Beer can racing - When to protest or not

[Lucky Dog]

Ok here goes 

racing in Detroit nice little 6 mile jaunt around the cans we always get a little fleet compression at one of the marks with a range of cal 25s sport boats and some old IOR type boats.  It’s fun and interesting to maneuver thru with my bigger than most boat.  
the issue is their is this guy - who cut inside the Fleet on new breeze failed to give room (to me) and then says what it’s a beer can race what’s the big deal? Sort of like those guys who barge at starts .

 BTW he’s not in my class

it’s going to happen again he is the type.  

Is a protest the only remedy?

 

[dfw_sailor]

My reply is for regattas I don't hesitate - protest on a foul.

For beer can, unless the foul is over the top and deserves immediate protest (collision or willfully and obviously fouling) , I prefer a quiet chat after the race for the first time. That chat includes a warning that if the sailor fouls like that again I will protest. AKA a friendly, firm but fair warning the rules are there for a reason, and without the rules it wouldn't be fun, even beer cans.

 

[VWAP]

it is better to protest at a beer can race so that either he learns the rules or finds out he can not get away with that type of nonsense. otherwise why screw up and go through the hassle at a significant event. 

 

[mookiesurfs]

"What's the big deal" means he knew what he was doing was wrong, and you need to call him on it. How you do it is your business, but if it was me I'd ask him what happened. He might confess or he might rationalize. What to say from there is highly dependant on how it's going, but I'm probably going to be nice and guilt him by pointing out how it ruins other people's evenings and offer him a beer. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. The point has been made however, and protest him without hesitation henceforth.

 

[BGeff]

What they said ...

 

[PaulK]

What’s the big deal with making some turns, then,  since it’s “only a beercan race” ??  If you hail protest, all he has to do is 1/ not hit anybody & cause damage and 2/turn(s).  Nobody has to go to to any protest meetings if he follows the rules. 

 

[Lucky Dog]

Follow up:  he emailed me with the usual it’s just a race why am I getting all worked up? I responded I will protest him next time.

Today he responded with let’s be friends stuff I think he got the message.  The little talk/emails I hope works- protests are a pain.  That being said I have the red flag ready and the protest forms in the nav station.

thanks for the comments next week we will see.

 

[unShirley]

It has worked for me.  In my fleet two different sailors, both very nice guys, flagrantly fouled me in one race.  I had the chat with them that evening, warned them I would protest in the future. Neither one has fouled me ever since.  One of the guys was a notorious barger at the starts.  He claimed I couldn't force him up into the committee boat.  I replied, "yes I can and I will."  He quit barging after that.

 

[PaulK]

We had a boat barge us at a start though I warned him not to try it.  His dinghy outboard, hanging off stern rail, snagged our bow pulpit and dragged us both into  a third boat to leeward, causing extensive damage. Our ramming the Committee Boat at six knots might have sunk it. Rules are there to help prevent this sort of thing.   

 

[CunninghamTrimmer]

Have a chat with the guy, but not by yourself.  Take some other owners who witnessed the foul and make sure he knows the fleet doesn't find it acceptable so you don't start an individual war.

If that doesn't work, throw the flag!

 

[ROADKILL666]

Take him to the bike racks 

 

[See Level]

It's not a beer can race if you can file a protest.

It's just drinking beer during a race.

 

[AJ Oliver]

White people's problems. 

aka, First World Problems 

Count yourselves way, way fortunate 

 

[The Dark Knight]

White people's problems. 

aka, First World Problems 

Count yourselves way, way fortunate 

blub blub blub

Helen, do you realise that this is a sailing forum?

 

[fastyacht]

Ok here goes 

racing in Detroit nice little 6 mile jaunt around the cans we always get a little fleet compression at one of the marks with a range of cal 25s sport boats and some old IOR type boats.  It’s fun and interesting to maneuver thru with my bigger than most boat.  
the issue is their is this guy - who cut inside the Fleet on new breeze failed to give room (to me) and then says what it’s a beer can race what’s the big deal? Sort of like those guys who barge at starts .

 BTW he’s not in my class

it’s going to happen again he is the type.  

Is a protest the only remedy?

Protest early and often.

 

[Guest]

Dont hesitate to protest but a caveat, if you know your opposition a word with them will often work, no one wants to waste time on  petty issues in the room if its not a regatta but if they are drunks, you must and if they are cunts you must

 

[Quagers]

He claimed I couldn't force him up into the committee boat.  I replied, "yes I can and I will."  He quit barging after that.

I mean....in quite a few situations (most perhaps) you actually can't.......

And in those that you can, you shouldn't. You should protest rather than force a collision.

 

[TJSoCal]

I mean....in quite a few situations (most perhaps) you actually can't.......

And in those that you can, you shouldn't. You should protest rather than force a collision.

You can't force him to hit the committee boat, but you can force him to choose to tack away rather than hit it. If he then chooses to break a rule instead you're correct, the proper action is to avoid contact if possible and protest. 

If you want to avoid protest hearings for beer can races, ask your PRO to put Appendix T arbitration or (in the US) appendix V alternative penalties into the SI. 

 

[Quagers]

You can't force him to hit the committee boat, but you can force him to choose to tack away rather than hit it. If he then chooses to break a rule instead you're correct, the proper action is to avoid contact if possible and protest. 

Sure yes, but the reference to forcing someone into the C boat suggests they are committed and tacking away isn't an option. In which case, you are only in the right if you don't alter course, and even then, you shouldn't force the collision.