what to do when?

[john v]

i revisit this article every couple of years
what to do when you accidently hit a dead boat?, we have all done it and dont like to talk about it but it happens
its a long walk to the pits to talk to the driver of the boat you just hit and its a lousey feeling but a nessasary one.
what do you say, the first thing i usually hear is, where was your pitman?
i personally have not hit another boat in years but can remember the walk
i will try to calm the other driver down by first apologize about the incident and offer to repair or replace his equipment, i even once loaned the other driver my repaired boat to finish off the day with, at the end of the race we were both shaking hands and joking about it.
hopefully we can have racers chime in and give some feedback on this subject

 

[Al Hobbs]

If you are a racer, you have hit dead boats. And, you have had your boat hit as well.

It happens and will continue to happen as time goes on.

Always apologise. Even if the boat is painted a dark color and sitting in a shady area, apologise if you hit it.

No one wants to hit a dead boat. Both boats can be terribly damaged.

Apologise. Try to help the person get that boat ready for the next race.

If it is your boat the is hit, accept the apology gracefully. It isn't as if you've never damaged somebody else's boat.

 

[john v]

well said al,

 

[Roxyflash]

I was at a internet’s race one of the first race I attended.I was coming down the straight and caught a wake pushed my into Ernie’s boat and took him out.I really felt horrible as I took him out of a U.S. one .Went over apologizing to him as I was a green horn.Didn’t do no real damage but it happened.Was able to ask him a few questions otherwise would not have bothered him .Super nice guy true champion.

 

[john v]

i was running lsg 27 mono at the nationals in evansville and at the start of the race i washed down al waters, finished the race at went to the cd stand and told them i was the one who took out al, they said they didnt see it, went over to al's pits and told him i was the one who washed him down and he said he didnt see it!, wound up having a nice conversation with a great racer. awesome guy