Safe Boating,, how close is too close

[bonz_d]

Just seen this question asked in another thread and thought I'd bring it up for discussion along with other unsafe habits.

I'll start off by saying that yes I am a fishing most of the time I'm on the water and do this in a 14' boat. It really upsets me when I have other boats coming past me at a more than uncomfortable distance. When I start taking water over my transom because of your wake your are probably too close. If I can read the name brand on your sun glasses then you are definately too close.

Not trying to make this a fishing vs rec argument because what happened last night was another fisherman.

We were drift fishing a bay when this guy in a large tritoon with a half doz. poles sticking up in the rod holders comes cruising by creating a huge wake and passes by about 70' away. He had probably 1/4 mi of water that he could have passed around us but I guess he just had to show off his boat.

Also later last night, after sunset we see 2 other boats fliing around the lake with their running lights on still pulling water skiers! I know the ramps on this lake all have it posted. "No Water Skiing After Sunset"

So I'll start with 2 questions;
1. How close is too close?
2. How can it be safe skiing after sunset?

 

[retire2disney]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

#1 anything within 100 feet is no wake zone provided you are anchored or moored
#2 it cant be

 

[Bondo]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Ayuh,.... I Agree,....
No skiing after dark,+ within 100' of Anything is a No wake zone...

 

[Mr_Shamrock]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

I agree totally and this goes for the jet skiers too. We have a little beach that we usually hang out at along with usually a dozen or so other boats. This particular little inlet dead ends about 500 feet in and is only about 150 feet wide. It tweaks me when these boats and jet ski's turn into that inlet and see how fast they can go to show off for all the people at the beach. Mean while all the boats there get bashed around by the wake and the kids get tossed around also. My little adopted brother who is only 4 got tossed right into the side of our boat. I had some choice words for that guy! I say this all the time and it doesn't just apply to boating - a little common sense and common courtesy goes a long way, but seems to be so rare these day!

 

[jcupo6]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Same thing happened to me last weekend, me and another small fishing boat were drifting about 50-75 feet apart. A large cabin cruiser came flying by doing at least 35mph well within 100 feet of both of us. My 22? Starcraft handled the wake okay, it was very uncomfortable though, but the other small boat nearly flipped over with a small 6-8 year old child on board. It's just common courtesy to slow down or pass at a safe distance.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

I think that it becomes more of a question of courtesy than safety. I try and stay as far away as I can from others but if I can't I slow to no wake a few hundred feet before I get to them and don't accelerate until a few hundred after.

As for sking after dark: we'll get the herd thinned somehow.

 

[rlb9844]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

I was out boating with some friends last week. My friend's daughter, seeing others on the lake doing it, kept asking if she could jump in the water to cool off. I said no because there are some "fools" out here. Just then my point was proven. Some guy in a 200 HP bass boat came in between me and another boat wide open. Me and this other boat were only about 150 feet apart when this guy came thru, both of us drifting. The wake almost through my friend's daughter out. Why is there no medication for stupid? As far as skiing after sunset. Where I boat you have to be off the water no later than 1 hour after sunset. Besides, skiing in the dark just sounds stupid.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Ayuh,.... I Agree,....
No skiing after dark,+ within 100' of Anything is a No wake zone...

Does ANYTHING consisit of bare shoreline? I agree, if there are anchored boats, kids, docks, etc then 100 ft and no wake. However the lake I frequent has the river channel that goes close to a shore that has rip-rap. Often times people fly by in the channel at planning speed (myself included). That's why I ask.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Waterskiing curfew in MN is 1 hr after sunset. Sunset and dark are 2 very different things

(2) Water skiing, tubing and similar acts are
prohibited between one hour after sunset to
sunrise of the following day

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Dissenting view if I may. I can only relate to open salt water not rivers and streams, so we may be talking about 2 different situations. I idle out of my canal. Once I get to open water there is a clearly marked narrow channel running maybe 300 yds to deeper water. People anchor in or right on the edge of the channel because thats where the fishing is good. You chose to be there, I am not going to come off plane to acomidate you, would never get to open water. If the tide is cooperating, I will give atquate room. If you are right in the middle of the channel I will slow down and give you a dirty look.
Same goes for a location like RED FISH PASS, anchoring or drifting for tarpon. No one is going to slow down for you, you chose to be there, live with it! To many people wrapped up in their own self importance and at times I suspect put themselves in positions where they can be offended. Someone I know had to use SEA TOW. Was a very long tow down a channel and into the canals. Was upset that every one passed him on plane ( best thing they could do, would have done the same ). He was under tow not in distress but expected everyone else to follow him down the channel and into the canals. His day was in the toilet so everyone else should suffer with him. FRED

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Waterskiing curfew in MN is 1 hr after sunset. Sunset and dark are 2 very different things

(2) Water skiing, tubing and similar acts are
prohibited between one hour after sunset to
sunrise of the following day

I understand that is the regulation in Mn. but still how can that be a safe practice?

Last night while we were out it was dark well before an hr after the sunset. Really those 2 boats had their navigation lights on.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

My take on this make make some waves (pun intended), but I think where we boat is why my answer is different. I'm in the ICW, in the section called 'The Narrows', and north, and I've never boated a day in my life in freshwater (lakes or rivers).

If the anchored/fishing boat is in the channel, then he is in the lane of traffic, and nobody is slowing down for him, or moving too far over. Some of the channel section are crazy narrow, and you can easily run aground in some areas. I've seen the Coasties and LEO's fly past these guys without a second thought. If the boat in question is outside of the channel, we're not going to slow down for him either, as he should be far enough away to not be adversely affected. Now today, I watched a guy in a bowrider thread the needle between a disabled boat, and a pirate ship (yes, a pirate ship, we're a tourist destination, and we have some goofy boats running around). I thought he was going to cut the disabled boat's anchor line he was so close. To me, he wasn't be smart and safe for himself, never mind courteous to others.

In a situation as the OP posted, I would have given a wide berth when passing, but more out of safety for myself, then for his comfort. I don't know where his lines are, if he's anchored and where his anchor line is, and for all I know, he had just gotten his lines up to move to another location, and doesn't see me coming. Defensive driving.

As for jcupo6's post, if the two fishing vessels were positioned in a way that obstructed or prevented the larger passing vessel, then I say it was the fishing vessels' fault for being there. But again, my head can only wrap around boating in SW channels, so if it was a wide open lake, then my thoughts would change.

A vessel is responsible for any damage done by its wake. However, if what was damaged shouldn't have been where it got damaged, then that may change. If your car gets destroyed because you decided to park it in the middle lane of the freeway to go shopping, should the driver who eventually hits you be at fault?

Oh, and as for the waterskiing at night? Don't sweat it, that's just nature's way of cleaning out the gene pool.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Are there actual designated traffic lanes in channels? I have never operated a boat in salt water. Every inland lake that I am aware of does not have designated traffic lanes, (although many have directions of traffic). So in that case a still boater has no idea where everyone will travel and I give them distance.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

I understand that is the regulation in Mn. but still how can that be a safe practice?

Last night while we were out it was dark well before an hr after the sunset. Really those 2 boats had their navigation lights on.

Depends on the moon and clouds, but there is usually enough light at that time and it tends to be when the water is calmest.

 

[BrandonHa]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

My grandpa was in his 80's and out fishing the river in his 12ft fiberglass boat. He had a 6hp Evinrude on the back of it and trolled with his oars. That stretch of river is plenty deep and a good 1/4 mile wide.

Some guys came by him plowing water and sank him from their wake. Now grandpa should not of been out fishing by himself but these guys never even slowed down! They sank an old man out fishing with his dog.

We knew most everyone that fished that stretch of river and these guys were not the normal crowd. Maybe they just did not know better but ignorance is NO excuse.

On a funnier note. I was out fishing the straights (with my grandpa actually) and we were in our 23ft boat. It was just me and him that day. He always made a great passenger because of all the stories he told. Well I was in the head and a Submarine had come by a few minutes prior. It was neat to see but I did not think about how fast that sub was going and how much water she actually drew.

When the wake from that sub hit us, it broke my radar arch in half and threw me off the toilet in to one of the bunks. When I came out of the cabin my Grandpa just smiled and said "Well how did it go?" I guess submarines dont have to give way to 23' Bellboys out Halibut fishing do they? haha

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

My primary boating lake has a counter-clock wise traffic pattern as covered by village ordinance. I myself know were the traffic lanes and patterns are and try my best to stay out of the way while fishing. Though I see all to often the disregard and Chaos some boaters create.

Another example. A couple weekends ago we were out and the local sailing club was having a race. Had the course marked out and had a signaler on station. A number of times I witnessed powerboats cutting thru that course. Why?

I agree that if fishing or just anchored in a traffic channel then you are on your own but my question again is if on the open water and there is room to pass more than 100' away why do some people feel the need to pass closer?
I'll give you your space so please leave me mine.

Also agreed that I would rather be passed at WOT than by someone cruising by at low to mid throttle.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Are there actual designated traffic lanes in channels? I have never operated a boat in salt water. Every inland lake that I am aware of does not have designated traffic lanes, (although many have directions of traffic). So in that case a still boater has no idea where everyone will travel and I give them distance.

Even though the Bays and Ocean look like big open playgrounds, the truth of the matter is that they are riddled with shoals, bars, and shifting sands. Marked channels are the highways through these areas. You would no more anchor or drift in a marked channel than you would park and have a picnic on the side of an interstate highway.

Here is a map of one of my fishing holes. In this neck of the woods you either run with the big dogs or you stay on the porch. They don't have a 100' no-wake law and aircraft carriers, freighters and larger boats don't worry about their wakes, you do.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

My primary boating lake has a counter-clock wise traffic pattern as covered by village ordinance. I myself know were the traffic lanes and patterns are and try my best to stay out of the way while fishing. Though I see all to often the disregard and Chaos some boaters create.

That to me is weird.

Another example. A couple weekends ago we were out and the local sailing club was having a race. Had the course marked out and had a signaler on station. A number of times I witnessed powerboats cutting thru that course. Why?

Ignorance and/or stupidity

I agree that if fishing or just anchored in a traffic channel then you are on your own but my question again is if on the open water and there is room to pass more than 100' away why do some people feel the need to pass closer?
I'll give you your space so please leave me mine.

Also agreed that I would rather be passed at WOT than by someone cruising by at low to mid throttle.

I think there are so many non-boaters that own boats, they drive them like they do cars. That's the only explanation I can come up with. It's more of an ignorance issue. They don't realize that even though their boat is (arbitrarily) 20' long, they are in control of a wake as wide as the body of water, and about 200 yards (total guess) long, behind them!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Depends on the moon and clouds, but there is usually enough light at that time and it tends to be when the water is calmest.

Think of it this way. Enough light for you the driver of the ski boat or enough light for me the other boater who might not see a skiier in the water under limited light conditions. Some people do not see so well after sunset.

All I can say is I wouldn't do it. Just to risky.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Safe Boating,, how close is too close

Here's some google shots of the narrows. I've marked out the actual navigable channel in the second one. I'd say that's close to the channel width for most of the image that covers the larger area, not just the Narrows. Channels aren't huge sometimes.

Overview of area: I can see my house!

The Narrows (about the narrowest part of them) About where it says Indian Shores on the overview.