Yes, I’ve nearly been run down a number of times by big and usually fast powerboats. I’m not sure there’s much you could have done differently, since my assumption in many cases is that the powerboat is on autopilot…blissfully unaware of small objects they might crush between waypoints. (The person you mentioned on the bow probably wasn’t to blame; they likely had no way to quickly change the boat’s course.) Ironically, the closest I came to literally being run down was when sailing a 17’ wooden sloop. A large and fast County Sheriff’s patrol boat with four guys aboard—one of those grossly overpowered aluminum jobs with twin 300-hp outboards—came off of idle speed and gunned the engines…heading directly toward my little boat. As their boat’s bow went skyward coming onto a plane, they might not have been able to see my boat’s mast…but once on a plane at great speed there were still aimed directly at me. In one of those slow-motion moments I could tell all four guys were chatting with each other and paying no attention AT ALL to their heading, and they never did change course. I was on a painfully slow tack and came within literally a few feet of becoming kindling as they flew by at about 30 knots. I screamed and offered a familiar gesture, as their wake tossed the sailboat aside, but they never did notice, look back, or otherwise acknowledge what had happened. So, like you, I’ve been thinking defensive thoughts ever since, realizing that even well-trained skippers of fast powerboats can be deadly. (But usually it’s because they simply don’t know what they’re doing, and/or they just don’t seem to care about little boats that get in their way.)
Happened to me once, I got the name and numbers of the boat, reported it to local marine patrol, who had some words with the owner. I also found the boat in local marina and expressed my extreme disappointment to the captain ( large professional yacht.) Plan Z there is always your flare pistol. More civilized, get out your phone , pictures and then report it
This is one of the reasons I always keep a gopro running at all times. Two of my sailboats are engineless. If I need to move them when there is no wind, I need to use the oars. Kayaks, obviously, have no engines.
While nobody has tried to run me down while sailing, I have had a couple of close calls while in a kayak. The closest happened with the powerboat leaving deeper water in an as attempt to roll me. The result was a large powerboat stuck firmly in the mud after making a rather rapid halt.
While I did not report them, I did get to enjoy listening to the conversation with the Coast Guard and sea tow. I imagine it was an expensive learning experience.
Welcome to the club of sailors scorned by boaters. When I was much younger and sailed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I never encountered boaters passing sailors recklessly. They slowed and avoided us. Decades later when I reengaged in sailing in lakes in Virginia and in a bay on the Potomac, my experience has been dramatically different. I’ve come to detest jet skiers who seem happy to speed around my catamaran Casio g serious challenges with their wakes and near misses. In my ‘23 monohull, very few boaters seem disinterested in slowing down to minimize their wakes as they zip by me within 20 feet of my hull. I don’t get it.
I, too, have had such an experience. Years ago, sailing a 22" sailboat and heading in from a large bay, a "cigarette" type racing boat ran right up my stern until the last seconds when it veered off and passed just in time. Never slowed down. My sailing partner and I got a bit wet, but the boat did not take in much water. Still, the intent was clear to buzz us big time. My partner wondered aloud if we had a shotgun aboard (no) in case there were any such future encounters. I admit, a similar thought crossed my mind as well! But many, many other power boats on that bay were very courteous around my boat most of the time, slowing down or staying well off. So, I still think it's an uncommon event.
I have experienced the same thing. While rowing a 16’ Whitehall skiff a large power boat with 3 guys on the foredeck deliberately tried to turn me over by driving at me on a beam collision course. Turning at last moment to see if the wake could swamp me. They failed I could see the look of disappointment on their faces I have never understood the motivation of such people—still don’t
I have been known to observe the name of the vessel and then politely and professionally hail the skipper on channel 16 asking him to go to channel 68 where the public shaming begins.
I had that happen in Desolation Sound . Was stowing stuff onboard at the start of a cruise in a 26 foot sailboat and floating (not in a channel, and no sails up) dead in the water. A power boat came right at us and I had to start the motor quickly to get out of its line of travel.
I am convinced that he had his autopilot direction set for the entrance to a popular cove and was not wanting or willing to change his heading. Of course his wake made a jumble of the items that we were organizing inside our boat. My wife and I were not happy campers!
I've almost been run down many times on Narragansett Bay --- where I have been sailing and motoring since the 1960s.
States like New York have specific requirements for operating vessels over a certain size or horsepower., but most do not.
The Coast Guard apparently has little interest or authority over boats that do not carry passengers for hire.
To me, it is just another symptom of the ultra-wealthy class we have created in America since the 1970s through lax tax rules and the crony capitalism of Wall Street. A class composed of people with an unearned feeling of superiority and entitlement. Big, expensive, powerboats are rarely owned by average people.
While it is unfortunate, and small sailing craft under sail do have the right of way, this not an uncommon occurrence. Until recently no one was required to have any kind of license to operate a power boat of anything like a normal size. (Whatever that is) Many people own or rent boats large enough to cause us sever problems. Having the right of way will do you no good in any collision and maritime law takes effect after the fact. This is one of the reasons I try always to have some alternate means of propulsion that can take effect rapidly. It's also an excellent idea to try limiting where we go or finding ways to cross busy traffic patterns quickly. Obviously, that can't always happen when we want to go somewhere. One does the best one can, then you pay your money and take your chances. I wish it were not so.
My first thought was a shotgun in a handy location. But that will get you in trouble with law enforcement. Then, as mentioned by several other people here, a flare gun with lots of flares came to mind. Of course you may need that shotgun back up when the power boater takes exception to your flare burning on his deck....
In 1979 I left Whale Pass on Prince of Wales Island, heading for Ketchikan in my 17' Folbot, with camping gear and my two huskies on board. This was before there was a community there, just a floating logging camp. A couple of kids in a skiff saw me and started harassing me, roaring up and turning at the last minute to throw their wake and try to swamp me. That stopped when I pulled out my Forest Service radio to contact anyone in the FS trailer for help. One of the kids yelled "he's got a radio!" and they took off, thank goodness.
Other than that incident, it was a grand trip camping along the way! I had a sail rig but it still took four days to make it home.
Since you brought up motorcycles, I’ll remind you of the saying that there’s only two types of motorcyclists, ones that have been down and ones that will go down. I’ve experienced right of way issues with power and sailboats. I just assume that people don’t know what they’re doing and try to leave an exit plan to protect my boat and the POBs. Good luck!
People can be blase about passing quite closely. Due to their power they are in control of avoiding the collision and they don't worry about it. It doesn't occur to them that the sailboat guy might worry about it. Another factor is that they may be curious. Once a seiner with his outriggers out and fishing bore down on me at night. He veered off only at the last instant. I think he was attracted to my light, wondering what i was. Scared me bad.
I am fortunate to be able to say it has never happened to me in over 50 years of boating. Not that I don't experience big wakes too close sometimes, but never any danger of collision or any deliberate attempts to swamp me. Thank goodness. I do try to stay out of crowded waters, only because I value peace and quiet.
Lots of commiserating here, but not much offered in the way of advice (beyond using a flare gun as a weapon, which could be an issue onto itself). Some thoughts from a few decades of sailing...
1) A few years back I attended a seminar on the Rules of the Road (COLREGS) presented by a Coastie. An astute member of the audience observed that - given the rule that all vessels are responsible for avoiding a collision regardless of who has the right of way - the rules really only apply to those who know and observe them. The Coastie agreed. It's unfortunate but true - we must always be on the lookout (another rule) and act defensively.
2) Channel 16 is for hailing AND SAFETY. A "Sécurité" call is intended to warn mariners of potential safety issues. Use it. For example:
2a) If a vessel is operating in a dangerous or unsafe manner, it is entirely appropriate to alert other mariners. "Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. All vessels are advised to be on the lookout for a 25-foot powerboat, "Litigation Launch," heading north near marker 4R and generating a dangerous wake near small, open boats."
2b) This applies also if you're adrift or otherwise unable to move quickly. "Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. Vessel Zephyr is becalmed and adrift near the main channel. All vessels are advised to keep a lookout and a wide berth to avoid collision."
2c) And you can help others, "Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. All vessels are advised that there is a fleet of Opti sailboats with small children near marker 4R. Please keep a lookout and a wide berth to avoid collision."
NOTE that in all of these cases, you have just broadcast to everyone in hailing distance - including the Coasties and local authorities - of a potential safety issue. While we want to avoid an issue in the first place, if something does happen, everyone was warned and there are now potential "witnesses."
3) A vessel is responsible for its wake - including any damage it causes. Eric Russell mentioned his mast breaking due to a wake. He had the right idea - take them to court - but didn't follow up on it. Get as much of the vessel's information (e.g., name, port, state registration, etc.) as possible and immediately call the authorities. If your mast breaks, calling "Pan-pan" (for an emergency which does not involve an immediate danger to life, safety or the vessel) is appropriate. And yes, you should work with the authorites and file a report. The operator might get cited and you might get your repairs paid for. (And yes, they might not get cited and pay for your repairs, but that will never happen if you don't try.)
4) A few folks mentioned a horn. Like Channel 16, it's a tool that should be used. A series of short blasts is the accepted signal for warning about a potential collision.
I have been sailing in Gardiner's Bay, Long Island since I was a kid (79 now). Motor boats once were courteous but in recent years all courtesy has gone by the wayside. I've not had as scary an experience as you describe but the boats come uncomfortably close and swamp me in their huge wakes... all the while waving at me!! Worse yet, in our channel where you shouldn't have a wake and the speed limit is 5 mph, they charge through, again leaving a large wake. I wish we had more enforcement of this violation but I've never seen our marine patrol (limited staffing) stopping anyone for this practice. I doubt this will improve without strict licensing of motor boat drivers, which I'm not optimistic about, so we'd best always be on the defensive and hope the wind doesn't die at a critical time. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I’ve nearly been run down a number of times by big and usually fast powerboats. I’m not sure there’s much you could have done differently, since my assumption in many cases is that the powerboat is on autopilot…blissfully unaware of small objects they might crush between waypoints. (The person you mentioned on the bow probably wasn’t to blame; they likely had no way to quickly change the boat’s course.) Ironically, the closest I came to literally being run down was when sailing a 17’ wooden sloop. A large and fast County Sheriff’s patrol boat with four guys aboard—one of those grossly overpowered aluminum jobs with twin 300-hp outboards—came off of idle speed and gunned the engines…heading directly toward my little boat. As their boat’s bow went skyward coming onto a plane, they might not have been able to see my boat’s mast…but once on a plane at great speed there were still aimed directly at me. In one of those slow-motion moments I could tell all four guys were chatting with each other and paying no attention AT ALL to their heading, and they never did change course. I was on a painfully slow tack and came within literally a few feet of becoming kindling as they flew by at about 30 knots. I screamed and offered a familiar gesture, as their wake tossed the sailboat aside, but they never did notice, look back, or otherwise acknowledge what had happened. So, like you, I’ve been thinking defensive thoughts ever since, realizing that even well-trained skippers of fast powerboats can be deadly. (But usually it’s because they simply don’t know what they’re doing, and/or they just don’t seem to care about little boats that get in their way.)
Happened to me once, I got the name and numbers of the boat, reported it to local marine patrol, who had some words with the owner. I also found the boat in local marina and expressed my extreme disappointment to the captain ( large professional yacht.) Plan Z there is always your flare pistol. More civilized, get out your phone , pictures and then report it
This is one of the reasons I always keep a gopro running at all times. Two of my sailboats are engineless. If I need to move them when there is no wind, I need to use the oars. Kayaks, obviously, have no engines.
While nobody has tried to run me down while sailing, I have had a couple of close calls while in a kayak. The closest happened with the powerboat leaving deeper water in an as attempt to roll me. The result was a large powerboat stuck firmly in the mud after making a rather rapid halt.
While I did not report them, I did get to enjoy listening to the conversation with the Coast Guard and sea tow. I imagine it was an expensive learning experience.
Welcome to the club of sailors scorned by boaters. When I was much younger and sailed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I never encountered boaters passing sailors recklessly. They slowed and avoided us. Decades later when I reengaged in sailing in lakes in Virginia and in a bay on the Potomac, my experience has been dramatically different. I’ve come to detest jet skiers who seem happy to speed around my catamaran Casio g serious challenges with their wakes and near misses. In my ‘23 monohull, very few boaters seem disinterested in slowing down to minimize their wakes as they zip by me within 20 feet of my hull. I don’t get it.
I, too, have had such an experience. Years ago, sailing a 22" sailboat and heading in from a large bay, a "cigarette" type racing boat ran right up my stern until the last seconds when it veered off and passed just in time. Never slowed down. My sailing partner and I got a bit wet, but the boat did not take in much water. Still, the intent was clear to buzz us big time. My partner wondered aloud if we had a shotgun aboard (no) in case there were any such future encounters. I admit, a similar thought crossed my mind as well! But many, many other power boats on that bay were very courteous around my boat most of the time, slowing down or staying well off. So, I still think it's an uncommon event.
I have experienced the same thing. While rowing a 16’ Whitehall skiff a large power boat with 3 guys on the foredeck deliberately tried to turn me over by driving at me on a beam collision course. Turning at last moment to see if the wake could swamp me. They failed I could see the look of disappointment on their faces I have never understood the motivation of such people—still don’t
Thbey should be charged with assault
I have been known to observe the name of the vessel and then politely and professionally hail the skipper on channel 16 asking him to go to channel 68 where the public shaming begins.
I had that happen in Desolation Sound . Was stowing stuff onboard at the start of a cruise in a 26 foot sailboat and floating (not in a channel, and no sails up) dead in the water. A power boat came right at us and I had to start the motor quickly to get out of its line of travel.
I am convinced that he had his autopilot direction set for the entrance to a popular cove and was not wanting or willing to change his heading. Of course his wake made a jumble of the items that we were organizing inside our boat. My wife and I were not happy campers!
I've almost been run down many times on Narragansett Bay --- where I have been sailing and motoring since the 1960s.
States like New York have specific requirements for operating vessels over a certain size or horsepower., but most do not.
The Coast Guard apparently has little interest or authority over boats that do not carry passengers for hire.
To me, it is just another symptom of the ultra-wealthy class we have created in America since the 1970s through lax tax rules and the crony capitalism of Wall Street. A class composed of people with an unearned feeling of superiority and entitlement. Big, expensive, powerboats are rarely owned by average people.
https://dick-dowdell.medium.com/messing-about-in-boats-9f2da20b99a2
While it is unfortunate, and small sailing craft under sail do have the right of way, this not an uncommon occurrence. Until recently no one was required to have any kind of license to operate a power boat of anything like a normal size. (Whatever that is) Many people own or rent boats large enough to cause us sever problems. Having the right of way will do you no good in any collision and maritime law takes effect after the fact. This is one of the reasons I try always to have some alternate means of propulsion that can take effect rapidly. It's also an excellent idea to try limiting where we go or finding ways to cross busy traffic patterns quickly. Obviously, that can't always happen when we want to go somewhere. One does the best one can, then you pay your money and take your chances. I wish it were not so.
My first thought was a shotgun in a handy location. But that will get you in trouble with law enforcement. Then, as mentioned by several other people here, a flare gun with lots of flares came to mind. Of course you may need that shotgun back up when the power boater takes exception to your flare burning on his deck....
In 1979 I left Whale Pass on Prince of Wales Island, heading for Ketchikan in my 17' Folbot, with camping gear and my two huskies on board. This was before there was a community there, just a floating logging camp. A couple of kids in a skiff saw me and started harassing me, roaring up and turning at the last minute to throw their wake and try to swamp me. That stopped when I pulled out my Forest Service radio to contact anyone in the FS trailer for help. One of the kids yelled "he's got a radio!" and they took off, thank goodness.
Other than that incident, it was a grand trip camping along the way! I had a sail rig but it still took four days to make it home.
Since you brought up motorcycles, I’ll remind you of the saying that there’s only two types of motorcyclists, ones that have been down and ones that will go down. I’ve experienced right of way issues with power and sailboats. I just assume that people don’t know what they’re doing and try to leave an exit plan to protect my boat and the POBs. Good luck!
People can be blase about passing quite closely. Due to their power they are in control of avoiding the collision and they don't worry about it. It doesn't occur to them that the sailboat guy might worry about it. Another factor is that they may be curious. Once a seiner with his outriggers out and fishing bore down on me at night. He veered off only at the last instant. I think he was attracted to my light, wondering what i was. Scared me bad.
I am fortunate to be able to say it has never happened to me in over 50 years of boating. Not that I don't experience big wakes too close sometimes, but never any danger of collision or any deliberate attempts to swamp me. Thank goodness. I do try to stay out of crowded waters, only because I value peace and quiet.
Lots of commiserating here, but not much offered in the way of advice (beyond using a flare gun as a weapon, which could be an issue onto itself). Some thoughts from a few decades of sailing...
1) A few years back I attended a seminar on the Rules of the Road (COLREGS) presented by a Coastie. An astute member of the audience observed that - given the rule that all vessels are responsible for avoiding a collision regardless of who has the right of way - the rules really only apply to those who know and observe them. The Coastie agreed. It's unfortunate but true - we must always be on the lookout (another rule) and act defensively.
2) Channel 16 is for hailing AND SAFETY. A "Sécurité" call is intended to warn mariners of potential safety issues. Use it. For example:
2a) If a vessel is operating in a dangerous or unsafe manner, it is entirely appropriate to alert other mariners. "Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. All vessels are advised to be on the lookout for a 25-foot powerboat, "Litigation Launch," heading north near marker 4R and generating a dangerous wake near small, open boats."
2b) This applies also if you're adrift or otherwise unable to move quickly. "Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. Vessel Zephyr is becalmed and adrift near the main channel. All vessels are advised to keep a lookout and a wide berth to avoid collision."
2c) And you can help others, "Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. All vessels are advised that there is a fleet of Opti sailboats with small children near marker 4R. Please keep a lookout and a wide berth to avoid collision."
NOTE that in all of these cases, you have just broadcast to everyone in hailing distance - including the Coasties and local authorities - of a potential safety issue. While we want to avoid an issue in the first place, if something does happen, everyone was warned and there are now potential "witnesses."
3) A vessel is responsible for its wake - including any damage it causes. Eric Russell mentioned his mast breaking due to a wake. He had the right idea - take them to court - but didn't follow up on it. Get as much of the vessel's information (e.g., name, port, state registration, etc.) as possible and immediately call the authorities. If your mast breaks, calling "Pan-pan" (for an emergency which does not involve an immediate danger to life, safety or the vessel) is appropriate. And yes, you should work with the authorites and file a report. The operator might get cited and you might get your repairs paid for. (And yes, they might not get cited and pay for your repairs, but that will never happen if you don't try.)
4) A few folks mentioned a horn. Like Channel 16, it's a tool that should be used. A series of short blasts is the accepted signal for warning about a potential collision.
I have been sailing in Gardiner's Bay, Long Island since I was a kid (79 now). Motor boats once were courteous but in recent years all courtesy has gone by the wayside. I've not had as scary an experience as you describe but the boats come uncomfortably close and swamp me in their huge wakes... all the while waving at me!! Worse yet, in our channel where you shouldn't have a wake and the speed limit is 5 mph, they charge through, again leaving a large wake. I wish we had more enforcement of this violation but I've never seen our marine patrol (limited staffing) stopping anyone for this practice. I doubt this will improve without strict licensing of motor boat drivers, which I'm not optimistic about, so we'd best always be on the defensive and hope the wind doesn't die at a critical time. Thanks for sharing.