Blind spots, rights of way, communication

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 43 Posts Mosier, Oregon

A big topic, but important. I will try and be brief. Seen some close calls and some dumb communication recently.

1) Remember to look in your blind spots frequently. This goes for all types of craft. Check your blind spots before initiating your turns, especially downwind turns!

2) Downwind craft technically has right of way. But, no matter who has right of way, all sailors must avoid collision. Even having right of way, it can be dumb or rude to run somebody else off a big fat swell. There should be no intent to set a collision course, just because you have right of way! Intentionally crashing into the water is a legit way to avoid. Sometimes, it's your best choice. So, just do it.

3) If you hear a whistle or a yell, especially from your blind spot, be thankful. That person just let you know he/she was in your blind spot! It's loud out there, so, especially if you don't turn your head to look, you could get another whistle/yell. It's called "communication". Kinda like the Whos from Whoville ("We're here!"). Be thankful and happy, not angry. Cussing that person out for communicating is really not the right spirit.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 617 Posts Addicted

Just curious, why is anyone riding in some else’s blind spot for any length of time?

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 43 Posts Mosier, Oregon

Going through blind spots is inevitable. Such as when a faster craft is overtaking a slower craft.

Blaming is disingenuous. So please stop it. Checking your blind spots frequently is good piloting. Honking your horn is smart too. And you know it.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 617 Posts Addicted

shred_da_gorge · Tue Aug 19, 25 10:49 am

These are good points, thanks for the reminder. Communication is easy, and I hope if people hear me shouting "I'm upwind of you!" or "I'm downwind of you!" then they don't misinterpret that as 'blame' or aggression, just situational awareness. (I will be trying to yield right of way in that situation, unless I'm on a tack I can't slow or change safely, like getting squeezed by other approaching riders into a pinch point).

deminimis · Since 15 Jul 2014 330 Posts On the Rocks Obsessed

COLREGs lay out the rules. It can be confusing, so as Gale Snoats famously said, "I'd rather light a candle than curse your darkness". Not sure where I was going with that, other than squeezing out a Raising Arizona quote. I'll take that as a win.

A bit OT: Here's a problem we recently had. In the channel, on a sailboat. We were the stand-on vessel, maintaining course. A kiter (young-ish) made a bee-line for us and would not give way. He came stupidly close to colliding with us and likely would have, had we not shut down. He kept on, right across our bow. Happens. We went on our way and so did he, neither worse for wear. Chances are, he'll never do it again. No big thang. As kites, wings, etc., are more maneuverable, they are the give-way vessel when compared to a sailboat. Simple enough, or it should be. It is rarely an issue, actually. Now, don't get me started on some power boaters out there on calm days. I'm thinking some of them cheated on their boating test.

shred_da_gorge · Tue Aug 19, 25 5:04 pm

You have to take a boating test???