Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

[P 0 P E Y E]

I wave at passing boats and boats I pass as a way of communicating that "I am OK, I see you and I am looking for you to signal that you see me, you are OK and we are not going to hit, you don't need help, I don't need help"


I thought is was a sort of un written rule from days past.


today I say a big twin engine whaler point at the fuel dock with his right hand as he made his final approach. You would compare this guys state of mind to that of a shuttle pilot gliding in from space with no engine, committed to land. There were two kayaks in his glide slope. The captain held course and speed, the kayaks had to deviate from course and break from formation.

Funny how some boaters have no consideration for others, Perhaps they are perpetually in the white knuckle stage of Noobe when it comes to operating their boats.

He should have waved and waited before cutting in front.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

I usually wave to other boaters. No reason, just happy to be on the water. My wife thinks it's just being friendly (she waves back to everyone).

I signal other boaters when necessary. I probably look like a maniac flailing his arms. I give way to larger vessels when safe and practical.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

I love lakes where people wave at you. I do it as practical as possible. Yes, they are a few that will just ignore you. Is a shame, is like offering your hand for a hand shake and getting blown off.

 

[Nobody]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

Other small boats and yakers - yes, big powerboats not so much unless they happen to do a full power pass within 10ft of where I'm anchored fishing.

 

[jokaj]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

After years of boating, hand waving is slowly disappearing. My family usually waves, but less and less people are responding in kind. I see this gesture as a way of telling people that I will help them should they need it....

joe

 

[Adamf24]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

I do it while out in the ocean/bay, but in busy channels it becomes pretty annoying waving every minute to passing boats.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

I live in a small town and waving (on the lakes or in the chuck) is still the norm. Usually the only ones that don't wave are the young guys in their dad's boats going flat out to/from thier cabins to party. Darn kids!





Damn, I'm getting old.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

HA! All 3 of my hobbies involve waving, I boat, ride bicycles and ride a motorcycle.

I always wave at people in a boat, really don't care for it on the motorcycle but I do if they do and on the bicycle I usually just nod or something.

Some people in boats get really into the waving thing.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

by law you are responsible for your WAKE, the way is a way of asking are you alright with my wake, the way back is yes, i am ok.

as far as cutting across the kayaks, the motor boat has more control, than the paddle and sail boat, those boats have the right away. "control" has a lot to do with the right of way on the water. you can get out of the way of a tanker, much easier than a tanker can change course for you.

 

[Thad]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

We wave on our boat. Even my 3 1/2 yr. old daughter has picked up on it and now waves at passing boats.
We boat on a small river and have noticed that some of the younger kids don't wave back. But, a lot of them probably never had anyone teach them how to operate a boat, let alone common courtesy.

We went to the Mississippi Sat. and I would say 4 out of 5 waved. Good group of boaters over there.

As far as the big boat with the kayaks, never a patrol boat when you need one.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

How about this . . . you are a small boat and some jerk comes flying by 30 plus mph in a big power boat, no shirt, gold necklace and a beer in his hand . . . a real Guido! These guys always buy the same boat it seems. It's a power boat usually 5 feet higher than most power boats!

So he almost swamps you with his wake and you start flailing yours arms all over the place at him but he would never look back, he's oblivious and his guests who usually are looking back start waving hello back to you not knowing that their Captain does not know the first thing on how to operate a boat!

If I see an antenna on his boat (they mostly never have one) but when they do I grab my VHS and start yelling at him letting him know how he doesn't know the first thing about driving a boat and he should take a boating course before he kills all of his guests on board and he better lose the beer can before the Sheriff catches up with him.

That'll at least get his guests a little panicked

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

I usually wave, but have never considered it to be anything more than a friendly greeting. As for the "meanings" that have been associated with waving in this thread, I've never heard of them. I have to wonder if the vast majority of other boaters have either.

I think I'll stick to standard passing signals and watching my wake for safety. That will leave my hands free to say "hello."

 

[ziggy]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

i wave about half the time... and certainly wave if i feel i'm getting the look over from the other skipper... we both know where were at then..

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

we always wave. Its a small marina we boat out of, so chances are at one point your going to end up talking to them anyways. I do remember the ones that dont wave, they always stand out in my mind.

 

[esobofh]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

Up here in Canada, it's standard practice to wave at your fellow boaters while out on the water, but not in the docking/marina or during loading etc.

I also make it standard practice to flip the bird at the jerks that cruise by at 50, throwing a huge wake at me while i'm standing up in my little 14' aluminum pulling in a crab trap... annoys the hell out of me.

As far as what you are communicating with the wave, I thinks its the same in any situation - on the boat, on your bike, walking down your street. "Greetings to my fellow human enjoying something I also enjoy.. we are like souls, enjoy your day"

That said, it certainly also implies that you are the friendly sort that's going to come to a fellow boaters/walker/bikers aid should the need arise. If I initiate a wave, and that person doesn't wave back to me or clearly snubs me, then I'd probably think twice about lending that person a hand, but probably would anyway, if only to encourage them to be more friendly in the future.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

Around here waving is generally limited to those that you know or a fellow "brand" owner.

Quite often an unsolicited wave to unknown individuals is taken as an incursion into their privacy. You either get no response or you get an evil stare and the kids are rounded up and sheltered by the adults onboard.

It?s a shame that it?s gotten to this point, but a reality none the less.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

That's the good thing about boating, most, not all, other boaters out there are much more pleasant than people in cars on the road. I wave to most everyone, and almost all of them wave back. Now, even on the roads I wave people out in front of me or give some well-deserving individuals the one finger salute (sorry, mild case of road rage). The best thing about boating over driving a car is that, if you break down in a boat, many people offer help, if your car breaks down or runs out of gas, you better have some comfortable shoes on.

 

[TJDave]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

While boating locally, on the Columbia River, most everyone waves at each other as they are passing. Get to within 1/4 mile from the boat launch, and all bets are off. It's every man for himself to get in there, and grab your trailer first! Kind of humorous for those of us easygoing, laid back types to watch. Some idiots ruin a great day of boating for themselves by ending it in a pissing match over a spot in line at the boat ramp. Go figure.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

I have always waved on the boat... I never knew it had a meaning more than "hey, someone else enjoying the water, lets say hello". I guess I will have to think of what it could mean next time I toss the hand up to someone.

 

[bustermin]

Re: Do you wave at passing boats? a lost art

we too wave at other boaters and normaly get a positive response. last week for example i was in Sebastian, Fla, and we were on one of the many sand bars/islands, my wife decided to take a little run with my daughter and son and they were gone for about 45 mins. when i looked a out and saw somebody paddeling a boat about 1/4 mile away, so i started watching and realized it was my wife, (mind you many boats passed her but none stopped to help) so i flagged down a passing boat with 3 people on it and asked if they would check on her and they did. they ended up towing her to me where i then found the throttle cable had come off so she could only go at idle speed. so i would like to thank this fellow boater (again) because he could have easily have just kept going like all the others, but instead took 15 mins. and gave a helping hand. i only hope i can someday return the favor.