No Courtesy on the water.....

[QC]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Towing at or below hull speed produces very little load. Takes a while to get anywhere of course, and rough water is yet another discussion. 125 yards from the launch ramp? I can't see how this could be an issue for anyone with experience. Can you screw up? Heck yeah, but come on . . . This scenario is a no brainer, with the possible exception of thinking the guy simply rows for exercise :facepalm:

I love the flat tire example. Yup!

 

[JoLin]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Why?

Nearly all the boats in my vicinity are in the 20' and up class. Many, many are as big as or bigger than mine. I'm not a good enough seaman to trust myself to bring together a weight of 9000 lbs (me) and whoever I'm approaching in wind and choppy seas (normal conditions here) without damaging my or the other boat. Add in the possibility of personal injury and our litigious society and I flat refuse. I'm more than willing to call a tow service for you.

 

[Rentaltux]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Never, not Ever would I turn a blind eye to anyone that looked like they might need assistance... EVER! Boat, car or rocket ship, thats just me. I like to think that most of the people around me are the same.

 

[erwinner]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

So far I just have my 14' tinny but no matter the issue, if someone needs some help I'm glad to give it. I don't care if you came out with something you had 0% faith in working or a brand new boat, if problem arises I'm happy to try and get you on your way. We're not going miles out into the ocean with out tiny little lakes around here, so safety isn't the issue. You can always see shore and there are no currents and riptides to worry about on these dammed rivers. I've jumped a boat with my car at the local lake because they just wanted to play for a little while and their battery was weak. I just pulled up to the edge of the ramps as close as I could get and handed them the jumpers. Told them not to shut off the motor until they were done. I go to the lake to take it easy, and whether it be just me, me, the GF and the dogs, or a group of friends, I expect the people with me to know that if someone needs a helping hand, we're here to give it. We're not in a tournament, and we will go across the lake to retrieve the inflatable lounger that someone just lost to a sudden 40mph gust of wind.
I've found the best way to meet new people is to do them an unasked favor! People tend to be pretty nice when you help them out for no reason. I don't go interjecting myself into everyone's problems, but every now and then you see an issue arise where a helping hand is obviously needed.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

I was coming across the lake on the 4th of July and my wife pointed to a boat with a bunch of bikini clad young ladies and said she thought they needed help. One of the girls was up on the sunpad waving her arms and swingin her hips. I pulled close only to find that the music was loud and the other girls were also swinging the hips and waving the arms in the air. I really wanted to tow that boat, but alas they needed no help. I got out of there before I looked like a creeper..

I think there is a difference in the opinions here depending on where you boat. I think the type of boating we do here in MN is different then if you are on the ocean or big waters. Here, there is no tow service. In many cases you wating long enough and the shore will come to you. I have no qualms about helping out as somebody has to. I have been given a tow and I have towed. We don't have VHF radios or distress flags. It just is not necesary. However, I was in Pt Pleasant NJ last week and saw a Towboat US pulling someone in through the inlet and could understand why you would not touch that with a 10 foot pole. If I knew they were stuck I would come over and offer assistance, but no way would I attempt a tow through that inlet.

To ignore someone in distress, even if it is just motoring over to check on them to ensure they could communicate with the shore and get help, is not right. The level of support rendered can vary greatly though..

 

[oldjeep]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Here, there is no tow service. In many cases you wating long enough and the shore will come to you.

Mostly true, although there is TowBoat US on Minnetonka and the river by redwing. Only thing I ever see them towing on Minnetonka is the big boys, everyone else just takes care of each other.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Those, other than Superior, are about the only bodies big enough to support a towing franchise. My experience with Mtka is that there are a lot of rude uppity boaters there. Most other lakes in MN and western WI that i have frequented, people are very friendly, whether on the water or at the ramp.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Those, other than Superior, are about the only bodies big enough to support a towing franchise. My experience with Mtka is that there are a lot of rude uppity boaters there. Most other lakes in MN and western WI that i have frequented, people are very friendly, whether on the water or at the ramp.

Havn't really run into any issues on minnetonka other than folks who insist on tubing in front of the launch that we use in Minnetrista.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Havn't really run into any issues on minnetonka other than folks who insist on tubing in front of the launch that we use in Minnetrista.

And that's what flare guns are for haha

GraysBay launch is nice (tucked in by the bridge) - isolated a bit from junk like that.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

We were cruising in our newly refurbished center console with less than 20 hrs on the totally overhauled Merc. 150 along the inter-coastal canal in gulf shoes AL. As we approached the big curve just before you get to the toll bridge at the Worf, we spotted a family in their bow-rider sitting still dead in the middle. Now other boaters (some big 35 footers) just blew by them rocking them like crazy without another thought, but to us it looked strange. We slowed and shouted "you guys okay?" his wife was on a cell phone all worried looking, grandma and three little ones just sitting all sad looking and the husband did the finger across the throat thing LOL :O) You know, they were not waving or trying to get anyone's attention, but it just didn't look right to us. Who would stop in the middle like that just for the heck of it, Of course they needed a tow and I didn't care if it was in the middle of my break in period, we hooked up and I pulled his family all the way back to Lulu's (actually just before Lulu's there is a boat repair place) He had spun a prop. We wouldn't even take a dime for helping. Next time it could be us and when one of those big fancy 35 footers blows by without a care in the world, I'm sending a flair right across his bow, how could you not know? It's not normal to paddle a 17 ft boat, it just doesn't look right! I can tell you one thing for sure if I would have seen you, you would have had to tell me to back off because you where okay and just getting a little exercise in before supper. It is supposed to be common courtesy but unfortunately it is so very UNcommon :O( BTW we went on the rest of our trip to Al. Point and to Zekes for more fuel (burned more than expected with the tow back in the opposite direction) and on the way back we met them crossing Wolf Bay, they had sent the Kids back with grandma by taxi and Husband and wife were all smiles and waving big time, as they boated on by. It made us feel really good! That's pay enough!

 

[Expidia]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Almost nobody on an inland lake would have any idea what that flag meant. Better off just waving and crossing both hands above your head.

Wow, you mean to say boaters on your lakes would not know what someone waving a red or orange flag in a boat means they are having some type of distress???

If I saw someone standing in his boat holding his hands crossed over his head I would think he's just checking to see if it's time to change his smelly wife beater T-shirt yet???

The actual marine distress signal is using ones arms outstretched to the sides raising and lowering them repeatedly. But you already knew that and was just testing me right

These red flags are required in NY and we have a few lakes here too. Not required for boats under 15 feet (that's pretty dumb) and flags can be seen for probably two miles away! We have flags in the lockers when we use jet skis too.

The back of my boat says MEGAN O (not SeaTow) but of course there are with me exceptions to my "I don't tow" rule as in the example below, this would be an exception to my rule:

 

[oldjeep]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Wow, you mean to say boaters on your lakes would not know what someone waving a red or orange flag in a boat means they are having some type of distress???

Orange flag means skier/boarder in the water around here

If I saw someone standing in his boat holding his hands crossed over his head I would think he's just checking to see if it's time to change his smelly wife beater T-shirt yet???

The actual marine distress signal is using ones arms outstretched to the sides raising and lowering them repeatedly. But you already knew that and was just testing me right

Don't have any Marines around here, so a marine distress signal wouldn't help much - I'd assume it was some crazy person trying to fly. Crossing above your head is the same signal you use in the water when skiing or diving, folks around here know what that means.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

waving anything will do. an orange life jacket on a boat hook works great.

As for the international symbol (lowering outstretched arms) I've been boating all my life and passed many courses but never knew that; I'm ashamed to say I passed 2 different people doing that not knowing they needed help; thought they were OK. One drifted his 30' wooden deadrise to the island where I was staying; when I found he was broke down I pulled his 30' wooden boat with my 17' skiff back about 2-3 miles through the marsh back to shore. yes I tow people, boats bigger than mine, long trip (but we had beers and I made a new friend). Out on the seaside, you are on your own and you help others out.

But.

Your jetski picture: memorial day I came upon a woman alone on a jet ski washed up to the marsh with a rope sucked up in her parts. I did not tow her (nor did I capture her and take her off to the pirate's den) because I don't feel comfortable towing jet skis and we had a falling tide so time was a factor if I was getting to my island. Tried calling the USCG patrol which had just inspected me, (and passed her without noticing, much less stopping), but couldn't raise them. So I tied off the jetski and gave her a ride (10-15 minutes a mile or two away) to her friends on a beach with a motor boat. Refused her offer of gas money, of course.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Wow, you mean to say boaters on your lakes would not know what someone waving a red or orange flag in a boat means they are having some type of distress???

If I saw someone standing in his boat holding his hands crossed over his head I would think he's just checking to see if it's time to change his smelly wife beater T-shirt yet???

The actual marine distress signal is using ones arms outstretched to the sides raising and lowering them repeatedly. But you already knew that and was just testing me right

These red flags are required in NY and we have a few lakes here too. Not required for boats under 15 feet (that's pretty dumb) and flags can be seen for probably two miles away! We have flags in the lockers when we use jet skis too.

The back of my boat says MEGAN O (not SeaTow) but of course there are with me exceptions to my "I don't tow" rule as in the example below, this would be an exception to my rule:

WOW!!!! :O( really??????? So sad :O(

 

[matt88]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Hey Matt, it's obvious by your second post that you do feel you are OWED something. (so dumb it doesnt deserve a response) Don't come back at me yelling about what you did and didn't say. (Yelled?? How??) I read what you posted.(Did you?) Courtesy has nothing to do with it.(Courtesy has nothing to do with it? I see that you can read and write in english? My question is whether or not you understand it?) If you took offense at my post, that's obviously your problem. Not mine. (just like the boaters that paddle by you in there dead boats,bahahahaha!)Stated a Coast Guard Rule as a fact. (In what part of my post did I ask for coast guard regulations??LOL!) Not trying to start something with a petulant crybaby.(Are you sure thats not exactly what you are??lol!) As a matter of fact you seem to be filling the void of the idiot crybaby who seems to frequent almost all internet forums...Congratulations!!!!!!!!

MY POINT WAS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO IGNORED YOU WERE WRONG. But they didn't owe you a tow. They should have asked you if you needed help. But you probably would have gotten snippy with them, just like you did with me.

Have a nice time boating.

Hilarious! My problem at the time was my back was still hurting from paddling and I was irritated because I would have definitely lended a hand if the situation had been reversed. Whats your problem? Wasnt trying to get under anyones skin. I was only venting on this site that I have become very fond of because of the people here on the forums that are always willing to lend a hand. (I wasnt asking for the standard coast guard regulations,roflmao!)You must be one of those perfect people here that have all the answers but never seem to be able to show any results. Anyways,happy boating to you too and I hope you dont have a break down with people of your same character near by,bahahaha!

As for the other posters that responded to this thread,thanks! There was some good stories here and I feel like at least the majority of the iboating community know what courtesy is and know how to exercise it without passing judgement and thinking of only number one. Here are some before and after shots of my boat! Its actually for sale. Im wanting something bigger and am ready for a new project!

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

word

nice job on the boat btw! I was confused by the finish of the gelcoat...but then i noticed the 2010 vs 2012 dates wow

 

[PCUK]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Didn't read every reply so this may have been said already.
In the UK we consider that the welfare state ends at the sea wall! (I know you don't have a welfare state - NHS etc. etc.) But what it means is that once you are out at sea you are on your own and need to be prepared for every eventuality. Moaning that no one helped you when DIDN'T ask for help is pretty dim. As has been said, many people don't offer to help due to being told to mind their own business. But once asked are immediately to hand doing whatever is necessary. My advice would be to ensure your boat is ready for the sea and not "take a chance" and if you should be stuck again to ask for help before 'slagging off' the boating community.

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Boating on small inland lakes is a recreational activity that is often undertaken by folks who boat only on their 2-weeks in July, or the occasional weekend. Or by young folks going out on the family boat for a few hours of fun. Seems like some folks want to impose the same high standards needed for coastal boating on everyone. That's just wrong-headed. (insert "my 2 cents" smiley)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

Boating on small inland lakes is a recreational activity that is often undertaken by folks who boat only on their 2-weeks in July, or the occasional weekend. Or by young folks going out on the family boat for a few hours of fun. Seems like some folks want to impose the same high standards needed for coastal boating on everyone. That's just wrong-headed. (insert "my 2 cents" smiley)

if that's the case I'd agree that the "coastal standards" are indeed higher standards, and if ignoring someone paddling 100 yards from the dock is "inland lake" standard, that's pretty low. I guess it's a picture of the difference between boaters and those who merely own a boat.

 

[matt88]

Re: No Courtesy on the water.....

word

nice job on the boat btw! I was confused by the finish of the gelcoat...but then i noticed the 2010 vs 2012 dates wow

Thanks! The black is base coat clear coat and the red is the original gel coat with 3 coats of clear on it. I have heard good and bad things about reclearing the old gel coat but this has been on there for several months now and still looks as good as the day I sprayed it. So hopefully it will hold up. I put a new transom and floor in it as well.