<<
Out of interest Declan, how on earth can fishermen get in the way of
sailing
boats any more than sailing boats get in the way of fishermen?>>

1. Safety rules on water----things with motors (ie small boats with
fishermen on board)  are supposed to give way to things without motors (ie
big fast things with even bigger sails and frustrated boy racers on board
eg Declan on a Hobie 16)
2. Most people who go out on fast cats have a reasonable knowledge of
sailing, of safety and are able to handle the things quite well. Those who
can't handle cats well generally don't get too far before they capsize and
have to be helped.
3. Most of the fishermen I have seen on Lough Erne in small boats haven't a
clue about sailing or safety rules---eg no lifejackets by and large.   They
will do stupid things like up and sail right across your bows when aiming
to tack close to shore with result that you don't tack because you are
concerned about their safety (don't want to ram them) and you end them
stalled and drifting onto rocks.  OK worst case scenario and could be
avoided by giving them a VERY WIDE BERTH indeed but I have been there.
I have also been rammed (in  a GP14) by four idiots in a fast ski-boat who
certainly saw me and had no excuse whatsoever for hitting me----just buck
stupid open 'er up and do a 360 without looking. 
4. Basically I don't see why fishermen who maybe spend more time on the
water than I do can get away with ignoring safety rules and general
courtesy and care for other people on the water.

I don't mind canoeists at all but I hate powerboats, esp when they ignore
speed limit signs.
Declan


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