The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

[wbc1957]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I noticed that the boat was borrowed from friend! This is one of the biggest problems on the water. If you don't own it, you don't care enough to learn ahead of time, be it for the safety of the boat and other boaters,or more importantly,for those you are having risk their lives riding with you. Boats tend to make many people willing to takemore risks, since it looks easy and there isn't any pesky running lanes to stay in. I have found the worst are those who decide to risk a day out on the Mississippi river, thinking they are running in water no different than a calm lake. Let this be a lesson for those of us that own our own boats. Don't lend them out!

 

[tswiczko]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I noticed that the boat was borrowed from friend! This is one of the biggest problems on the water. If you don't own it, you don't care enough to learn ahead of time, be it for the safety of the boat and other boaters,or more importantly,for those you are having risk their lives riding with you. Boats tend to make many people willing to takemore risks, since it looks easy and there isn't any pesky running lanes to stay in. I have found the worst are those who decide to risk a day out on the Mississippi river, thinking they are running in water no different than a calm lake. Let this be a lesson for those of us that own our own boats. Don't lend them out!

I absolutely would never loan my boat, nor would anyone I know loan their boat let alone to someone whi didn't have general boating knowledge.

It would be irresponsible of me. I feel that this whole situation stemmed from irresponsibility. The person that loaned him the boat didn't take the time to see if he had the basic skill required. The person borrowing the boat didn't take the responsibillity to learn the boat or how to even launch it(by heving the owner give him a training session with a hands on launch)

I know around here you are not required a boat operator cert. but I think it's a pretty good idea. The problem with that is "Being certified and being Qualified are two different things"

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I am all about helping people that need a little nudge, or a quick, hey your motor is down, or guide them back. But to help someone that is that clueless doesnt seem like help at all, it seems like all you are doing is putting a fool out on the water, to do exactly the same stupid stuff on the water as he did at the ramp. AND my family is out there. The best help for a moron like this is to get them to park their boat and take them with you on your boat and "teach them the ropes" so to speak.

You arent allowed to drive a car unless you take a test and pass, you have to have a motorcycle endorsement to ride a motorcycle on the roads, but any idiot can hop in a boat and go. You mix inexperiance with a hothead and its a very bad combination.

People that can be taught are great. Jerks that cannot, shouldnt be on the water. But then you get the ones that seemingly know better, that during a VERY busy morning, tie up to the ramp dock and block it, when there is docking just 10 feet away so they can load up their crap and people. Or you get the ones driving an F350 pulling a jetski on a double ramp, backed right down the middle. They know how to operate their rig, and their watercraft, they just choose to be *****holes. Then get pissed when people say something to them. I had a guy loading 11 people along with a huge tube and all their junk in a Sea Ray 175 right on the ramp dock, blocking everybody. I just backed right down the ramp at them. They all started yelling at me asking if I was in a hurry or something. THIS AFTER I WAITED 30 MINUTES TO USE THE RAMP!!!! I yelled back, "NO I am not in a hurry, I just hate inconsiderate people, use the dock over there to overload your boat!!!" Their solution to being overloaded was to throw the huge tube off the back and stick 4 people on it and drag them out into the shipping channels. WOW, you just cant fix stupid.

 

[J. Howard]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I have a handy 12/0 weighted treble hook tied to a rod and reel for idiots like that. I have hooked a jet skier, set the hook, cut the line, hung him the bird and told him have a nice day. There is a whole lake and these idiots gets so close, if they report me, hey I was just fishing and they came into my cast zone. The rod and reel is carried at all times whether I am fishing, skiing, tubing, or just joyriding.

That's pretty disgusting of you. I hope you're joking. And if you are, it's not funny.

 

[superbenk]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I have a handy 12/0 weighted treble hook tied to a rod and reel for idiots like that. I have hooked a jet skier, set the hook, cut the line, hung him the bird and told him have a nice day. There is a whole lake and these idiots gets so close, if they report me, hey I was just fishing and they came into my cast zone. The rod and reel is carried at all times whether I am fishing, skiing, tubing, or just joyriding.

That's pretty disgusting of you. I hope you're joking. And if you are, it's not funny.

Agreed. I think that's taking it way too far. Violent vigilantism is a scary road to go down & one that I really don't want coming to any body of water I visit. Everyone makes mistakes & all it takes is for someone else to respond to that mistake in the fashion you're describing for things to get really hairy. I'm not condoning someone getting too close to your family that they put them in danger, but you don't have the right to inflict physical harm on them just to make a point. Call the ranger, cops, other authority figure and let them do their jobs.

 

[security6]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

If you are within casting distance of my boat going above a no wake speed, you are in a sense breaking the law. You are also putting my family in danger and it is up to me to protect my family and not rely on the intelligence of others. If I have a my 3 children swimming in the water while anchored and you can be hit with a treble hook from the boat, then you are too damn close! Bring on the civil lawsuit, the video camera, because there is always the countersuit! We have a video camera also. I am not by any means a confrontational person, but when you put my family in danger, I will protect them by any means possible!

Oh, and most people with MORAL sense don't drive their watercraft within casting distance of a boat! Morals has nothing to do with it, protecting a 5yo, 11yo and 17yo swimming is my priority, especially when there is another 1/4 to 1/2 mile of water between us.

I was taught that two wrongs don't make a right.

I fail to see how impaling someone with a hook is going to protect your family. Seems to me that putting a hook in someone is going to result in them paying LESS attention to driving their boat/PWC because they will be focused on trying to get the hook out.

 

[superpop]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

And don't fool yourself into thinking that a cop or ranger is going to believe that you just accidentally hooked a person or watercraft with your fishing pole, because they were in your casting range and it was an accident. And what if your hook ends up taking out an innocent passenger on the offending boat. That kind of attitude is more dangerous then the dummies who just don't know any better.

Agreed. I think that's taking it way too far. Violent vigilantism is a scary road to go down & one that I really don't want coming to any body of water I visit. Everyone makes mistakes & all it takes is for someone else to respond to that mistake in the fashion you're describing for things to get really hairy. I'm not condoning someone getting too close to your family that they put them in danger, but you don't have the right to inflict physical harm on them just to make a point. Call the ranger, cops, other authority figure and let them do their jobs.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I probably wouldn't throw a treble hook. But when you are waving your arms and pointing at your wife and skier down flag and you can see them smiling and coming straight at you and turn and miss you by only 10 feet and throws a wake that knocks your kid back in the water deserves something.

I know 2 wrongs don't make a right but I have never been acused of being in my right mind all the time.

I think the plastic water bottle was lenient, and as I was helping my wife get our half drowned daughter out of the water they came back yeling profanities and threats of physical harm to me and my family. If your close enough for me to jump on your boat when your calling my wife and daughter W@#$es and telling me what you think your going to do thats your own damn fault

I'm not trying to confrontational just honest

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

I do believe that the fish hook is way over the top and inappropriate response. Though I do also agree that knuckleheads that endanger others on the water need to be dealt with harshly.

When I am boating I keep at sharp eye out especially at WOT for others in the water. I try and give other boaters a wide birth and when I see swimmers and people relaxing I slow down so as not to create a large wake that could be detrimental to anyones safety or enjoyment. I know that is the way I would like to be treated as well.

After backing my boat off my trailer the first time out for a test run after buying her she cut out out on me. she had some bad fuel in her. Not much but it required that My friend and I swim her back into the dock and put her back on the trailer. We had to take her back up the road to to Lanier Marine where I purchased the boat to have the tank pumped which they did without any hesitation.

While we were swimming the boat back in (thankfully it wasn't too far) we saw another boater putting in. He asked us if we needed any help and we said yes. He looked at us and said "NO!". He had his kids on his boat and all. What a great example to set for them. I told my friend to make sure we never left anyone out on the water who was having trouble and to give them help if they needed it.

You see all types. I haven't been boating for very long the majority of people are extremely friendly and helpful. There are a select few that are A-holes. I don't let those people ruin my good day. I just truck on and enjoy it reminding myself that for every one of them there are many more good ones.

MacPointMan

 

[kailec00]

Re: The question is where do you draw the line on assistance?

My opinion, that does not mean anything by the way, is this:

Tswiczko is good to go. If a boat comes back, acts stupid and tries to start something then you step up and take care of business.

RobbyA has got to be kidding. Think maybe he was trying to make a joke or prove a point and it went wrong. If not then he becomes just like the boats or PWC that is to close and endangering others. It could endanger your family if you distract a driver with an hook in the skull who knows how he will turn the boat. Might be into yours.