Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

[convergent]

I am always amazed at how some boaters (thankfully, a minority) treat the no wake zones. This afternoon we went to the lake kind of later in the day to do some slalom skiing... about 4:30. This lake is really small and often clearing out by then. I launched the boat and tied off to the dock to park the truck. My kids mentioned this guy flying into the no wake zone with a wakeboard boat and the huge wake headed for the dock. They said that he had just done a tight circle right outside the no wake zone and then spun around and came about half the distance to shore from the no wake zone buoy really fast and then finally slowed down as they were getting near the dock. I looked out at the guy, and both my teen kids were kind of staring at him too. I probably glanced back at him 3 or 4 times before he got to the dock. As he approached the dock, we had untied our dock lines and were holding the boat away from the dock because it was bouncing up and down like crazy and the fenders weren't going to save it. It was jumping up and down about 1-2 feet and I didn't want the side of the boat to come up over the dock and get hung on it. We were still doing that when the guy gets to the other side of the dock and has his kid jump off onto the dock and then he just plows into the dock (no fenders of course) adding to our challenge to even stand up. About a minute or two later I end up face to face with the guy as he's getting off the boat to go get his vehicle and he looks at me and says, "Now you'll have the whole lake all to yourself.". I just said, "That would be great.", smiled, and got back in the boat, and we untied and headed out.

I didn't realize it for a few minutes that he was just being a total jerk since we had been staring at him. He had a smirk on his face when he said it and I didn't immediately connect it. It isn't uncommon for this small lake to clear out by then on some Sundays and you really have flat water for skiing, so I actually thought he was serious. As we got out in the lake I realized there were several other boats out there tubing, wakeboarding, etc.., which is totally fine, but it connected in my head then what he had said. Why do people have to be such jerks? I've seen this particular boat plow through the no wake zone before at this lake. Do people think this is funny? This lake rents a lot of canoes and paddle boats and has a pretty large no wake area for them, and to protect the docks. The guy looked to be in his 30s and had a couple of younger kids with him. I always think of what I should have said after its too late.

Thankfully I met a couple of other really nice boaters as we were coming off the lake later and had some nice conversation. Good to remember that MOST boaters are courteous and not jerks.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

I do a lot of volunteer SAR work for the USCG and the LA Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries. Because of this, I have a bunch of phone numbers for various offices and enforncement personnel in my cell phone.

I just luuuuuuuuuuuuuv smart guys like the one you just described. Its so nice to be "social" and "introduce them" to the guys who can actually do something about their self absorbed behavior.



???

 

[RoyR]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

What gets me is when these jerks don't hug the shore line and mess up the flat water for everyone....

 

[mandopickr]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

I was night fishing on Sept 10th, under a bridge with a span of about 300 yds. The bridges on this lake, Hartwell, are all marked "no wake", and all have "no wake" buoys on both sides. This is to protect the bridge pillars, and also because of the limited sight when going under a bridge.

Of the planning boats that came under the bridge, 9 of 13 made a significant wake. The biggest boat, a 23ft cc, made no wake at all. Three pontoon boats didn't slow at all, and one of those actually passed another while going under the bridge. It waked the boat next to me so hard one of his fishing lights was knocked off and into the water.

The bad news is I feel most would say they weren't making a wake at all because they weren't wot.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

Of the planning boats that came under the bridge, 9 of 13 made a significant wake. The biggest boat, a 23ft cc, made no wake at all. Three pontoon boats didn't slow at all, and one of those actually passed another while going under the bridge. It waked the boat next to me so hard one of his fishing lights was knocked off and into the water.

pontoons are the worst about slowing down! I fear pontoons more than any other single boater, I've lost track of the times I've nearly been plowed into by a pontoon.

Although I'm not defending his behavior, pontoons don't exactly throw up much wake at any speed though, nothing compared to a v hull plowing water. If his light was knocked off by a pontoon wake, sounds like he probably shouldn't have been on the water with that gear no matter what.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

pontoons are the worst about slowing down! I fear pontoons more than any other single boater, I've lost track of the times I've nearly been plowed into by a pontoon.

Yeah, I used to ride a motorcycle and would classify pontoons as the minivans of the water. I give them as much space as possible. Then again, you can find a self absorbed jerk in just about any kind of boat - sail, fishing, commercial, pleasure, etc. - if you look hard enough.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

The annoying thing about pontoon boats on my lake are the dolts that insist on using their docking lights as headlights to navigate by. I spoke to the head of the local water patrol, as it turns out he's been flooded with complaints about that issue. But man, have pontoon boats become popular- seems like they're becoming the majority in this area.

 

[convergent]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

Earlier this year, NC raised the age you have to be to drive a boat without passing a boater safety course from 14 to 26. I don't understand why there is an age limit on that? Why in the world can you drive a boat with out passing any safety test at all? I would like to see a mandatory permit for boaters. At least then you'd know that the jerk knows exactly what they are doing and not just uneducated about the rules.

 

[mandopickr]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

You're right that many pontoons don't throw up much of a wake, but believe me, as I saw that night, some do. Those that did seemed to have most of their weight in the rear, and were ploughing the water, maybe because the motor wasn't trimmed properly.

The wake that rocked this boat was 6" to a 1' and he was maybe 15' away, and on his stern side. It initially looked like the pontoon was going to hit him, but the overtaking pontoon managed to squeeze between the fisherman, and the other pontoon.

Since that night, I've noticed several more pontoons that have a decent size wake. One came through between the dock and the no wake sign on the ramp I use (thankfully no one was loading at the time). I think many pontoon boat 'drivers' rank right up there with many pwc owners in their lack of knowledge of rules of the water.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

I really feel for you folks and the problems that these discourteous boaters create. Boating on salt water, for some reason, the tubers and jet skis stay in very small confined areas equal to about 50-100 acres. That is nothing compared to the size of these small bays I boat on, but it does leave the vast majority of the water free and clear for family outings. Also, they stay away from the marinas because that is where the Coast Guard, Harbor Master and State Police hang out.

My big complaint is large power boats (28-50ft) that don't change course when they see us anchored or over take us with HUGE wake. They can see the little kids on the boat (with PFD's), and although my 16' boat is a mere speck on the water, you know they see us from a hundred yards away. Thankfully, the boat can take the big waves, its just not much fun when trying to eat with a dinner plate on your lap and big wake comes. (hey, grab my peas before they roll into the bilge!!!!)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Jerk + No Wake Zone = Argh!

The ones who intentionally make big wakes near the docks, etc. think they are showing off their manly muscle. They are just showing off water displacement, which can be accomplished just as well by unmanly fat. Most of them are probably impotent. Ask them.

Some jerks like to run full speed to the very edge of the no wake zone and cut the motor almost completely, making even bigger wake. The result? more and bigger no wake zones.
But I'm with Mark; not much of a problem around here until you get up into the waterfront neighborhoods, which are like lakes.
I have a problem, though, with those who move to the water, don't know how to moor a boat, and set up no wake zones. As if boat wakes are different from chop on a windy day.