I don't like how this is going. Look at the posts.

[Glenn Basore]

Where are all the guys from the west cost ?

I see large Com Pacs sailing out of Ventura and Oxnard Calif. but I haven't seen any Com Pac Trailer able boats, there must be some out here some place !

[Lost Lake]

I should have looked you up Skip, we spent the weekend in Sturgeon Bay last weekend. Ate prime rib at Nightingales, lunch in Fish Creek, and I can't believe that JJ's on the Bay is now an Applebees! We also ate at Perry's Cherry Diner, perhaps the last time we'll ever eat there if they actually sell the place. Sad to see that icon go....

We scouted out the area, and we took home a contract for a seasonal site at Tranquil Timbers Campground. $1800 a year, but it would allow us to leave a 'home' in SB and we could trailer the 19 up. We would be allowed to leave the boat in the campground even (they have a parking area for boats) during longer trips.

We saw a monstrous catamaran pull into Fish Creek - it had to be a 40 footer, the skipper said she'd do 11 1/2 knots and had four double berths...

We're planning one more trip up this fall and I'll be sure to call if I get any advance notice at all. The way it's been all summer though is booked solid until something falls through, then we make instant plan revisions.

[Rick Klages]

Skip,  I hope I represent the position of "new Blood".  Stick around for folks like me.  I have lots of sailing experience but I'm a rank newbee as far these boats are concerned.

ick

[Bob P WHTMTS]

Hi Skip  I usually hang out on the Yahoo site, and drop by to see whats been dicussed.  The Yahoo site is quite also.  Here is a story which happened July 29 in the Fore river Portland, Me
I just got the boat back from being fixed and its mid October!  While returning from a lunch time sail we we're broad sided.  A steel hulled for hire 70' schooner was setting its sails.  I was under sail jib only, the outboard was out of the water.  I saw the schooner idle in the middle of the harbor.   Then I noticed It began to move perpendicular to traffic...then the sails started to be unfurled.  I was surprised at her speed she was being pushed by tug.  I tried to avoid her but the jib luffed and I was hit amidships.  The mast snapped and came down.  As I sat in the cockpit with shrouds, stays, sails cluttering CaraMia I thought to my self this can't be happening.  The crew apologized  for the collision.  We filed a reports with the Harbor Master and the Coast Guard.  Sailing season is just getting started........there must be a greater meaning to this (

[Rick Klages]

It's simple. You are lucky to be alive.  Now sue the yardarms off that garbage scow.  Her master or the pilot should lose their license. This goes for the tug as well. NYS law has provisions for operation without due care including depraved indifference to human life.  Your local laws will vary. This does not constitute legal advice.

ick

[Glenn Basore]

A new boat would be nice !

May be not realistic but, I would certainly get the best quality replacement parts along with best boat repair service available.

[Bob P WHTMTS]

You would  ASS-U-ME that when an you are involved in an incident that, like in auto, you exchange insurance info get it fixed,get on with life.   Not so fast of the water....this is what I wrote the Harbor Commission last week.  We love the Maine coast.  This year we got a mooring at the CYC on the Fore River.  Due to weather the season started late.  Then on July 27 I was involved in a collision with a commercial passenger The SV Frances a for hire sail boat based in the Fore River.  I was hit broad side and dis masted.  My mast and sails fell to the deck.  Seeing the jagged broken mast laying on the deck.  It was very fortunate that myself or the 30 or so passengers on the other vessel were not seriously injured or killed.    I hailed the Harbor Master who wrote down my personal information, while he was also trying to contact the Coast Guard.  It was 30 minutes later that the Coast Guard showed up.  By then I had been towed back to my club, which is next door to the CG station.  Since then I have tried to communicate with the company who operates the vessel, Maine Sailing Adventures, I have emailed, called three times, and asked for insurance information.  Freely offered mine.  They do not respond.  I have been trying to get a copy of the accident report I filed with the harbor master and the Coast Guard.  I have called the Harbor Master three times and left a message, wrote a letter requesting a copy of the report I filed.  No response by phone or mail.  The Coast Guard I have called 5 times to the accident office and wrote a letter requesting a copy of the report I filed.  Again no return phone call or letter response, even when promised by Lt Ed Green who heads up the investigation dept.  Now three months later the incompetence of our harbor enforcement is bugging me.  Last week I again called the Coast Guard.  I was connected to the investigation office of Chief Walberg. After explaining my frustration of only wanting a copy of the report I filled out, I was promised by his polite subordinate my call would be returned.  Now a week later my frustration is just as intense.  How can I get those I trust to protect me to respond?  The Harbor Master responded quickly.  I also contacted the member of Congress for the district covering Portland, Me and my congressman here in NH.  That should kick the CG up a notch.  I spoke with a CG subordinate (read that low rank).  She explained that it was still in progress of being investigated.  it should be finished by the first of the year!!  then it goes to a higher committee to be approved.  If not approved it will be returned to be resubmitted!! When I asked why it takes soooo long, the answer is they have higher priority investigations going on.  My impression of the CG is if you asked them to build a dog house.  While one held the nail and the other held the hammer....they would wonder what is supposed to happened next...may be the nail hits the hammer.....we should investigate!!  To be continued.........

[Rick Klages]

Get a LAWER now!  One who knows something about maritime law!  Go to the offices of the company who owns the vessel which hit you.  All it's documents should be available for public review.  I'm sure they are hoping you will go away.  Do you have insurance? Don't let the CG off the hook either. 

ick

[K3v1n]

You sure are lucky that is all that happened.
I can see why now in the ASA sailing class when discussing the rules of the road they tell you to steer clear of larger vessels.

Best wishes for a speedy repair.

-Kevin

[fiddlerami]

I try to abide by the (technical) rules on the water, but when in the vicinity of a larger vessel I always contemplate the "other" rule "Might makes right."  I have seen smaller lighter racing yachts on starbord tack and hailing "starbord" to a larger heavier port tacker receive a the response "CQR!"  Now that will make a skipper tighten his grip on the tiller!!  (the response of "CQR" was in jest, of course)

[Rick Klages]

A shot across the bow is always the correct course of action in this instance ().  I will not yield my rights even if it requires extraordinary actions.  The size of my opponent does not frighten me. I will yield if they are deemed helpless to comply with the law and social custom. Otherwise its their a** (if you know what I mean).  I will board other vessels if necessary.  I do know the law.  Might means nothing to the informed citizen. avoid collision if it's within your power. Prosecute to the full extent of the law nonetheless! Just because you are sailing a 16 foot boat doesn't indicate you have no rights.  Don't back down. Bob P WHTMTS by now I'd have em by the short and curlies.  Like out of business.  Think press release.  Stand up MAN! You can affect their business! You have pictures! Make a police a report with your local authorities! Contact the district attorney. File a cessation of business action in civil court! Press charges against the Skipper! Wrongful damages.  Grieve the Coast guard for dragging their feet!   I'd tie the wreck of you boat to their dock.  Picket.  Drum up support from the local jyacht clubs and commercial fishing folks. go get em! Everyone needs a hobby!   Mess with the bull you get the horns.


ick

[Tim Gardner]

Whoa there big guy! Those were sails on the other boat, not a windmill!

TG

[Rick Klages]

  I was surprised at her speed she was being pushed by tug. 

She was under power as the post stated.  Motive power by TUG! They are entirely at fault!

ick

[Bob P WHTMTS]

You guys would make one hell of a support team.....if you were standing next to me coaching.  Yesterday I spoke with the Rear Admiral at the club. He asked how things we're going.  I gave him the facts....which I shared here.  He said HELL!! I be down the standing in front of the owners desk with the accident report.  Letting them know their operator had violated at least 6 of the Rules of the Road.  We can settle on the damages to my boat or go to court.  Then the settlement will be at least twice the price and possiblity not covered by insurance!!  This may happen this Friday if I have the seeds and courage
About the post is reference to this dismasting.  I comply with the rules of the road, stay away for larger vessels.  I have taken Power Sq courses, Coast Guard Nav course.  I did not apper a collision was an issue until we we're with in 100'.  Prior to that I had plenty of room to pass under sail at my current speed.  I suddenly realized the vessel had picked up speed unusually quicker than what I would have expected a vessel of that tonnage would have.  What I was unaware of was the tug pushing it.   Also I should mention this 70' vessel was in the harbor, crossing perpendicular to the normal traffic pattern.  The harbor isn't more than a 1/2 mile wide.  When it became apparent we were on a possibly collision course Ii was going for the horn, but decided to fall off course....but I may put myself in more danger of a collision, then realizing the slow hull speed falling off was not a good choice.  I maintained my course thinking I will just make it...then so slow but so fast!!  I still think about it how would I do it different, other than not being there I would not have changed any decision.  I still can't believe it happened.....com'n the boats are so big you can't not see them, there going so slow......  Here is a shot of the damage looking aft.  Look how the PVC track for the RF is bent.  Also you can see the other side of the harbor, the incident happened a 1/4 mile to the right. 

[Bob23]

Remind me not to sail in the vicinity of Ick. He apparently doesn't know the law, doesn't care, and probably can't sail if his life depended on it! Guys like this are dangerous and are usually found at the helms of powerboats. 
Bob23 in "Koinonia"