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Old 09-05-2017, 08:52   #166
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

Yes. Let's.

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Old 09-05-2017, 09:42   #167
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

any post continuing the off topic discussion will be removed.
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Old 09-05-2017, 11:29   #168
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

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Old 09-05-2017, 12:26   #169
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pirate Re: Why is sailing so formal?

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Originally Posted by etterridge View Post
The word 'sailing' may be a little bit technical. In future let's just call it ' travelling g in a boat that uses pieces of cloth to propell it'.

That should make things a lot simpler for the newbies, lest we overwhelm them with all of those ridiculous technicalities.
Get it right mate.. its 'Stick and Rag'...
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Old 09-05-2017, 13:27   #170
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

It's not a formality really. Boats have their own parts that are unlike anything found on land. Therefore they need their own names that clearly define those parts. It's very analogous to aviation where aircraft have names for their parts that are unlike anything else such as ailerons, flaps, artificial horizons, pitot tubes, landing gear etc.
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Old 10-05-2017, 03:51   #171
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

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Get it right mate.. its 'Stick and Rag'...
I like the cut of your jib
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Old 10-05-2017, 04:31   #172
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

While you don't need a lot of formal language puttering around on the lake with your 21ft sailboat, anyone in command of a large ocean-going crewed vessel has a lot of responsibility, for the vessel and all who sail in her. Discipline and formality help avoid sloppy dangerous practices and ensure people know what to do when a squall hits at 3 am.
The poster who talked about avoiding jargon while out with his buddies on the lake knocking back beers is exactly the reason we need such formality.
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Old 10-05-2017, 05:02   #173
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

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The poster who talked about avoiding jargon while out with his buddies on the lake knocking back beers is exactly the reason we need such formality.

That was me, and while I do enjoy a cold beverage during a relaxing slow sail, I am by far the worst of your worries in our area. I've taken my boater safety courses, I follow the navigational rules, I watch my depths and gps, there is always lifejackets easily accessible and everyone knows where they are if they choose not to wear one, and my passengers comfort and safety are always my first concern.

Now the spring breakers on their dads cigarette boats and jet skis... THOSE are the ones you have to worry about.



This conversation has gone way left, way right, and everywhere in between, so I'm going to bow out. It wasn't my intention to start any kind of arguments. A few people understood my question for what it was, others didn't, and some didn't care, but that's ok because it's what makes the world non-monotonous.

Let's go sailing.
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Old 10-05-2017, 09:38   #174
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

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Why is everything in sailing so formal? Everything from the techniques to the names of various items.

Is it just held over from the old days? Are other boating sports just as formal? I mean, I've never heard of power boats say they were tacking.

It's just an observation that I've made and wondered about. I didn't know if was just something that carried over through the years, or if it was mostly a safety thing, or what.
hi, the language is formal so that when the captain gives an order it cant be misunderstood for example, if you said left it could be your left or the person saying it , port is always the boats left whatever way you are facing. you can sail upwind without tacking if you can reach, your destination, zigzaging is when you cant do it on one tack, a tack is just sailing to windward can be port or starboard. hope that helps
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Old 09-06-2017, 16:17   #175
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

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Originally Posted by TooCoys View Post
Why is everything in sailing so formal? Everything from the techniques to the names of various items.

Is it just held over from the old days? Are other boating sports just as formal? I mean, I've never heard of power boats say they were tacking.

It's just an observation that I've made and wondered about. I didn't know if was just something that carried over through the years, or if it was mostly a safety thing, or what.


I COMPLETELY AND T-TOTALLY TAKE THIS COMMENT BACK, and now realize how out of turn I was speaking when originally posting this.

While the jargon in sailing *IS* quite formal, now I realize why and the necessity. We went out on a friends racing rigged boat and sailed in the bay, and then ended up sailing back through the channel and all the way back into the creek. We had to tack repeatedly through the channel and the creek, and after the first few tacks I realized why it was necessary. There was a fine line when timing a tack to keep the forward momentum. Any deviation in that timing resulted in a loss of speed and sometimes a loss of steerage when you're only doing 1 knot or less.

When you're in a tight channel like we were, and "beating into the wind", things like "yall ready to turn", and "pull that rope" just wouldn't cut it.

All of the "Ready about", "Ready", "Hard Alee", and "Let go and haul!", really were about timing and listening to who was doing what, and I completely realize that now.

And also, now I REALLY wish I hadn't thrown out those 6 pairs of sailing gloves that came with my boat that I thought I'd never need!!!
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Old 09-06-2017, 16:23   #176
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

"There is more joy in heaven.... :-0)!

Good on ye, TooCoys!

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Old 11-06-2017, 21:08   #177
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

Aye, now you can keep your boat shipshape and Bristol fashion.
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Old 11-06-2017, 21:31   #178
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

I had to laugh.... I kept thinking of the movie "The Princess Bride" where Mandy Patinkin says, "He's gaining on us. I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using?" and Wallace Shawn responds with sailing commands "move the thing, and that other thing!"
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Old 11-06-2017, 22:06   #179
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

Hahaha. I had completely forgotten that scene.
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:37   #180
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Re: Why is sailing so formal?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TooCoys View Post
I COMPLETELY AND T-TOTALLY TAKE THIS COMMENT BACK, and now realize how out of turn I was speaking when originally posting this.

While the jargon in sailing *IS* quite formal, now I realize why and the necessity. We went out on a friends racing rigged boat and sailed in the bay, and then ended up sailing back through the channel and all the way back into the creek. We had to tack repeatedly through the channel and the creek, and after the first few tacks I realized why it was necessary. There was a fine line when timing a tack to keep the forward momentum. Any deviation in that timing resulted in a loss of speed and sometimes a loss of steerage when you're only doing 1 knot or less.

When you're in a tight channel like we were, and "beating into the wind", things like "yall ready to turn", and "pull that rope" just wouldn't cut it.

All of the "Ready about", "Ready", "Hard Alee", and "Let go and haul!", really were about timing and listening to who was doing what, and I completely realize that now.

And also, now I REALLY wish I hadn't thrown out those 6 pairs of sailing gloves that came with my boat that I thought I'd never need!!!
It's always good to learn new skills but learning a new language at the same time is even better
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