Bobsprit,

Good on you for being polite and allowing boats to exit while you wait for them to clear. However, politeness and consideration
have no bearing on the law.

First off, to clear up some obvious confusion, there is no such thing as a vessel constrained by draft in inland waters or the
Inland Rules. This designation is for the International Rules only. Since both vessels were operating under machinery you are
consider by the Rules as motorboats and need to follow the rules concerning motor boats meeting head to head.

Since there is room for two vessels to pass in the channel, according to the rules you should
steer your vessel so you and the oncoming vessel pass port side to port side. If any doubt or danger exists as to the course of
the oncoming vessel you may sound the appropriate danger or doubt signal. At any rate, both vessels should reduce their speed to
bare steerageway and proceed with caution.

Have pity on the poor guy. He did nothing wrong yet you chastised him. Had it been me
I would have jumped aboard your vessel, grabbed the prettiest girl and had my way with her as recompense for your abuse.

To answer your question you did NOT have the right of way. You were NOT the stand-on vessel. Perhaps you should review the Rules
lesson on my World's Famous Novice Lessons at my beyond compare website.


"Bobsprit" wrote in message ...

Like many clubs and marinas, mine is protected by a large set of breakwaters.
There is a single entrance/exit for each of the North/South clubs.
When re-entering the club, I will always give way to any boat attempting to
leave. They simply have fewer steerage options in the center channel, while I
have 360 degrees of options. I circle away until the exiting boat is clear.
A few days ago a sailboat was coming up on the breakwater while I was
attempting to leave, both of us under power and both equal distance from the
entrance/exit. Seeing that the other boat had no intention of giving way, I
slowed and held position. I let him know what a dickhead he was, but he
appeared confused. To me it seemed like common sense. Give way to the exiting
boat as he's far more limited.
Everyone I asked agreed that I had the right of way. Is there a "rule" for
this? Who had the right of way?

Capt RB