Yesterday at Mt. Laurel, we had 18 boats show up for a club race. (
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
). We split the fleet into three groups of six so there would be 12 boats on the line for each race. Those early to the line would jam up the rest of the fleet causing collisions among at least most of the starters. With that, I tried to be in a spot of least resistance well leeward of the traffic jam and was able to avoid the mess (most times). Unfortunately, that puts me in a lousy position because I don't want be one of the guys trying to figure out who is wrong.
I think when the RD's start recalling the fleet, they will get the message to stop the insanity.Smaller boats will bounce off each other but with a 12, some real damage can result. I know most of the guys with J's would not dare to do that so why do it with a 12 meter?
It's getting frustrating. Racehorse starts don't work and the casual observer thinks that the racers have no clue in what they are doing (it's true
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
). Timing your start to have boat speed at the bell works. Even if you are a few seconds late.