I was at AMS about a month ago and got talking to a retired English gentleman, we spoke at great length about aircraft , as one would , and to my surprise he admitted to being a boat spotter. Has anyone else heard of anybody with this hobby, or indeed does anybody on the forum actually do this as a hobby???
sober at last
Dave
By: mixtec - 1st November 2002 at 17:31
RE: Boats!!
I have an interest in sailing yachts and yacht racing. I dont really care as to whether or not someone would refer to my interest as “spotting”, whatever terminology someone uses makes no difference to me. I have to say I dont like yacht design in the past 10 years or so as it has been completely dominated by Bruce Farr. Hes know for ultra light “dingy” yachts which are overly sensitve and in my opinon unseaworthy. Farr was given charge to head the IMS rating fomula, so basically every IMS racing yacht built today has to conform to his stupid design concept. He also designed the formula used in the volvo round the world race (formerly whitbread), and you can tell by the drastic changes that were made between the yachts that raced in 94 to those in 98, that the reality of the southern ocean forced him to abandon his wide skimming designs for a more conventional narrower deeper displaced designs. In my opinion the best racing formula today is the IACC (americas cup class) is the ultimate in the history of yacht racing, the last americas cup challange in the heavy NZ conditions bringing a level of racing never before seen by mankind. You have to be carefull when buying a cruising yacht nowadays as many builders try to emulate current racing trends and creat boats that are really tender and sqirrly.
By: Saab 2000 - 1st November 2002 at 08:29
RE: Boats!!
Dcfly,I just watch.The ships tend not to have registrations on them, only the yachts so it can be rather tedious taking them down!I take pictures sometimes but then again what is the point when i’m likely to see that boat again?Its not at all like an airport,it’s quite predictable.
By: dcfly - 31st October 2002 at 16:28
RE: Boats!!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-10-02 AT 04:29 PM (GMT)]Saab
Do you log the ships that you’ve seen and/or take photos, or just ….watch??
Sober at last
Dave
By: Saab 2000 - 31st October 2002 at 16:14
RE: Boats!!
Yes I do partake in this hobby. Although ports will never have the same lively action as an airport, I do find watching the boats an interesting pastime.
In Guernsey we have quite a small yet busy harbour with ferries to Poole, Weymouth, Portsmouth, St.Malo, Granville, Jersey, Herm and Sark. Most of the boats are hydrofoils although the conventional ships and catamarans of Condor, Emeraud and Commodore come in to the daily. We also see sometimes the likes of Brittany Ferries and in the summer many cruise ships.
It is fascinating to watch all the boats going out. On a calm day it is also very relaxing to watch the going out and on a blustery day a laugh to watch them getting battered by the sea!
I’m not too interested in yachts, however, saying that it is fantastic travelling on them going around the bays. Rather peaceful and tranquil.
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October 31, 2002 at 3:53 pm