Why don't most boats have mirrors?

[southkogs]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

It is indeed an ugly mental picture, and it would make sense for "pleasure" boats to all be fitted with mirrors, and for the rules to be changed so that they only need to use horn signals when overtaking larger vessels.

In my experience the mirror only gives a limited scope of visibility behind the boat. In a car, I rely on 3 mirrors (center, left and right) to gather a complete situational awareness of what's behind me. A ski mirror is too limited to offer a view like that, and boats can approach from too many directions.

Signal usage has not been altered over the years because the primary users of waterways still find signals to be better for use than anything else: oddly, even radios. If you're running so hot, hard and close in that you can't scan 360? of water with your head; you're probably doing something very wrong. Having a mirror is fine, they're easy to add. Relying on one in the water ... not really a good idea.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

I'm curious, how many of the above have driven a boat with mirrors?

In other words, don't knock it until you try it! You would think they would be unusable because of the motion, or the field of view would be worthless... Neither is further from the truth. My boat has a factory mirror, and rides EXTREMELY rough. The mirror is a much welcomed addition on a busy river, I'm often watching for overtaking boats.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

A ski mirror is too limited to offer a view like that, and boats can approach from too many directions.

Huh??? Most good ski mirrors cover nearly 180 degrees behind the boat. They are EXTREMELY convex. Most of the decent ones also have two additional side mirrors that can be aimed independently. Set up correctly, there is a no way a skier can hide behind a boat, which means almost 180 coverage.

 

[QC]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

I just want to clarify my post:

The question was "why don't most boats have mirrors?" So I answered that with what I thought was a likely reason.

1) I am not against mirrors, and

2) I am certainly not against turning around to take a peek at what is happening behind you.

3) I agree with smoke regarding typical, good ski mirrors

Carry on . . .

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Mirrors are of little use on a rolling, pitching boat. If you want to be and stay safe, your head had BETTER be on a swivel, and you'd better be constantly looking around you.

My .02

I agree. a driver in an ski boat is different b/c he's sitting in a fixed seat, flat water, single purpose,narrow area of concern behind him. The rest of us are moving all around and haev stuff going on in all directions. As I said, my mirror is just there so if something is approaching it will catch my eye; it's not a substitute for turning around.

And I am on a very busy harbor/bay full of commercial and recreational vessels of all sizes. As a rule, no one used the horn to signal overtaking--from the inexperienced to the professional. I will, however, sometimes give word on 16.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Even a little 3 inch convexed mirror can show you alot for a quik glance, even a delapitated garage following you.:facepalm: Was one of the first things that went in on my boat. Not a ski boat and not sitting while driving most times, so it is positioned pretty high. Its nice to be able to glance behind me and watch my wake or some bikinis if nothing else. But its not there for navigation, pretty much useless for that. Why use a mirror when you can use radar.

 

[Myrtonos]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

In my experience the mirror only gives a limited scope of visibility behind the boat. In a car, I rely on 3 mirrors (center, left and right) to gather a complete situational awareness of what's behind me. A ski mirror is too limited to offer a view like that, and boats can approach from too many directions.

That depends on the waterway, on large lakes and on high seas, boats can indeed approach from any direction whethever you are, but on inland waterways, such as rivers and canals, vessels are mostly ahead of you or behind you, or cmoing towards you, just like on the road, and only at waterway junctions (such as river confuences) does one encounter vessels from any other direction. It seems to me that waterway junctions (even between two canals or a river and a canal) are always uncotrolled.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

With only 1 lane for all directions. What good is it for boats approaching from both sides at the same time at any speed possible ?

I am wiser now. NO boating with the weekend people. They are very short on time to cram a week of fun, into 2 to 6 hours.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

I'm curious, how many of the above have driven a boat with mirrors?

I have, pretty much useless. I especially like the comment about not looking behind because you're only responsible for forward and starboard. Seriously? Don't look back because you're not responsible for what's behind? Where I boat there are times your head better be on a swivel, and I always considered my first responsibility to be avoiding the freakin accident in the first place ... :facepalm:

 

[Myrtonos]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

I have, pretty much useless. I especially like the comment about not looking behind because you're only responsible for forward and starboard.

What about less maneurverable vessels approaching from the port.

Seriously? Don't look back because you're not responsible for what's behind? Where I boat there are times your head better be on a swivel, and I always considered my first responsibility to be avoiding the freakin accident in the first place ... :facepalm:

So why do boaters need to know if someone is overtaking them if they aren't legally responsible?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

So why do boaters need to know if someone is overtaking them if they aren't legally responsible?

1. The vessel being overtaken is legally obligated to 'stand on' (maintain course).

2. Knowing what's going on around one at all times helps one to stay alive.

As for 'less maneuverable' vessels, depends on what type of vessel it is and how it's being used. A sailboat strictly under sail, has right of way under all situations except if it's overtaking another boat. If the sailboat has a motor that's running, or is using a combination of power and sail, it is then legally a powerboat, and powerboat rules apply.

Commercial fishing trawlers, towed barges, etc. generally have right of way- I'm not as up on those individual rules because I don't encounter those situations and haven't taken the course in awhile.

In my area, I do 'cross swords' with a lot of Fire Island ferry traffic. Legally, they're supposed to give way when the rules dictate it, but they're big, fast and on a schedule. If you're the smaller boat you'd better just skedaddle.

Myrtonos, if you honestly don't know these things, please take a safe boating course. You need it.
As a member, I highly recommend the US Power Squadrons (usps.org).

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

before we start hauling out the rule books, the whole navigation system is based on one rule: everyone must do what he can to avoid a collision, or a sudden change in speed/direction to avoid one. What the rules do, is establish predictability. Based on the rules, I know that this boat will do one thing and that boat, another, and as between a possible conflict, which boat will make the move to avoid it. The best example is the overtaking situation: everyone involved knows the boat in front is going to hold course and everyone else acts accordingly.

Second basic concept is there is no "right of way." The rules determine who keeps a course and who moves, that's all. The boat that doesn't move doesn't have any "rights" in fact, he has the obligation to hold course.

Of course it all falls apart when the unknowledgeable do the unpredictable. Seems no one knows to pass port to port.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Lets cut to the bottom line as the corporrations do.

If HIGHLY TRAINED & EXPERIENCED cruise ship, super tanker & container captains crash & sink in the BIG ocean........

You better damm well AVOID the accident with the JERK !!
People DO NOT wear life jackets in good weather & they drown VERY FAST.

Do as you please.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Why would you need mirrors. i can look 360 around me boat on every boat ive bin on i can. you shouldn't be that close to another boat that you can't look away for a few seconds to look behind you. usaally boats are open. even with a cabin i can still turn my head and see whats going on be hind me.

 

[raymondpickens]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-Regal-2100-Lsr-98800819

here is your boat! lol

 

[Myrtonos]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Why would you need mirrors. i can look 360 around me boat on every boat ive bin on i can. you shouldn't be that close to another boat that you can't look away for a few seconds to look behind you. usaally boats are open. even with a cabin i can still turn my head and see whats going on be hind me.

Others have said you don't know until you have tried it. It makes it quicker doesn't it.

The vessel being overtaken is legally obligated to 'stand on' (maintain course).

Do you really mean that, for example, a vessel overtaken on the port is not to veer to the port?

And I saw that 1997 Regal does have side mirrors but not a rearview.

Still, the most strange thing about boating I know of way horn signals are used, you sound the horn to indicate turning, and on which side you are passing another vessel. Crazy, isn't it? Is botaing a predominantly visual task like driving is? In which case a visual signal is more intuative as long as one is signalling to another skipper who can see your vessel (such as when two boats are facing each other). But I can see why the horn might be useful when overtaking, as the driver of the boat ahead cannot see your unless their boat has mirrors, in which case they can only see you if you can see their mirrors.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Myrtonos, this discussion thread barely scratches the surface of what you need to know. And if I were you, I would not take advice given on a public forum, as gospel. Home Cookin' really cut to the chase- read his post above.

Take a class, please.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Second basic concept is there is no "right of way." The rules determine who keeps a course and who moves, that's all. The boat that doesn't move doesn't have any "rights" in fact, he has the obligation to hold course.

You stated the underlying concept better than I did. Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

Why would you need mirrors. i can look 360 around me boat on every boat ive bin on i can. you shouldn't be that close to another boat that you can't look away for a few seconds to look behind you. usaally boats are open. even with a cabin i can still turn my head and see whats going on be hind me.

I am pleased to agree with SBL!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why don't most boats have mirrors?

I think the rectangular ski mirrors are useful when towing people for watersports, but I don't generally use it much otherwise. The most useless mirrors I've ever tried to use are the ones on jetskis. They are normally poorly positioned so that you end up looking at your knees or those of your passenger. They also don't provide much help directly behind you or far off to the side. The final dagger, is that jet skis (like motorcycles) lean a lot when making even small direction changes, so one mirror ends up looking at water, and the other at sky. The ONLY reason mirrors even started showing up on jetskis is so that they can "comply" with the mirror rule for towables, but the rule does not specify that the equipment be particularly useful, lol. That being said, we have a nice ski mirror on the runabout, and use the jetski for occasional towing as well. It's easier to tell where someone is/if they fell on a jet ski by sheer feel than it is to use the mirrors.