Anchoring Mooring "laws"

[DoralBaby96]

I put "laws" in quotations for debate purposes. So we were anchored off a piece of property last night. 30 feet away from the shoreline and three hundred feet from the nearest dock. I shut down my music at 11pm as there were cottagers at that mostly abandoned property. We got up this morning to find we had drifted significantly and pulled up both our anchors to find our anchor lines had been cut and sabotoged. I walked up about 1/4 mile to that cabin and knocked on the door to have the owner fly out screaming at me that I was trespassing, yelling that I got what I deserved for anchoring off there, he will make sure no one ever anchors there again etc. I have contacted the police and they are currently investigating. Is there anything else legally I should be looking into? I had my young children on board last night and this incident had me thoroughly shaken up with the could've happened situations going thru my head!!!!

 

[JoshOnt]

I am not sure what else you should look at but others may although knowing your province/state would be good to know.

 

[alldodge]

I put "laws" in quotations for debate purposes. So we were anchored off a piece of property last night. 30 feet away from the shoreline and three hundred feet from the nearest dock. I shut down my music at 11pm as there were cottagers at that mostly abandoned property. We got up this morning to find we had drifted significantly and pulled up both our anchors to find our anchor lines had been cut and sabotoged. I walked up about 1/4 mile to that cabin and knocked on the door to have the owner fly out screaming at me that I was trespassing, yelling that I got what I deserved for anchoring off there, he will make sure no one ever anchors there again etc. I have contacted the police and they are currently investigating. Is there anything else legally I should be looking into? I had my young children on board last night and this incident had me thoroughly shaken up with the could've happened situations going thru my head!!!!

No attorney but if the guys admits to it he could be sued by you, and probably charged with vandalism. I have all chain anchor and glad I do for this very reason. Sure sorry to hear about our issue, but I will say if someone was playing music loud enough for me to here it until 11PM I would be pissed. The water carries sound real well, I go to bed at 10PM, so if I'm on the water, I keep it real quite and everything goes off at 9PM if not before. You don't know who's backyard your in and quite is always better IMO. I wouldn't cut your line but having to come down to the water to ask someone in my back yard to turn it down would bother me a bunch

 

[Bondo]

30 feet away from the shoreline

Ayuh,.... I ain't a lawyer either, but 30' off my shoreline, I'd probably be throwin' rocks at yer boat, askin' ya to move,.....

100' is the typical margin 'tween boats, shore, obstructions, or anything else,.....

There's millions of acres of open water, 'n miles of protected shoreline, Don't camp out in My front yard, unless I offer ya dockage,....

My houseboat is moored 20' off shore,.....

 

[DoralBaby96]

Sorry I should've stated that I'm in Ontario, my lines weren't cut cut as I have chains as well and they were unscrewed. Also I wasn't having a massive rave on deck, my music wasn't even loud enough that we couldn't carry on a conversation with it on. I couldn't do 100 feet offshore as that would almost put me at the other shore

 

[littlerayray]

I would let the police handle it you retaliating will only get you in trouble which body of water btw

 

[alldodge]

Sorry I should've stated that I'm in Ontario, my lines weren't cut cut as I have chains as well and they were unscrewed. Also I wasn't having a massive rave on deck, my music wasn't even loud enough that we couldn't carry on a conversation with it on. I couldn't do 100 feet offshore as that would almost put me at the other shore

Lets say you were being respectful, but the guy didn't want you in front of his house, nothing you can do but file suit, or let it go. The guy pulled your anchor up and unscrewed your anchors, wow that takes some doing

So far as music, I'll just say I have a high powered stereo system, but haven't turned in on even during the day time unless I'm in the middle of the lake and no one is around. Only turned it on one time this year and even then it's barely on. Been to many places and everyone wants their music and it's different then mine. Found that music is the one thing that can mellow someone out and fire another up, just depends on who is listening

 

[littlerayray]

Nah Doral we will all get together if your close enough and do a floating yatch club and blare our music in front of this guy's place :laugh::fencing:

 

[littlerayray]

So did anything come out of the police investigation

 

[Frank Acampora]

30 feet is the length of my living room I would certainly be upset if you had anchored that close to me or my land. A little common sense and consideration is required on the water.

 

[roffey]

Sorry I should've stated that I'm in Ontario, my lines weren't cut cut as I have chains as well and they were unscrewed. Also I wasn't having a massive rave on deck, my music wasn't even loud enough that we couldn't carry on a conversation with it on. I couldn't do 100 feet offshore as that would almost put me at the other shore

I'm in Ontario as well and have water front. If you had moored your boat 30 feet from my dock I most likely would have asked what you were up to and be a little miffed. At 30 feet I can cast my fishing line over the bow, LOL. You do have the rest of the lake you could have moored for the night but cutting you lose would be a huge danger and risking damage and harm to you and your boat, something I would never do. I know in Ontario you don't own the water front and in fact don't own the first 15 feet (I think but not sure of the exact number). In Ontario you have the right to walk along the shore line and portage if required.

 

[thdrduck]

Pulling someones anchors is just wrong no matter what, and.... if someone anchored 30 feet off my place and had music on I would not be a happy duck. But I would never pull someones anchor.

 

[roffey]

I know this does not have much to do with this thread but it is the laws of water front in Ontario and I bet much the same holds true for the States.

Just FYI. http://www.ontariorealestatesource.com/images/Waterfront Property~ Do You Own It.pdf

 

[Volphin]

Gee, and I thought Canadians were supposed to be super polite? All kidding aside, 30ft is a little close. Still, no excuse for mess in with your anchor though. He could have handled it like a man, but took the child route.

 

[alldodge]

I have to admit I went off a little to the deep end with my first comment. The OP said if he was 100 ft away from the side he was on, he would be next to the other shore. If the width is about 150 wide, then that is narrow.

 

[roffey]

... and at the end of the day it's always best to talk about it. You never know there is most likely a perfectly good reason why and might only be a short while and who knows the captain may invite you aboard for some refreshment and you just might make a new friend.

welcome to Mr rogers neighbourhood, LOL.

Won't you be my neighbour..