Do you know Your PORT/STARBOARD???

Sid · Since 31 Mar 2008 83 Posts Right behind you.

I ride goofy most the time so my right hand is always forward. Does that mean I always have the right of way? Wink

Mark · Sun Sep 21, 08 8:51 am

Easy way to remember... if in the gorge on a summer westerly, riding towards Oregon is starboard.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Sep 21, 08 6:46 pm

one thing to remember, if for some reason your kiting and someone doesn't give way and you have to confront him later; if you bring up maritime law; you are telling the world your gay.

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

Right-hand forward/left hand forward was slightly confusing to me.

A friend simplified the explanation which made sense......if riding in the Gorge (and the wind is out of the West) the kiter heading to Oregon has the right of way over the kiter heading to Washington. Which means, if you are heading to Washington and someone is coming at you, you should give way and bear downwind.

westender · Since 09 Aug 2008 41 Posts Portland/Stevenson

If no prize is involved, the better sailor/kiter should yield to the less skilled person. It will always boil down to that whether you like it or not.

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

jeffreyc · Since 23 Aug 2006 43 Posts

It's been a few years since I've done any racing, but technically, STARBOARD is not a required or recognized hail by the US Sailing Association. The two I can remember are PROTEST and ROOM. It is required that you avoid contact. STARBOARD is used to help avoid contact, persuade port tackers to stay out of your way when you are on a favored tack, but primarily used to intimidate the competition.

Proper procedure is to hold your coarse until you are force to change coarse to avoid contact and then hail PROTEST. The fouling competitor can redeem himself by doing a 720 (two tacks and two jibes). I personally would be satisfied with double back roll. Think of it as a sorry dude, check this out.

I hope this doesn't mean I'm gay....

forrest · Mon Sep 22, 08 8:17 am

Double back roll! I think that's a fair punishment!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I always try to give way If their are swells I just ride one down wind if their are no swell then just jump down wind. Giveing way when kiteing is a fun thing not punishment the only problem is when both kiters try to giveway.

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Starboard tack does not give anyone absolute right of way.
Example: Jumping, riding a wave, over-taking another kiter, riding downwind, being upwind of someone, or someone leaving the beach. This all changes who has the technical right of way depending on what is going on.

Boating rules don't apply 100% to us as you probably don't see too many entries for jumping upwind of other riders, surfing waves, or yield to beach go-ers under the boating rules section 10 paragraph 8 Laughing

If two people are meeting head-on on the water, both should yield to avoid a collision, the down wind kiter "Should" lower their kite etc., but as we all know this doesn't always happen. Starboard tack does not give anyone the absolute right to just mow someone over as you yell "Starboard" at them.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert