Friday, June 25, 2010

Port/Starboard Fail

For those of you who thought I was off my nut or, maybe a tad immature in the last post, I return to more sober sailing topics.......

I wrote previously how getting off a lee shore is number 1 for comic disasters in small boat sailing.... number 2 has to be the upwind port/starboard encounter when racing. Starboard tack has the right of way and when on port, the skipper must employ complex spatial calculations to avoid hitting or interfering with the starboard boat. This calls for split second decisions on whether to duck the starboard taker or maybe tack underneath and how to execute the maneuver with flawless course corrections. The experienced calmly zoom across the stern of the starboard tacker, within inches of the rudder. The not so experienced.... well, lets go to the video tape........ (local sportscaster George Michaels favorite line)......



There is never a good time to cream someone!

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