Dave wrote:
So the sail boat's insurance company doesn't like its chances of winning the
case in court, and wants to try it in the press instead. Why am I not
surprised?

Dave, do you really think the sailboat skipper had *ANY* culpability
in this accident?

A becalmed sailboat being run over by a powerboat going 40+ knots is
really not a case of remotely "equal blame" much less 100% the
sailboat's fault. The fact that the powerboater was a sheriff's deputy
who was not given a breathalyzer or blood test; and evidence of
ColRegs deemed inadmissable, and evidence on the sailboat's lights
being rejected by the DA (who is a freind of the deputy)... the whole
situation reeks.

DSK