Conference unifix::sailing

 Any specific area, or world wide?  Remember, these notes
files are a world-wide forum.  If you want to sail in the
SE New Hampshire, or NE Massachusetts area, I can recommend
a few nice places.

For a while last year there were signs posted around Marblehead Harbor 
announcing that EVERY boat had right of way vis a vis windsurfers. I 
would think that this would conflict with federal law. I haven't seen
the signs lately. Of course, windsurfing in a harbor as crowded as 
Marblehead isn't that great an idea. I for one might well sue if an 
uninsured windsurfer hit my boat and damaged it (I have stopped counting 
the number of windsurfers who have barely missed hitting my boat while 
on its mooring). 

Otherwise, have fun.

I sailed down to Newport this weekend and the harbor is full of Windsurfers
and all kinds of craft dodging in and out of moored boats.  Although many
of them do indeed know what they are doing, I can't help but believe that 
accidents like this have happened.  

Good luck trying to sue the person who hits your boat.  Most likely it would 
not happen while you were on it, and the only clues you would have would be 
the color paint on your hull.

I felt glad having a slip.

Rick      

following .2 and .3 off the track 
how would you identify a Windsurfer if he/she did hit you? Are they registered
anywhere?

Ed

I have yet to see a windsurfer that can outrun my 8' dinghy with its
full race 2.6 liter Mercury outboard. Seriously, there is the old VHF 
call to the harbor bobbies and following the miscreant in a dinghy. 
Solving this problem is rather low on my list at the moment though.

I've been sailing in Newport recently (off of third beach) in my Hobie 16.
The windsurfers are not very considerate when it comes to beach area.
As most people know, Hobies can ride right up onto the beach (ooo I love
it)... but windsurfers seem to love blocking EVERY square inch of waterfront
with the boards while they take in the sun.  The only time people seem
motivated enough to pull the boards farther up shore is after I've hit the
sand and am vying for space.  Then everyone is friendly... but that's
after trying to figure out how many times I'll have to tack in order to
hit the one (possibly two) open spots on the beach.  Maybe this
problem isn't isolated with windsurfers (actually its very analogous to
finding open dock space--but there's usually a time limit at a lot of docks).

	I don't usually mind the millions of windsurfers just off the beach
because I can zip right past them out into the ocean... but the beginners
should try to stay away from larger obsticles and visa-versa.  I've nearly
had one heart attack already (that's one too many for me! and I'm only 24)
when a beginner fell down while crossing my tack...

Dan

As a class, windsurfers aren't coming off too well in this discussion. Are
there any class organizations trying to upgrade the level of awareness and
adherence to the rules of the road? Can somebody out there speak for the
windsurfing masses and assure me that when we finally get back on the water
we're not going to have to hang windsurfercatchers off the bow?:-)

Ed

The highest yardarm....

I'm sure we'd all like to question the marital status of their parents at
the time of their birth as well, but I was just making an observation of
what I saw in Newport harbor.  There however, they *DO* know how to sail,
and the windsurfers are no exception.

Rick

re .8
Rick, 
You misunderstood me. A "windsurfercatcher" is a device similar to the
cowcatchers on olden days railroad engines. I don't want to hang anyone,
at least for the time being. 

You're welcome to submit entries to the design competition that just started
here. There are two categories, passive and active and entries must be submitted
electronically to Summit::Thomas. Gidis files will receive extra points in
the judging.

Toodles,

Ed 

Jeesh!

Poor old JAWS::LEGROS started this note, merely seeking someplace
nice to sail his board, and all he knows after 9 replies is that
if he sets skeg on any body of water he's going to get skewered by
crazed sailors who just happen to have more sailing craft them him.
Kind of reminds me of the typical auto/motorcycle relationship.

Dan Hall

re .10
Whhhoooaaaa.

No one's said anything about skewering. Alan didn't even say he'd run anyone
down with his dinghy and I was just trying to be proactive in coming up with
a bloodless (or at least with as little blood as possible) method of sharing
the water with the litle flitters. And I wish someone would tell us where
we can find windsurfers cuz the pictures I've seen in the sporting press
seem to indicate that lady windsurfers all have great bodies and wear very
tiny bathing suits!!   0    0
                         /
                      \____/

Ed "The Dirty Old Sailor"

Try something different for a change ! Sailing beteen the greek Cyclad 
Islands (Kea, Kithnos, Santorin, Mikhonos, etc.) in the open sea. Your
base is a 42 ft. sailing boat which sails from island to island, you surf
along side, in front or where ever. When you've got enough, you hand over
the board to a Zodiaque rubber boat and get on board the sailing boat where
there is always plenty of Ouzo ...

Professional instructors take care of the beginners at every stop over in
the vicinity of the mooring places every evening. Price is approximately
FF 5000.- ($ 750.-) for 2 weeks and includes rental of the board (TIGA FUNCUP), 
trapeze harness, live jacket, etc. as well as full accomodation (bring your 
own sleeping sheet/bag), food and drinks ! Who can beat that ?

Departures every two weeks from Athens, starting June 1 through Sep. 21.
No bombs out on the water, it's 1200 miles from Lybia !

For more info write to PLANCHE EVASION, 3 rue Dr.Paquelin  75020 PARIS,
or call  33 (1) 48 97 85 28 in France.

Happy surfing !

    You might want to ask that question in KRYSTL::WINDSURF.
    
    Your sure to get an answer and it's a lot less hostile!!!
    
    		pray for wind,
    			Robert N.
    
    P.S. - boardSAILORS are SAILORS too! Let's share the water!!