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rbk · 08-10-2018, 23:05

I always have tunes going on the house stereo while sailing. It’s the least I can do to give them some warning we’re there.

B00B00 · 09-10-2018, 03:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Hit one once on a yacht doing 15 knots under kite in a rough sea. Luckily a glancing blow and no damage to the keel or rudder. Gave as a nasty fright and stopped the boat. There was lots of brown blood in water behind us and one crew throught he saw a young whale. A few other large sperm whales where nearby.

I can confirm this story as I was there too. Mid Tasman on our way over for the 94 hobart race. Spencer 45 called Whispers II smaller sister to ragtime.

**Jim Cate** · 09-10-2018, 03:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by B00B00

I can confirm this story as I was there too. Mid Tasman on our way over for the 94 hobart race. Spencer 45 called Whispers II smaller sister to ragtime.

Ahhh, you brothers always stick together in your tall tales!! But seriously, we've been closer than I liked to several whales during the past month here along the NSW and Q'land coasts. We seldom exceed 10 knots and that gives them some chance of avoiding us (I think) but much faster boats abound and one shudders at the thought of a Volvo boat or a maxi trimaran hitting one at 30 knots. A bad outcome for both whale and boat are very likely. And their numbers are clearly escalating, for each year we see more... it is very noticeable.

Jim