Tough - I think

The reason you hail, is to make it known you are there.

In fact if memory serves you can be in equally hot water for not hailing in
certain circumstances.

It's been my experience, when sailing amongst muppets, which
occasionally occurs if you're down the pan, they are oblivious to all but
their own predicament. which, could all to shortly become your combined
predicament.

So, if are not a "loudmouth" and don't know the difference between a fair
or an unfair hail and the correct response, you're not going to win much
are you?

And following the logic that's fast developing here of scaring folk into not
hailing for fear of Rule 2 or 69, is going to do them more harm than
good imho.

There again it'll make them easier to beat, perhaps that's your intention?


Edited by G.R.F

Originally posted by G.R.F And following the logic that's fast developing here of scaring folk into not hailing for fear of Rule 2 or 69,

Its not a question of what's developing here. Its a question of what's in the ISAF Casebook. You should read it: its quite clear that hails made to deliberately confuse or intimidate are a breach of Rule 2 - the Fair Sailing rule.

I wasn't intending to stir anything up here, I've almost always found that the most enjoyable events are the ones where the rules are strictly but impartially enforced. If you don't know the current rules - when did the mast abeam rule go? 1996? - perhaps you should be classing yourself in with those "muppets" you're so disparaging of. Having said that, I see nothing wrong with the odd hail when you KNOW you're right of way boat, but if you're just trying to scare someone into letting you have the nice clean air that you weren't sharp enough to secure for yourself, then you deserve to be protested for it and hopefully flicked.

Yes, say nothing, cos there's nothing you can legitimately complain about. If he gives you dirty air, well, "that's International yacht racing" as they say.

 

If memory serves there are only 2 occasions when you are required to hail:

1) To Protest, according to the exact letter of the rule that is the first (and some would say only) word that you should use. Saying anything else will get the protest thrown out on a technicality. You may wish to be a gemtlemen and identify the boat you are protesting with if it is not immediately obvious. I have been guilt of having a discussion with a fellow competitor round the course. I then decided to stick with the letter of the rules. Have a short chat with the other person after the race. if agreement could not be reached between us then it went to protest.

2) For water at an obcstruction. Note I believe this is the only time another boat is required by the reules to respond. They should either immediately hail 'You tack' or tack away themselves.

There is not requirement to hail for water at a mark or at another boat to keep clear (until it is obvious that they are not doing so).

Now back to the incident is question....

If the boat doing the turns did not infringe anyone whilst doing their turns and you find yourself stuck in their drty wind then I am sorry bu that is just your tough. You have to either bear down low or luff up to try and clear your wind. There is not requirement for them to make sure that they dont end up giving another competitor dirty air once they have finished their turns. In fact you could argue that a good helm would plan this so that he minimises the loss and ensures he has a clear lane once his turns are completed (it is what I would do and what I have done in the past).

Just one final note for you GRF I do hope your club has adopted the RYA Charter. If it has and you do any of the actions you have described in your post then I for one (were I a member of the same club) would have no hesitation in:

a) Protesting you
b) Reporting you to your clubs committee

Sailing does not need people like you who exploit the (lack of) knowledge of new comers.

I do appreciate that you say you were 'joking' however this is the Rules forum and not the Banter forum. Keep your jokes to there and you will not upset people who are trying to make sense of a situation.