Sydney Harbour: Sailors slam power boat drivers after capsizing

There’s trouble brewing on Sydney Harbour after a champion sailor was tossed into the water following an encounter with a power boat. See the video.

Power boats are causing chaos on Sydney Harbour with one speed demon capsizing an elderly champion sailor last weekend.

Veteran 18-foot champion John “Woody’’ Winning was tossed into the water when a passing power boat ripped past him on Sunday.

Sailors are now calling for better education for boaties as Sydney Harbour becomes increasingly congested.

The boating industry boomed during Covid and there are now more rookies and power boats on the water than ever before.

John Winning (left) was tossed into the water. Picture: John Appleyard

“It was bloody awful,” Winning said. “We refer to them as Rodney Dangerfields. It’s like a scene out of Caddyshack some days,” he said, referring to a scene in the cult movie where the out-of-control actor causes chaos on the water.

“It’s been happening for a long time but it’s getting worse and there are more of them out since Covid.”

Winning, who has been on the water for more than 50 years, recalled the spectacular capsizing while racing his Yandoo skiff on Sunday.

John Winning and his crew crashing after hitting the wake.

He was out with crewmate Mike Kennedy and Fang Warren when they were tossed from their skiff and into the water when it cartwheeled after hitting two sets of wake left by a passing power.

Luckily nobody was injured.

While ferries rule the harbour and have right of way, power boats or vessels under motor must give way to those under sail.

The aftermath

While they must have a boat licence, their lack of experience and knowledge of the effect their wake has on sailing craft, fishing boats and kayaks is casing grief.

Racing on the famous 18-foot skiffs is held almost every weekend over summer.

Winning and respected Sydney to Hobart racer Peter Shipway, claim power boat drivers tend not to understand the etiquette – or dangerous ramifications – of leaving a massive wake behind them.

“It’s just a lack of courtesy really,” Shipway said. “The power boat owners are not yachties and have no conception of going behind a boat, not in front of them.

“They are ploughing through and have no conception of the damage they can cause.

“The wake can hurtle crews out and send yachts crashing around. They push a wave likes it’s Bondi Beach.’’

Shipway said new drivers understanding the etiquette and impact of their boats could alleviate the problem as the Harbour becomes increasingly congested due to the upcoming Sydney to Hobart race.

The lead-up to the Sydney to Hobart will see more boats than ever on the Harbour.

“It’s about the etiquette on the water. They just don’t understand,’’ he said.

“They just get out there and go at a millions miles and hour.

“Woody (Winning) had to go through the wave coming on and then caught up to the wave going away so he had double trouble.

“If the boat had just slowed and gone behind him it would have not been an issue.”

Winning agreed further education was needed.

“I don’t think they do it on purpose but they need to be made aware,’’ he said.

“We don’t own the harbour but there is a lack of understanding about the carnage they can create.

“It’s not just us either. It’s yachts and kayaks and other affected.’’

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Sydney Harbour: Sailors slam power boat drivers after capsizing