turn(s) to exonerate yourself.  For our Tuesday night sails the sailing instructions (as indicated on the back of the course card) is a one turn or a 270 degree turn to exonerate (#4 on the course card).

A good reference for crossing situations can be found at: https://www.yachtingworld.com/5-tips/5-tips-port-starboard-cross-simplest-rule-70870

These crossing situations can be close calls.  I remember once when it was certain I was going to clear a starboard boat and a power boat crossed in front of me and it’s wake slowed me down enough that I didn’t clear.  It is important to consider all aspects of a crossing situation. 

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Something that was not discussed is the concept that a person on the bow can be gauging the crossing and will see that he is clearing the starboard boat while the guy at the stern (assessing the range) indicates you will not cross.  In this situation, you are headed for a T-bone situation unless someone alters course. The part of the boat that must CLEAR a starboard tack boat is the stern, the person judging the ability to cross MUST be at the stern of the port boat.

Because of the impending holidays we will not be meeting for the next 3 weeks.  Keep an eye on your e-mail for the next meeting announcement.  We will continue with rules in the next few meetings (after the holidays), but many people have expressed interest in presenting.  Homer Lighthall would like to talk about modifications to improve boat speed.  Some people would like to talk about destinations they have sailed.  Stay tuned for future topics to be presented.

Thanks to all of you for your participation.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice