right of way
Hi all! I know that starboard has the right of way (right hand forward) but it seems to me that as a windsurfer it is easy for me to go upwind around you as I feel I can pass safely at a closer distance. If i pass downwind how far would I have to be to be safe? I don't really want to be under your kite as I know you can get blown downwind quickly.If I go upwind and point upwind(with a hand signal) would that be ok or would it just make you mad.P.S. I'm going to try kiting soon,looks like fun.You guys go slow though.(Just Kidding!)
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Re: right of way
Good questions.windsurfer wrote:Hi all! I know that starboard has the right of way (right hand forward) but it seems to me that as a windsurfer it is easy for me to go upwind around you as I feel I can pass safely at a closer distance. If i pass downwind how far would I have to be to be safe? I don't really want to be under your kite as I know you can get blown downwind quickly.If I go upwind and point upwind(with a hand signal) would that be ok or would it just make you mad.P.S. I'm going to try kiting soon,looks like fun.You guys go slow though.(Just Kidding!)
Starboard allways has the right of way however, starboard must maintain it's course. If you feel that you can pass upwind without making the starboard rider change course at all, go for it. Remember that we don't want to be within 15 feet of your rig either. If you get gusted, the force of your mast coming down is easily enough to crack one of our skulls.
As to staying the course and crossing downwind...evaluate the situation a bit. I f the kiter looks over powered, maybe go a bit further downwind. That's what I usually do anyway.
Gabe Brown
sometimes Gary Bronson...
sometimes Gary Bronson...
Good Question
Most times, we try to stay away from windsurfers as well as other kiters, but there are times when paths have to cross.
This morning, I had to tack upwind thru what I call the "Boze-zone", you know-the area where everyone seems to cluster. I learned this term from my windsurfing days.
Although I had starboard tack, I yielded to no less than 4 windsurfers coming at me. No problem, I did it to be safe, making my intentions clear well in advance. I also did it because all of these sailors showed no early intention of yielding and were coming right at me. Being a day where getting upwind was easy, it was no biggie. I know it would cost them valuable upwind they tried to get.
However, as Gabe stated, starboard tack has the right of way, and whether you're on a windsurfer or kiteboard shouldn't matter. Assume starboard won't yield and act accordingly. There are a few things I know will help your understanding of kiters. I did not know these things as a windsurfer.
1. Nothing happens instantaneously for a kiter. We can't just drop our bar and expect everything to come to a stop. If well powered, it takes a little time to stop. Even if we wipe out. Especially if we wipe out. That said, Don't be downwind of a kiter that is about to eat it.
2. If you see a kite really low, or really high and the kiter is skipping out, it usually means we are way powered up. If you pinch the kiter off and force him off his tack, that instant of bearing off may be all it takes to overpower the kiter and all hell breaks loose. Again, don't be downwind.
3. The linesets are usually 27meters or about 100ft. If you yield and are going under, then give yourself at least 100ft-200ft. If the kiter seems well under control and raises his kite, then you can shorten the distance. Sorry about the lost ground you'll experience, we just take up a bit more room.
4. One thing you might do is if you're well into your tack, jibe and go the other way a bit. We'll be past you, upwind and out of your hair before you know it. I do this when I see another kiter coming at me.
5. Speed - Yes, for the most part kiting is slower than windsurfing, but unless you're on formula gear, most windsurfers won't achieve the upwind angle a kiter can. Eg. We go slower, but we can get upwind to our destination faster. This also means it's harder to pinch off a kiter because we achieve a higher upwind angle. Most windsurfers may not know this.
6. Usually, if you see a kiter going really slow and pinching upwind at extreme angles, it's an indication of being very powered up. Give them plenty of space. Being overpowered with a sail is a bit scary sometimes. On a kite, it can be downright terrifying.
It never fails to amaze me while windsurfing or kiting, how some folks on port always try to pinch you off. It's as if they are super reticent to give up that valuable upwind real estate they've gained.
Just don't do it at the expense of safety.
Thanks for asking - great question! :| :|
This morning, I had to tack upwind thru what I call the "Boze-zone", you know-the area where everyone seems to cluster. I learned this term from my windsurfing days.
Although I had starboard tack, I yielded to no less than 4 windsurfers coming at me. No problem, I did it to be safe, making my intentions clear well in advance. I also did it because all of these sailors showed no early intention of yielding and were coming right at me. Being a day where getting upwind was easy, it was no biggie. I know it would cost them valuable upwind they tried to get.
However, as Gabe stated, starboard tack has the right of way, and whether you're on a windsurfer or kiteboard shouldn't matter. Assume starboard won't yield and act accordingly. There are a few things I know will help your understanding of kiters. I did not know these things as a windsurfer.
1. Nothing happens instantaneously for a kiter. We can't just drop our bar and expect everything to come to a stop. If well powered, it takes a little time to stop. Even if we wipe out. Especially if we wipe out. That said, Don't be downwind of a kiter that is about to eat it.
2. If you see a kite really low, or really high and the kiter is skipping out, it usually means we are way powered up. If you pinch the kiter off and force him off his tack, that instant of bearing off may be all it takes to overpower the kiter and all hell breaks loose. Again, don't be downwind.
3. The linesets are usually 27meters or about 100ft. If you yield and are going under, then give yourself at least 100ft-200ft. If the kiter seems well under control and raises his kite, then you can shorten the distance. Sorry about the lost ground you'll experience, we just take up a bit more room.
4. One thing you might do is if you're well into your tack, jibe and go the other way a bit. We'll be past you, upwind and out of your hair before you know it. I do this when I see another kiter coming at me.
5. Speed - Yes, for the most part kiting is slower than windsurfing, but unless you're on formula gear, most windsurfers won't achieve the upwind angle a kiter can. Eg. We go slower, but we can get upwind to our destination faster. This also means it's harder to pinch off a kiter because we achieve a higher upwind angle. Most windsurfers may not know this.
6. Usually, if you see a kiter going really slow and pinching upwind at extreme angles, it's an indication of being very powered up. Give them plenty of space. Being overpowered with a sail is a bit scary sometimes. On a kite, it can be downright terrifying.
It never fails to amaze me while windsurfing or kiting, how some folks on port always try to pinch you off. It's as if they are super reticent to give up that valuable upwind real estate they've gained.
Just don't do it at the expense of safety.
Thanks for asking - great question! :| :|
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