I don't think anyone is suggesting that the COLREGS give the privileged vessel the right to cause a collision by maintaining her course. In fact, the prudence you express below is stated in the COLREGS Rule 2(b), 17(a)ii, and 17(b). Every boat is expected to deviate from the rules if it can prevent collision by doing so.
The question is, if a sailboat e-motor-sailing on a starboard tack meets a sailboat sailing on a port tack (or any other meeting situation where the rules between sailboats would apply), the sailboat on a port tack expects to change her own course and expects that the sailboat on the starboard tack will hold her course. Although etiquette plays a role here, the more important point is to avoid both boats maneuvering and finding themselves on a new collision course.
If you are motorsailing without displaying the upside-down cone, you are already in violation of the rules. You might as well act like the sailboat you look like, so that you are predictable to other skippers who are trying to figure out what you are going to do.
I'm not trying to start (or keep going) a fight, but I think the question is worth discussing. It seems to me that electric sailboats intending to meet their obligations as a burdened power vessel while displaying sails properly trimmed need to invest in the day shape. Alternatively, I guess you could execute a maneuver that demonstrated that you were under power, like steaming into the wind and luffing your sails, but that seems to defeat the purpose of motorsailing.
In any case, what the other skipper thinks you are is more important that what you think you are, or what you really are.
Still curious how those who actually meet these situations handle them.
Paul
PS I sail the Chesapeake out of Annapolis...it's pretty crowded on a nice day, but the sailboats all seem to know who is supposed to stay her course and who is expected to give. I don't pay much mind to pleasure powerboats, with the relative speed advantage I am more like a buoy than a boat to them, and if one actually got CBDR on me I would think he was trying to hit me.
PPS Also, are electrically-driven powerboats still called "stinkpots"?
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Kevin & Alycia" <ak@...> wrote:
>
> I don't know much about where you all sail, but I know that most of the
> stinkpot drivers around here have no concept of the "rules." I simply treat
> every vessel as if they have the right of way (they usually think they doJ
> ), I find it much safer. I'm not willing to jeopardize the safety of my
> boat, my crew or myself to prove a point.
>
>
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
>
>
> From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of Sally Reuther
> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 5:25 PM
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] sailing rules
>
>
>
>
>
> If you have your engine, be it diesel or electric running and turning the
> prop, then you are considered a power vessel even if your sails are up.
> That is because you can conceivably maneuver more easily with the engine
> than with the sails. I know that the rules for transiting the C&D Canal
> between Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay state that you may motor sail, but
> you may not sail. That is to ensure that you can get out of the way/have
> control when meeting or being passed by the large ships which transit that
> canal.
>
> On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 11:58 AM, larry <pfister.l@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> recently there has been a lot of discussion about sailing with the motor
> running.
>
> Does anyone know where do we stand with the navigation rules, are we power
> or sail?
> from
>
> "RULE 3
> General Definitions
> For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise
> requires:
> (a) The word "Vessel" includes every description of water craft,
> including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of
> being used as a means of transportation on water.
> (b) The term "Power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by
> machinery.
> (c) The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided
> that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used."
>
> is there something out there that covers us or are we power boats?
>
>
>
>
>
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