T&T: Powerboat wakes...

[William Brewer]

Amen to Marin Faure's words on the pleasures of sail...which so many of 
us miss.  But powerboating does, thankfully, open up a new and 
intriguing world, and this friendly list makes it more enjoyable.

As to why skippers under sail are less likely to monitor Ch. 16 and 
respond to calls, if indeed they are, I would suggest that the 
pleasures of being out for a quiet relaxing sail are lessened by the 
constant weekend jabber, especially if turned up high enough to hear on 
deck.  Another factor is the frequency with which large fast powerboats 
come by close aboard and leave a wake that rolls the air out of one's 
sails and throws beer cans off the table.  It is enough to turn a 
sailor into a Luddite, including an aversion to all electronic devices.

My observation is that sailboats under power, headed somewhere in a 
businesslike way, are just as likely to be monitoring Ch. 16 as 
powerboats.

Lord knows I am not a paragon of virtue in this matter but I do try to 
avoid a wake when passing close aboard boats under sail.  Even 9 knots 
in Nancy Lakin is too much; at 6 knots the wake is tolerable. Of course 
in narrow channels the situation may be different, especially if the 
overtaken boat refuses to slow down.  In that case it is his problem, 
not mine!

Bill Brewer
Nancy Lakin
Covey Island 46
Lying Galesville MD



























William Brewer
Box 289
Galesville MD 20765
periwin@comcast.net