Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

[waterone1@aol.com]

While a-lot of post's have been made reguarding jet ski's behavior, and rights of fishermen. <br />Here is my question(s). What do boaters expect, I'm asking everyone (fishing boats, speed boats, etc.) when you stop or drop anchor in the middle of a channel or "sailing line" of a river ? Second question: When you are pulling a water skier, or tube and you pass and pull in front of another boat (closely) and continue on a straight line in front of them, what do you expect them to do ?

 

[achris]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

when you stop or drop anchor in the middle of a channel or "sailing line" of a river?

Actually illegal. I would expect the idiot to be run over!<br /><br />

Second question: When you are pulling a water skier, or tube and you pass and pull in front of another boat (closely) and continue on a straight line in front of them, what do you expect them to do ?

Again, illegal. I would expect the idiot to be spoken to, harshly!<br /><br />What's prompted the questions? You the perp or the vic?<br /><br />Chris.............

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

I asked the above questions because this has been a point of confrontation several times for me and others. While I think we all agree that close to shore and along inlets ,etc. no-wake should be adhered to, especially if there is a fishing boat present. My question is what do you do if you are on a river or other area that has a channel that it not a no wake zone, and someone has decided to anchor or tie up right in the middle of this ? I'm not talking about a large lake, where you can avoid them by 300 ft and still not be close to shore.<br />The second question is what do water skiers think you should do when they pass right in front of you and travel straight ahead of you, even if they are just barely going faster than you ? We all know about safety and avoiding collisions (we all have to do everything to avoid a collision).<br />Has thus ever happened to you ? what do you think ?

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Achris, I am trying to figure out where people get the idea that this is all fine. I boat on the Ohio River, this stuff happens all the time. And what really upsets me is that the ones that anchor in the middle of the river are the ones that get upset. The boaters that put their skiers right in front of me are the ones that don't understand why I get upset when I have to swerve or throw engines in reverse to stop from running over them.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Originally posted by waterone1:<br /> when you stop or drop anchor in the middle of a channel or "sailing line" of a river ?

I would think this would be considered a hazard by local authorities and they could be fined. Next time take down their numbers and report them.<br /><br />As far as skiiers and tubers being towed across a similar area or in front of you is just plain stupid and dangerous. It happens here all the time and we usually chaulk it up to idiots with no clue of safety or rules of the road and do our best to avoid hitting them. I'm not sure if there is a rule against it, but there certainly should be.<br /><br />I have no respect for those who put their passengers or those they tow at risk. Plain stupidity.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Never going to find common sense and courtesy in everyone. Boating safety and courtesly training should be mandatory.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Here in MN, similar experiences, although I don't go on rivers much. I like LadyFish's suggestions. Take down their numbers and report them.<br /><br />There are just some very uncurteous and plain ol stupid people out there, and unfortunately, some of them have boats. Look at the idiots you see on the road. It's simply a matter of disrespect for others IMO. Today's society is too concerned with themselves and not enough for others IMO. Me me me.<br /><br />I am also of the same opinion as NYMINUTE. Everyone should have to take a boating safety course so they cannot use the age old excuse "I didn't know". I find that being uninformed often goes hand in hand with disrespect.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Not so long ago, just the mention of the word Mandatory would've sent this board into a frenzy. But more and more it's becoming obvious that boating is like driving a car in that there are rules you need to follow. Car drivers require licenses. So should boaters. It shows that you have some knowledge of what you're doing. Most states consider that if you have a driver's license, you should know enough how to drive a boat too. NOT TRUE! Some similarities, but for the most part it's a whole new ballgame. Although training isn't mandatory in most places yet, sooner or later it will be.<br /><br />See my signature below...<br /><br />As far as the boater anchored in the channel, grab your cell phone and yell "There's a floating hazard in the middle of the river. I'm calling 911."

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Question 1: if anchored in a channel, I expect to get "waked"; just stay on plane as you pass rather than come off plane & make a big slow roller. I mostly fish lakes and the river channels usually have a mile or more on either side; 100 feet or so isn't too much to ask. In any case, if I'm in the middle of a commercial shipping lane, please please tell me before I get killed!<br /><br />Question 2: never tried this, but I guess I would expect them to try and avoid hitting my skier/tuber as they pull alongside to shoot me the finger.<br /><br />Good questions, but you're preaching to the choir. None of us iboaters would do anything so stupid!<br />

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

If I am pulling a tuber in a narrow river, I dont pass anyone unless they are going really slow.<br /><br />If I am sitting in the middle of a narrow river, I dont expect anyone to slow down for me, just give me as much room as they can.<br /><br />If I am sitting in the middle of a large lake, I expect everyone to give me plenty of room.<br /><br />Ken

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

Thanks for all of the answers. I was starting to wonder if it was just me, sadly it sounds like this thing is happening to others as well.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

I don't tube or pull skiers or anything like that. Just fish. On the big lake, jet skiers like to to jump the wake behind the boat as we go out of port. They can be a navigation hazard to those both coming and going. <br /><br />But unlike some of the bodies of water discussed here, where I go is patrolled regularly by the Coast Guard, CG Auxilery, and local Sheriff. Said jet skiers would be stopped and reprimanded. <br /><br />I've never seen a large craft harrassing a jet skier... but plenty of the opposite. And quite a few seem to be young in age... which often explains their childish behaviour.

 

[achris]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

I was starting to wonder if it was just me,

Not just you partner.... We have a similar problem here. We are entering the annual 'Professional lobster fishermen think they own the water' season. I find it absolutely infuriating that they think it's ok to put their traps down in a channel. My girlfriend and I like to go night diving (SCUBA) and to get ropes wrapped 'round the prop every 2 minutes is a serious problem. Not to mention the risk of drifting out of the channel while trying to cut these hazards off the prop, at night. It is illegal and I have been angry enough to report some of them, but they keep doing it.<br /><br />Waterone1, I share your frustration.<br /><br />WBW, here, here. Unfortunately if the average boater were to do an IQ test, they'd fail.<br /><br />Chris..............

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Boating Courtesy/ rules of road ?

i try to consider the limitations of the craft, <br />so as far as boats pulling skiers or tubes or downlines, i try to just adjust course and not dwell on it. i skiied alot when younger, but just fish now, and if skiiers come past me, angling in front (maybe to follow the channel), then i move over to one side. i even do it for jet skis, most of the time, although i think they should move out of the lane or maintain a good distance. <br /><br />i'm like jtexas & kenzoom considering anchored boats & wakes. many people fish deep ledges, which are often channel edges. so i stay on plane when passing, unless i'm within 100ft. i expect lots of waves & traffic when out in big water. and most of the time jetski's don't affect my fishing at all, unless they try to run between me & the bank when i'm within casting range of dirt, and there's lots of room behind me. you know, just common courtesy stuff.<br /><br />i've towed boats, canoes & jetskis in, so i guess we all got play nice to avoid these probs and i really don't mind jetski's jumping my wake, (skiiers do the same all the time)as long as its not in too heavy traffic, or too close to my boat.<br /><br />it seems like the worst distractions to my fishing are huge boats creating huge rollers, and wakeboarders, who do the same. they go just slow enough to create the maximum wake...<br /><br />but i can always go to the electric-only fishing lakes if i have to have calm water