One for our Yottie Friends!

[Broadsword]

I can't argue with your anecdote; but as I say, we can all testify to numpties on the water, that is not the point. The point is, there are reasons why yachtsmen do certain things - they don't all do it simply to annoy. I am sure you are not alone in your opinion of the enjoyment or otherwise of river sailing, but there are many, very many who find it a great joy and delight. I can't comment on racing yachts, it's not my thing and I have (occasionally) had similar frustrating experiences.

A running yacht will use the river to best advantage, sometimes holding a particular course to avoid, or initiate a gybe, or to avoid the risk of a gybing boom hitting other boats. The helm is not choosing a 'side' of the river and is not obliged by the passing port-to-port rule. The more I read this sort of thread, the more it underlines my earlier point that there is very little grasp of either colregs or bye-laws among our contributors.

So... from the bye-laws...

The master of a power-driven or manually propelled vessel

proceeding along a channel shall when it is safe and practicable

to do so keep to the side of mid channel which lies on the

starboard or right hand side of the vessel. My note: This does not apply to a vessel under sail

When two vessels, whether power-driven or manually

propelled, are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal

courses so as to involve risk of collision the master of each

vessel shall if it is safe and practicable to do so alter the course

of his vessel to starboard so that each vessel shall pass on the

port side of the other. My note: As above

Further...

The master of a vessel which is obliged to keep out of the

way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and

substantial action to keep well clear.

Honestly, the bye-laws are worth a read... and would if understood and applied, keep this kind of problem to a minimum.