9/06, DC, 6.7 to 7.5/144L

[Leo Chan]

A good session at DC, finally. A little gusty from 12 to 3. But it became on and off after that. Still, a good session nonetheless. There were 6 or 7 other sailors out. We all had good times.

On another note: those f#%king stupid rednecks are still being their stupid self. Even though there were only a few of them today, one stupid redneck in jet ski managed to come within couple of meters in front of me and another stupid boater just keep looking at the dock and turn in front of my sailing path. What can we do about it? I really wanted to smack my rig at their boat to teach them a lesson.

[Josh Shirley]

lol, Leo you would have been taught the lesson.

You could always get a stereo installed on your rig so they hear ya.

[Leo Chan]

Trust me, if I am not so concerned about breaking my sail and mast, I would try.

I did curse the heck our that young lady would could really benefit from some workout with some windsurfing equipment rather than sitting on her butt.

Gosh, I hate the effect of stupid people's action has on me. . .

[JimSouthwick]

http://gallery.me.com/jsouthwick

Ah, those rednecks! The other day I was pinching hard on port tack in an effort to get up to Island Beach. As I passed a drifting powerboat, one of the occupants yelled at me to watch where I was going!

The good news is that after Labor Day, the rednecks disappear from the lakes. Apparently they don't know about wetsuits. Don't clue them in!!

[Steven Nyhus]

I feel your pain! A couple years ago a power boat would not give way and I had to bear off while a gust hit me on my 9.0. The human catapult almost ended up IN his boat. Made me really mad and cracked the nose of my board. On the other hand after running fishing boats on the ocean for many years, I still live by the rule that tonnage has the right of way! Sounds like the person in the boat you mentioned may fall into that catagory!

[Leo Chan]

On the other hand after running fishing boats on the ocean for many years, I still live by the rule that tonnage has the right of way! Sounds like the person in the boat you mentioned may fall into that catagory!

If you time it right, the force of a sail hitting a powerboat could cause damages to the boat and the people in the boat that would far greater then damages to your sail. Not that one should do it. But I think the boaters are underestimating the power of a 9.0 sail hitting them at 20+ MPH. Also, since you have the right of way, they have to pay the damages to your equipment!

Power boat against power boat? Tonnage wins.

[Shawn Henderson]

School‘em professor Chan, but remember they have a lot less to lose financially. Rednecks don’t have much savings or insurance. (the boat is probably their most valuable asset) As an econ guy I am sure you will make wise decisions. To bad the lake police don’t look out for sailors more. I am sure they could use the revenue. Also, I hope you understand the rules better than I. Today I was slogging on the same reach and upwind of a dingy and got cut off by the pilot. Pissed me off! I was sure he was being a jerk, but come to find out I was the idiot. Should have given way... Oops! I guess I will just assume most boats are clueless and tack, bear off, or jump off if necessary to avoid other craft. A windsurfer with boat rage would be like a moped going crazy chasing a semi. Soft target.

[Leo Chan]

Good point on the insurance and financial condition of rednecks. I will keep that in mind the next time I am tempted to try hitting them with my sail.

As for rules, just remember the boat on the down wind side and/or starboard always have the right of way.