Boating Etiquette 101

[rlb2252]

Boating etiquette 101

I went out on the river a few weeks back, checking out a boat buying prospect. Had a great time. Folks were out indulging in all manner of river activities, from fishing to tubing to just cruising down the water.

What I noticed was how friendly everyone was. Each boat we passed resulted in a huge wave hello?sometimes from everybody on board.

What?s the standard for this? Are you expected to greet every boat as it goes by in the opposite direction or even when you over take another craft?

Is it considered bad form to pretend you don?t see the other boaters? Do you get tired of waving like an imbecile at total strangers just because they happen to be involved in the same activity?

Do you greet everybody even when you?ve had a horrible day?the fish aren?t biting, you accidentally dumped your beer overboard, and that strange rattle you hear from the engine compartment might be your lower unit preparing to seize-up again?

 

[ckone0814]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Come to friendly Pennsylvania...NOT! Seems like less than half the boats I pass wave and the ones that do are begrudgingly waving only because I did.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

I always wave, and can't recall more than a time or two when I didn't get a positive response.

All sorts of unexpected things can happen out on the water. I'd like to think that I was surrounded by a friendly and helpful group of folks if things ever got dicey. I think that this overwhelmingly the case.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

I was always taught to wave at passing boaters... guess it just stems from general courtesy... Not really sure why we do it though, but like all things, it seems to be something of the past... (like knowing who your neighbors are).

I still wave to every boat I see, but less people are waving back as they pass by these days... but the ones that do, seem happy to do so rather than do it begrudgingly.

It just always seemed to be different when you are on the water, its not like you wave at every car that you pass on the interstate... but I think its one of the "traditions" that we should try and uphold, because, boaters should just be nice!

As for actual "rules" regarding "etiquette" on the water, I don't think there are any, its more of a generally understood principle.

As for passing up a slower boat, I usually give them a nod instead of a wave, kind of thanking them for letting me get by.

 

[KDMatt]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

I always wave, and can't recall more than a time or two when I didn't get a positive response.

All sorts of unexpected things can happen out on the water. I'd like to think that I was surrounded by a friendly and helpful group of folks if things ever got dicey. I think that this overwhelmingly the case.

It's standard practice out here in Minnesota, especially when you're on inter-lake channels. We have "Minnesota Nice" on the roads year round ... when you remove the snow and put us out on lakes for the three nice months we get, you'd better believe we're in a good mood!

... Now in terms of unexpected things, we once had our engine overheat in the middle of an ENORMOUS lake, but some nice folks came by, hooked up a ski-rope, and towed us in to the channel just because we waved to them!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Boating etiquette 101

I went out on the river a few weeks back, checking out a boat buying prospect. Had a great time. Folks were out indulging in all manner of river activities, from fishing to tubing to just cruising down the water.

What I noticed was how friendly everyone was. Each boat we passed resulted in a huge wave hello?sometimes from everybody on board.

What?s the standard for this? Are you expected to greet every boat as it goes by in the opposite direction or even when you over take another craft?

Is it considered bad form to pretend you don?t see the other boaters? Do you get tired of waving like an imbecile at total strangers just because they happen to be involved in the same activity?

Do you greet everybody even when you?ve had a horrible day?the fish aren?t biting, you accidentally dumped your beer overboard, and that strange rattle you hear from the engine compartment might be your lower unit preparing to seize-up again?

HELL YES
Course i live in TEXAS

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Where we boat, EVERYBODY waves !!!!!!!

 

[Crack of Dawn]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

I guess it may be related to where you're boating. I live on the Alabama Gulf Coast and my guess is 90% of the people wave. Even if they're on a dock they wave.

For us, I guess we don't think of waving as a chore. Face it... even the worst day on the boat when the fish aren't biting is better than being at work or doing yard work. I think it's also a way of showing a little respect to those that have a common interest. Ever notice when a biker passes another biker... they have a low wave, arm pointed down towards the ground.... just acknowledging a fellow biker with a little respect.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Yup, ya gotta wave, some people really get into it.

I usually just pop up a peace sign so I did something, I also ride bicycles which involve some manner of greating and a motorcycle, the motorcycle people aren't nearly as nice as boat people though, don't know what is wrong with the Harley guys, always look like they are sitting on a course file or something.

 

[Beeched]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Waving is always meant as a friendly greeting.

It serves another purpose too. Have you ever noticed how many times someone has said "I didn't see them" right after they run over you. If you wave and get a response, they have seen you and know where you are and what you are doing. When you don't get a response, I steer a wider berth to make sure there is no problem. Use the same idea when driving on the streets and 2 lane hiways.

Besides Wyoming is friendly a stranger is a friend we have never met.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Yup, here in CT people wave as well, I like it

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Wave, even if some don't wave back. Acknowledging others sends a subliminal message that will reap rewards when in trouble. Others are more apt to render assistance, even those that don't wave.

Wave to your neighbor while your at it. Even if your neighborhood doesn't socialize with each other. Same subliminal message. The will be more familiar with you in the end.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

I always wave..I always have gotten a wave back....
Amazing...beautiful women in bikini's waving at me out on the water..on land, NOTHING! lol

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Waving is always meant as a friendly greeting.

It serves another purpose too. Have you ever noticed how many times someone has said "I didn't see them" right after they run over you. If you wave and get a response, they have seen you and know where you are and what you are doing. When you don't get a response, I steer a wider berth to make sure there is no problem. Use the same idea when driving on the streets and 2 lane hiways.

Besides Wyoming is friendly a stranger is a friend we have never met.

My wife and I have a wood burned plaque in our house that reads, "There are no strangers here, only friends you have not met"

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

if you don't want to be friendly don't go out in public it's just simply polite and courteous

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

I always wave..I always have gotten a wave back....
Amazing...beautiful women in bikini's waving at me out on the water..on land, NOTHING! lol

Thats a big plus too

 

[tnduc]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Boating etiquette 101
What?s the standard for this? Are you expected to greet every boat as it goes by in the opposite direction or even when you over take another craft?

Is it considered bad form to pretend you don?t see the other boaters? Do you get tired of waving like an imbecile at total strangers just because they happen to be involved in the same activity?

Do you greet everybody even when you?ve had a horrible day?the fish aren?t biting, you accidentally dumped your beer overboard, and that strange rattle you hear from the engine compartment might be your lower unit preparing to seize-up again?

Yep- we wave at everyone. AND- there is no such thing as a horrible day on the water, at least for me and my family.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

We wave, and I believe it is contagious and gets passed on

And tnduc has it right....even a bad day on the water is better than a good day almost anywhere else.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

WE always wave on the fox river in northern Illinois. The more friends you have on the river the better off you are. But........sometimes the river is not the friendliest place to be. yesterday many boats were beached at the lcoal park. One guy with his family wanted to sneak his boat in and another guy who had all his kids and his friends kids in the water told the guy no. About 10 minutes later he comes back slowly drives in and is greeted by a lady on the beach f bombing him!!!! Well the guy beaching gave it back to wife and hubby and hubby got in his face and f bombs were exploding everywhere with young kids everywhere. I still cant believe fists didnt fly. Needless to say we left, dont need that on a beautiful Sunday. Besides I cant stand beaching my boat.

 

[jetter2]

Re: Boating Etiquette 101

Here in TX we usually wave, same courtesy as when on bikes.