Stand on vessel?

[StuM]

A couple of boat lengths is the difference between a hit and a miss

[markpierce]

Not unusual sailboats make sudden course changes when they are obliged to maintain course as the privileged boat, creating a collision situation. On the other hand, fast boats create difficulty in trying to avoid same.

Motoring at six knots and swiveling eyes have lots of advantage.

[rognvald]

There is no such thing as a "stand on" vessel in a real world of sailing goons and powerboat cretins. We never assume the other vessel sees us and we never assume they know the rules of the road. Although the sailboat captain may have had the right of way, I would give him much of the blame for, perhaps, assuming the powerboat saw him or even knew he was there. We once were sailing in lumpy conditions on Lake Michigan under spinnaker when a 50-foot Searay at a high rate of speed was on a collision path with our 25 footer. As he approached, we had to quickly jibe the boat to avoid a collision. There was no one at the helm. It was on autopilot. Good luck and safe sailing. Rognvald