OK, its time for a new thread on Good Sportsmanship in Racing. This includes, by my personal definition, being responsible enough to pay for damage to another sailor's boat when one is responsible. I am now owed for two material damage boat repairs (holes) by racers who attend events regularly, like they were both there last weekend at Tradewinds. Not a penny has appeared, despite exchanged addresses and what I thought were promises to do so.

So, this problem is appearing to grow. In speaking to the I-20 victim at Neptunes last weekend...who was sitting still before the start on port. An A-cat some distance away was bumped or disturbed by another boat...while distracted (and yelling) and paying attention to that perpetrator, said A-cat took off on starboard--whango-- T-bones into the inside of the port hull 6 feet back from the bow. Result was a 12 inch puncture. This A-cat owner seemed not to feel responsible.

NOW- who pays?

Very sadly, I see a current problem of poor sportsmanship being exhibited at otherwise excellent venues attended by active Florida sailors. This is a third example, if the A-cat guy doesn't own up and pay up.
For a fourth, my former crew was racing his Hobie 18M on starboard at Davis Island, when, 150 meters up from the C mark, a Hobie 20 continued on port in front of the 18M despite hailing, resulting in both bows of the 18M being crunched. This offending sailor now aims a I20, and I guess, thinks the event described above was a big joke.
A fifth recent episode is posted today on 1DesignNet.

What the hey is going on here?
What happened to good sportsmanship? In its apparent absence, is public trashing of offenders now necessary?
Where and when- on the net? Just before regattas, by loud announcements in public?
Calling their parents?
Small claims court? Jeez!
I want to have a good time doing this sport.
I hit someone once- 5 years ago at Tradewinds- and paid up, since it was my fault.

Comments welcome.
Dave Carlson