DRIVING THE BOAT

[DWT]

Driving the Boat

In the February Sail Magazine there is an article"Worlds Fastest Monohullers". Cool article about sailing fast, 24.85 knots average but, the author refers to "conditions that made driving terrifying".

Is the word "driving" properly use in sailing a boat?

[markpj23]

At nearly 25 knots I'd call that "driving" all right..... Driving into the seas, driving forward, driving into oblivion.....

On a cat of course they just call that "cruising".....

[DWT]

Thanks Mark, but I remember one of the first time sailing I had asked if I could drive the boat and got my butt chewed out for saying that. It is the reason I asked about the word and I got to say this, it does not sound right. Steer, take the helm, take the rudder all fit better on a sailboat.

[rodney_k]

Driving the boat, boat driver, etc., pretty common around the racing scene. As in:

Skipper: "Where's the next mark?"
Tactician: "Shut up and drive!"
Rail Meat: "Shut up and drive!"
Pit: "Shut up and drive!"
Foredeck: "We need a bigger chute & more beer!"

Don't ask me how I know this.

[Bash]

..."Why do so many uptight boaters try to suck the joy out of sailing?"

Back to the original question: the anal-retentive response would be, "The sails drive the boat, the helmsman merely steers." This response rates one notch higher on the tedium scale than the insistence that ropes on boats can only be called "lines."

Conversely, we must always insist that the kitchen is a galley, the toilet is a head, and the flag thingy on the stern is an ensign.

It's best, of course, if these corrections are screamed at the newby. We don't want the uninitiated to get the idea that sailing is actually fun.

[Soundbounder]

"Piloted" is sometimes used when under power.

Also, the same is true with an airplane, ...... one doesn't drive an airplane.

[MidLandOne]

Originally Posted by Bash

..."Why do so many uptight boaters try to suck the joy out of sailing?"

Back to the original question: the anal-retentive response would be, "The sails drive the boat, the helmsman merely steers." This response rates one notch higher on the tedium scale than the insistence that ropes on boats can only be called "lines."

Conversely, we must always insist that the kitchen is a galley, the toilet is a head, and the flag thingy on the stern is an ensign.

It's best, of course, if these corrections are screamed at the newby. We don't want the uninitiated to get the idea that sailing is actually fun.

Come on, we have to show how clever we are by using the "right" names for everything .

However, among commercial vessels and boatbuilders in a number of countries where I have been involved with them it tends very much to be windows, bathroom, toilet, rope, etc and even often kitchen with them and among the crews (my experience is mostly with powered boat professional crews) they often refer to driving the boat.

I fit in with them in case I give the impression that I am am some sort of old fuddy-duddy .

On our own sail boat we drive mostly .

[S/V Illusion]

As a Quartermaster in the CG, we always referred to it as the driver or driving the boat. Sounds to me like some people think they are impressing the rest of us with their boat terminology.

[rodney_k]

Originally Posted by Soundbounder

"Piloted" is sometimes used when under power.

Also, the same is true with an airplane, ...... one doesn't drive an airplane.

Interesting. I know more than a few airline pilots that call themselves "airplane drivers" when asked about their profession.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Soundbounder

"Piloted" is sometimes used when under power.

Also, the same is true with an airplane, ...... one doesn't drive an airplane.

My son often refers to what he does as "driving jets".
Guess he just doesn't understand...

[Soundbounder]

Originally Posted by rodney_k

Interesting. I know more than a few airline pilots that call themselves "airplane drivers" when asked about their profession.

I have never heard that before.
I learn new things on here everyday.

[Soundbounder]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

My son often refers to what he does as "driving jets".
Guess he just doesn't understand...

I am certainly not going to invite him on my boat.
Seriously though, I have never heard the word "drive" used by pilots.

[Joli]

It really doesn't matter unless the situation calls for proper terminology. If you are racing you're gonna have a charlie foxtrot if you call sheets, halyards, and other contlrol lines "rope".

[Boomp]

I'm a relative newby w sailing and have been around motorboats forever...I try like crazy to use the correct terminology but suspect I'm not alone when 'timeing is crucial' and I say "Left!" or "Turn Right!" when that other craft gets too close. Saying Port or Starboard could be dangerous. Of course the times being what they are, where hats are worn backwards, opening doors for ladies might be offensive, and foul language has made it on to TV and radio, maybe we'd better hold on to the mariners expressions with jealousy or risk losing it. AND I suspect this conversational manner of striving to sau the correct terms will be used again...forever. My wife 'drives the boat' and I 'take the helm'.