I'm an ex 16ft skiff sailer at GRSC, now a kiter. I'm not condoning this attitude and most honest sailors will agree with me when I advise that sailors when racing are gernerally pretty cranky buggers ( usually because they have stuffed something up and someone is now beating them ), they expect non racers to get out of their way at any time, especially if you are not racings. In fact if you call starboard on one I'm sure the skipper will explain it in two words "F@ck Off" Some even take pleasure is forcing the issue, ( perhaps that was just me)

Also like steve says, in anything over 20knts, if the guys are on the wire and have their kites up (Spinakers ) they definately dont want to get off the plane to avoid a kiter. Also there is ( used to be ) prise money involved for the winners.

In general when racing a sailor will give right of way to any other boat racing and everyone else is expected to get out of the way, (unless the other boat is bigger)

From memory Georges River sail on Sundays and St George on Saturdays, NE winds most weekends, it may not be right but it just is.

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Originally posted by stuey132002

HiGuys,
I currently sail 16's and kite as well. Am thinking of giving up the skiffs though cause it takes too much time away from potential kiting days!!
Anyway the skiffs are a pretty outta control animal when its windy especially on the river in a runout tide Nor'easter. Half the time we are blinded by spray and the other half we are out of control. Theres not much chance of avoiding a kiter in the water etc but we would try probably resulting in a long swim for the crew of the skiff. Needless to say the skiffies would be pretty pissed off with you for getting in their way.
There will be more skiffs than usual this weekend as St george is holding two state title heats. There wasnt enough wind to kite in yesterday and looks similar today, so there shouldnt be any probs.
Hope we can all share the water in harmony blah blah blah etc etc... sure you know what I mean.
See you on the water, oh except if you ride those useless jetski things then you can piss right off back to your cave!!!
Cheers.
Stu

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Thanks for the support Stu, even today will not be a problem, and making these posts certainly will help with prventing any conflicts. I will be placing an A Frame on the beach if the skiffies let me know when the races are on, just ot alert the kiters on those days when there is potential for a clash.

I know what you mean by the jetskiers, this morning some some maniac on a 150 foot tow rope is being dragged about by a hotted up outboard skiboat, right up the middle of the river which was packed with boat traffic, then he reappears with about 8 jetskiers all flanking the skier, all doing 40-50 knots, they are an accident waiting to happen!!

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

Hey GalahOnTheBay,

I am a west oz poley... Started looking at the (YAWN) kite forums because someone said something about sharks south of the forums boarder

Anyway, I agree, water is for all If flyin' a kite floats your boat, so be it!

Pugs

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Originally posted by Kitehard

Hey Guys,
I also used to sail on the 16's from St George and when they are racing they have right of way over craft not racing. Besides as others have said a 16 with a kite up going flat out with the crew on the wire will mow you down due to lack of options. A 16 in 20 knots with a kite up will cleave you in half if you're lucky and worse if you're not.

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this is all fine, but it's time for the sailors to take thier hand(s) off it. nowhere can I find anything about people in a race having right of way:

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

in fact, even when racing they need to keep to safe disatances and speeds. So if I have a race does that give me the right to tear ass thorough any other water user?

from the GRSC website "We are very safety minded. Each race is patrolled by well maintained pick up craft manned by experienced crews plus numerous safety items incorporated in the sailing rules." - pffft - really?!?!?!?

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nowhere can I find anything about people in a race having right of way

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22.1 If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing.

In this situation a kiteboarder is classified as a boat.

Do a google for rule 22.1 and you'll find many references to it.

Very well...

Taken from http://www.conwyriverfestival.org/rules.htm , which in turn takes its rules from "The Rule Book 2001-2004":

As a matter of courtesy, boats not racing should do their best to keep clear of those racing but there are no rules requiring them to do so.

So if you really want to push your luck then you might occasionally have right of way over a skiff, but remember that even if you have right of way you forfeit that as soon as you change direction (especially if you leave the water).
I guess it comes down to how obstinate you want to be about contesting "your" patch of water with crew that have been sailing skiffs there for years. It also comes down to how lucky you're feeling... I wouldn't like to chance it with some of those bowsprits bearing down on me at 25 knots, but then maybe that's just me.

No one ever said anything about sailors having more rights to the water than kiters!
I always thought the rule went power gives way to sail (except in Syd Harbour with Orange diamonds displayed) and further that non racing gives way to racing.
I have only sailed 20 years and am not sure which paragraph or even section these rules are written in the book!! To me it makes sense that these rules exist, I sail out of Manly and get so many power boats and yachts in our way that we tend to avoid them even if we are in the right, as its much less hassle.
This discussion is supposed to be about getting on and letting kiters understand another water users point of view. By quoting rules etc I think your losing perspective of what was meant to be a constructive discussion and NOT an us versus them divide. God (and Allah) knows theres enough division going on down South as it is!!
Chill out galah, perhaps a ride on a 16 in 20 kt runout tide Nor'Easter in the river would help you to understand that theres not a lot a skiff could do to avoid someone suddenly in their way. Basically thats all Kitepower was trying to say.
Remember that I kite too so can see both points of view, no one should be driving a wedge in between two groups that have very similar interests at heart. A lot of guys I sail against are itching for a go at kiting. We all want clean water, facilities, access and even wind, so I would have thought we have much more in common than not! Have a think about it........
Cheers and Peace man
Stu

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Originally posted by GalahOnTheBay

Umm what ever happend about sharing? what gives them more rights to the water than us? No really...

I have sailed @ dolls and seen the sailer almost run over SWIMMERS in the flat water behind the groynes let alone kiters out in the middle - I think race or no race they don't own the water, and should show some respect to the rest of us.

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Dear Galah,

Fang off a steep chop and fully boost right over all those masts, man.
Never let a fleet of gay racing skiffs that are bearing down on you fast,
deter you from your chosen path.
Dig your heels in , Galah. LOL

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Originally posted by waveslave

Dear Galah,
Fang off a steep chop and fully boost right over all those masts, man.
Never let a fleet of gay racing skiffs that are bearing down on you fast,
deter you from your chosen path.
Dig your heels in , Galah. LOL

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hehehe - so it is written, so it shall be done... [}:)]

in fact, when they are racing i'm gonna disconnect the bypass leash from my switchblade and drop it upwind of them