Muppet Of The Day

Matt · 29 August 2022, 17:25

Muppet of the day award has to go to the yacht who tacked immediately in front of the 13:00 Fishbourne to Porstmouth ferry (St Clare) today. He causing the St Clare to have to come to an abrupt stop. Consequentially this also required the Victoria of Wight, which was lined up to pass astern of St Clare, to also have to take avoiding action to avoid both St Clare and this yacht.

All he needed to do was keep going on the tack he was on and pass behind the St Clare. Muppet.

GuyC · 29 August 2022, 17:51

I like the warning signs that flash up at the front of the ferry

Pikey Dave · 29 August 2022, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Muppet of the day award has to go to the yacht who tacked immediately in front of the 13:00 Fishbourne to Porstmouth ferry (St Clare) today. He causing the St Clare to have to come to an abrupt stop. Consequentially this also required the Victoria of Wight, which was lined up to pass astern of St Clare, to also have to take avoiding action to avoid both St Clare and this yacht.

All he needed to do was keep going on the tack he was on and pass behind the St Clare. Muppet.

Obviously not a muppet, as every WAFI knows, power gives way to sail, it’s their god given right.

I actually prefer Alfie Solomons’ philosophy when at sea…. “Big f**ks small”….never let me down yet.

Matt · 29 August 2022, 18:44

The irony of the "handbrake on" sign wasn't lost on me.

I'm not anti WAFI. I'm not anti anyone enjoying themselves on the water.
I've actually been a WAFI many times and would happily enjoy a day out on the water again in a yacht if the opportunity arose. In fact, the only open water sport I can think I've not done a bit of is the modern generation kite surfing/hydrofoil/parasail stuff. So live and let live is my philosophy.

Even saw some swimmers crossing the solent on saturday, escorted by a few canoes and ribs. Quite fancied going over to have a look and wish them good luck - but considered that if I was in their shoes, I'd prefer to be left alone to get on with it.

But I could see this all unfolding so obviously. We also saw one of the tugs going "MAX SPEED" (hull speed in this case) out to the aircraft carrier which has broken down.

Only other notable event was when another WAFI decided to try and squeeze himself between us on a rib and another hard boat. We were both sitting in neutral and drifting waiting to watch the start. If I hadn't gone hard astern there would have a (minor) collision. He was motor sailing, too. You know the sort, red trousers, deck shoes, ex British Airways Captain, now retired. Comb-over hair. As he passed he gave me "the look". Idiot.

Nevertheless, lovely to see lots of boats on the water. Was impressed how well the Shearwater 7.0 went in a bit of chop alongside much bigger/faster/more powerful stuff. It has very forgiving handling so was able to "keep up" quite nicely. In fact, on the return run from Cowes back to Gosport 4 boats left together. All the others had at least 100hp more than we did, but we left them behind. And bear in mind I had 2 young kids on board, so my driving "mode" was for optimal comfort & safety, not top speed. I quite like these shearwater cutters, great all round family boats.

(I'd still really like a Revenger 29 with twin 300's though......)

spartacus · 30 August 2022, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Only other notable event was when another WAFI decided to try and squeeze himself between us on a rib and another hard boat. We were both sitting in neutral and drifting waiting to watch the start. If I hadn't gone hard astern there would have a (minor) collision. He was motor sailing, too. You know the sort, red trousers, deck shoes, ex British Airways Captain, now retired. Comb-over hair. As he passed he gave me "the look". Idiot.

Bet he never had those problems when he was taxiiing his 737 at Düsseldorf. That’s what the ground crew are for!

Matt · 30 August 2022, 07:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Bet he never had those problems when he was taxiiing his 737 at Düsseldorf. That’s what the ground crew are for!

I would have bet he was longhaul - probably 767 to the the US or the middle east.

chriswjallen · 30 August 2022, 19:20

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a WAFI?!

GuyC · 30 August 2022, 22:00

Wind Assisted F'ing Idiot - a term of endearment for someone who sails on a yacht.

HDAV · 30 August 2022, 23:15

Was it fozzy? He was always my favourite!

Matt · 30 August 2022, 23:18

Fozzy Bear? Didn’t see him on the water this weekend.
This chap was more like Statler

gpsguru · 31 August 2022, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Obviously not a muppet, as every WAFI knows, power gives way to sail, it’s their god given right.

But not when power is a ferry or a large vessel flying ‘not under command’ flags.

Having said that, the WAFI’’s are still a bit above the intelligence level of the jet ski ‘s ! 🙄

Matt · 31 August 2022, 11:49

To be fair, when I use WAFI as a generic term including my friends who are sailors. They are definite WAFIs. It's why I didn't title the thread WAFI.

This "gentleman" could easily have been in any boat, it was the extreme lack of seamanship & judgement he showed that was the concern. If he'd been in a rib, jetski, canoe, whatever - he would still have received my derision.

But just wait until you hear what I've found out about the shenanigans from the CTC last weekend. I am just cross referencing some of the facts first, but it's a proper eye opener.