I find that some of the dinghy racers (certianly not all but some not even racing) in Chichichester Harbour are just as bad if not worse. Obviously not as potentially dangerous but they seem to have the same "I'm the only person that matters and every one else can go to hell" attitude.

On more than one occaision, I've seen a dinghy continually change course to steer straight across my bow even though I'm in a channel (theoretically restricted manoeverablilty) and showing my port bow. If they had kept on a straight course they would have passed 50 yards behind me.

Maybe some have got chips on both shoulders; firstly because I've got a motor boat and secondly because they can't afford a proper yacht.

Sorry Cathy - I m going to be in the dog house for this....

The IRPCS are there for a reason - to be 'obeyed' by all vessels as appropriate. As Richard pointed out to his student the stand on vessel is that for a very good reason. Just because a yacht is racing why should anyone elese be inconvienced in enjoying their use of the water?

Don't get me started on Chi harbour Chas! I ll just say I d agree 110% with your 1st paragraph. Paint your boat grey and stretch it a bit and they seem to eventually decide that the narrow channel rule applies!

W.

Hey, I'm not disagreeing with the reason for the IRPCS and of course they have to be obeyed. The convention about getting out of the way of racing boats means getting out of the way before close quarters situations develop, so avoiding the need for late avoiding action on either part. I was trying to say that it is only a convention of courtesy, and racing yachts have no right to expect it, still less a right to ignore the rules and terrorise others by "aiming at the helmsman"  as in Richard's article.

I think there is a real problem with boats becoming so much faster and more powerful and therefore harder to manouvre - the Open 60s and Extreme 40 catamarans may look wonderfully spectacular, but can be a nightmare for other water users. I certainly wouldn't insist on my "rights" under the IRPCS with them any more than I would with a VLCC. In both cases I'm more manouvrable, and self preservation dictates "early and significant" avoiding action before close quarters situations develop.

As Richard has pointed out, in crowded waters like the Solent, if you give way to one boat, you are likely to get in the way of another. You just have to think further ahead and be prepared to keep out of trouble. And it's not fair to suggest that it's only the racing boats that "bend" the rules and push their luck. The drivers of fast and powerful RIBs are my current phobia. A lot of them don't seem to be aware that there are any rules at all, and also seem to think cutting up yachts is central to their "sport."

---"And it's not fair to suggest that it's only the racing boats that "bend" the rules and push their luck. The drivers of fast and powerful RIBs are my current phobia. A lot of them don't seem to be aware that there are any rules at all, and also seem to think cutting up yachts is central to their "sport.""---

I think it is very fair to single them out though Cathy because the chances are that a fair few of the drivers of RIBs and the likes genuinely don't know any better (we getting back to that old chestnut of compulsory licenses again) but anyone capable of raceing that sort of yacht will know exactly what the rules are but they are self centered and arrogent enough to ignore them. It would also seem that they are stupid enough to think that everyone else knows exactly what they are doing because many would just freeze or panic. 

The drivers of fast and powerful RIBs are my current phobia. A lot of them don't seem to be aware that there are any rules at all, and also seem to think cutting up yachts is central to their "sport."

I ve just sold my  RIB so am now totally innocent! Unfortunatetly I think they are to easy to buy, drive, 'sail' now - they ve become the new jetski/boy racer machines. Shame as when used properly they are an extremely versatile and useful craft, but when not are dangerous machines.

Trouble is we re preaching to the converted on forums like this as anyone who darkens the doors tends to be making the effort to learn...

Maybe in its prevention and education role the MCA should be more proactive in advertising the fact there are rules of the road? Especially at places like boat shows and busy slipways.

W.

---"Don't get me started on Chi harbour Chas! I ll just say I d agree 110% with your 1st paragraph. Paint your boat grey and stretch it a bit and they seem to eventually decide that the narrow channel rule applies!"---

Can't stretch it but I'm considering a coat of dark blue paint and a flashing blue light Wolfie!

Of course the real issues about the IRPCS are that the racing rules are in some instances completely opposite!

An example would be the IRPCS requirement for overtaking vessels keeping clear, wheras in the Racing Rules we have all sorts of wierd concepts about sailing proper courses which can force the overtaken boat to keep clear.

The Solent problem is purely one of congestion compounded by bad manners.

I think the real problem is that mostly the people who race these boats, don't own them, so have no cares about damage and the costs involved.

You just have look at them as unfortunate people who don't earn enough to buy their own boat. (and frankjly whenever I've raced against these so called pros in identical boats- the vast majority aren't particularly good or fast either!) 

Can be an advantage being slow and heavy-if something small and/or  light weight hits my heavily layed up hull think it might just be them who come out of it worst-but then I dont have to put up with all that crowding and traffic-think it would completely spoil sailing for me!

Oh and I believe that if the really good sailors got the opportunity to sail the really good boats UK boats would win far more racing events.Always seemed to me that its good social skills that gets sponsorship and recognition not necessarily good sailing skills.

Phil

If it's not Grande Prix power boats its enormous cats and huge mono hulls. If I'm not concerned about dodging the roro ferries, I am nervous about the hovercraft. This last w/e I was surrounded by jet skis one minute, being passed by a gang of stink pots the next.

Part of the exercise this w/e was to give a relatively inexperienced Day Skipper who has passed her theory exam, a bit of practice at things before she does her practical in a few weeks time. One thing about The Solent, is you are liable to meet a huge amount of situations concerning the col' regs in a w/e that you would take weeks to experience elsewhere. This was one reason I would encourage people to do their Day Skipper there and because in such a small area you have everything that an instructor/examiner needs to test and get the best from his students if they survive it!

Later on Saturday afternoon, ‘peace and tranquility’ i thought. "Let's go away from it all and visit Chichester" I said. But, having got down by The Bar, we did a 180 due to the congestion and headed out towards Nab for some peace and quiet.

We did manage a long run later on and got the spinnaker aired for the first time this year, so that was worth it.

I think Cathy is probably right in what she has had to say on the subject though.

I rather feel it will only get worse and it's best to stay away if possible.

It will probably come down to licencing etc.. one day, but |I hope I'm well beyond my sailing days when it does. I can't wait 'til I'm retired so I can sail during the week and cruise well away from it all ! Trouble is, the only way I can afford to sail is to continue working. Catch 22!

I wish I could sail from another area but travelling is a problem for me, however, I do know one friend who has just moved his boat from The Solent to the Fal to get peace and quiet and pleasant cruising grounds. It means a trip of over 100 miles to do it. Even though he will not sail so often he thinks it may be worth it.

I have another young friend who is a racer and they have moved their yacht to France to race.  They no longer race at Cowes due to the fact that it has become too dangerous with too many carefree, careless skippers, sailing with hooray Henry's that don't give a hoot about what damage they may cause to others. 

Clyde is always worth considering-if you are prepared to take late night/early morning flights with Easyjet et al -Gatwick/Luton believe there are returns to Glasgowfor little more than £30

Phil

Hi Phil, yes I would thoroughly recommend the Clyde. Ive sailed from there twice some 6 or 7 years ago.  A long way to take all the gear though from the South of England and the time and costs would prevent me spending as much time afloat. I can be sitting in my cockpit from home to boat inside 2hours normally. I have even been straight down from work just to spend the night with a bottle of wine relaxing, and been back to work the next moorning.

We took a trip to IOM and accross to Strangford Lough and back with ice on the sails the first occassion, end of Oct' early Nov'. One thing about the Clyde I'm told, is that you can sail huge distances there most times of the year protected from the worst of the Atlantic weather.

Strangford is worth a visit but great care is required if navigating all the way from the far end to the estuary at night in a spring ebb. The local charts were considered by the locals to be the only ones to really trust.

We had an encounter in the Clyde with the police guarding the Submarines on the 2nd visit.  We were about a mile away from the subs and they came at us as if they were about to ram us and were really threatening in their behavior showing their guns etc..  Made us feel a bit uncomfortable. 

Us powerboaters Chas!

W.

Nope not yet they haven't Chas - at least not within earshot!

So Scotty what about one of the 'orange and blue boat' Skippers having a day off charging around in his own gin palace 'stink pot' - does the boat make the difference?

And maybe just because of the ratio of sail/power I ve encountered over the years the balance of inconsiderate is fairly even... if you include jet skis, etc.

W.

Hi Wolfie,

the problem with most of the craft that cause others nuisance, is that they make a great deal of noise, but perhaps I can stand corrected on that. These craft may be thrilling to some and probably to me in my youth, but when anything causes harm or aggravation to others in an inconsiderate manner then I feel it should be outlawed and moved on to where it doesn't cause others a problem.   I think we have had this discussion last year on this site and there is no defence for selfishness, is there? 

Last summer I took a trip to Kerry and Dingle in SW Eire, where I was invited to go out in a huge rib. The owner/driver in his late 20's to early 30's showed a huge amount of consideration for other craft, slowing down a long way off to reduce the noise and passing a long way off so as not to impinge on others pleasure of a fairly tranquil scene,.  I rarely witness that sought of behaviour in The solent.

However Chas and Wolfie, from the knowledgeable and responsible input you both have on this site I can imagine you both being very responsible at all times. cheers, Scotty

Your previous descriptions of Solent on a summer weekend are very different from that which I enjoyed a lot of years ago. (I've heard other stories where yotties have said they must reach the marina by midday or all visitor spaces will be filled)

Possible alternatives seem to be:

1. get a job where you work weekends and get days off in the week.

2. buy a shallow draught boat and be as the tightwad sailor

3. be prepared to commute further to the boat eg. Hook of Holland or Amsterdam.

4. retire and cruise Solent on weekdays only

---"The owner/driver in his late 20's to early 30's showed a huge amount of consideration for other craft, slowing down a long way off to reduce the noise and passing a long way off so as not to impinge on others pleasure of a fairly tranquil scene,."--- A lot more responsible than some of those lunatic racing sailors in the Solent then!!!!

I try to behave responsibly Scotty, I'd much rather help people than hinder them.

Mine is a motor boat and it's also quite noisy, sounds a bit like a vintage racing Bentley but I like sailing boats as well and there is a humdinger just moved to our marina; brand new, about 50ft long but hand built to about a 150 year old design. The only thing I could see on her that was plastic was the GPS sensor. You could go anywhere in it in comfort and complete safety. The thing that might suprise you is that several of the gin palace owners there all agreed that it was the best boat that had ever been in the marina. What was even better was that the couple who owned it were really nice friendly people.

Yeah, the Solent is getting crazy but you shouldn't have too much trouble south of the NAB, there's plenty of room for everybody there.

Cheers

Chas