crazy sailors

Originally posted by JimC The main point that needs to be made from this is that there should always be a protest hearing if there's insurance level damage...

 

This is not really the case.  If a protest committee find out that the only reason for the protest is to aid in an insurance claim they should (and probably will) throw it straight out.  Happened to us sailing the quarter tonner a long time ago, we were in the right technically but a fair amount of damaged was caused to the other boat but none to ours.  We thought it best to retire from the race as a gesture rather than for a rules reason.  The other boat was forced to retire too.  We got off the water and contacted the yacht club to get the details of the boat who we hit and swap insurance details. When doing so we found out they had protested us, i went to the hearing and after hearing each others sides i asked "why are you protesting us?" to which i got the reply "for insurance reasons".  The Jury then kicked the protest out on these grounds.  Protests are not there for insurance, they are there to make the racing fair.

Did you protest?

Gordon

Originally posted by Rupert How old are the parties involved in this spat?

14 and 12 or so

Not necessarily relevant - some of the mowt mature sailors I have seen in a protest room were Optimist sailors. And lots of childish behaviour from those old enough to know better.

Gordon

Read rule 14 carefully. A boat cannot be exonerated for breaking this rule,  but the right of way boat shall not be penalised unless there is damage or injury, and need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark room.

Gordon