Was I really going too fast?

[45Auto]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Doesn't matter where the channel is as long as he maintained at least 100' from the other boat. Sounds like he's saying he did and the water police were saying he didn't. 25thMustang did the best thing possible there, no way he was going to win that one.

If the other boat didn't want people boating within a few hundred feet of him, he should have picked a more isolated place to anchor ......

 

[nor2345]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Gosh, it doesn't seem to matter if your in a car, truck, motorcycle or boat, a#*holes seem to crop up! Wouldn't it be neat if they could get a ticket for what they are acting like? "Yes Your Honor, this guy was being an a#*hole."

 

[45Auto]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Wouldn't it be neat if they could get a ticket for what they are acting like? "Yes Your Honor, this guy was being an a#*hole."

Only problem with that approach is that EVERYBODY would have to go to court every day - no matter what you do, somebody somewhere is going to consider you an a#*hole.

Reasons discussed so far for being an a#*hole:

1) Coming off plane
2) Staying on plane
3) Going too slow
4) Going too fast
5) Having a big boat
6) Having a little boat

No way to make everybody happy all the time.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

The problem with using generalities when discussing navigational situations are that every situation is different and local authorities enforce thing differently.

The first thing that jumps out at me in your situation is that I don?t see any navigational markers on that map. Don?t confuse the river?s ?channel? with a navigational ?channel?. They are two different things and two different rules apply.

There is a navigational marker on shore before the first marina, on the outer edge of this stretch of water, and then another one a ways up river. This stretch of river is about the narrowest section you might encounter larger boats.

As for the 100', as stated it was close. My guess was a little more, his guess was a little less. I only saw maybe a dozen boats out, so they needed something to do, and I see no issue with them reminding me of the rules. I have and never would fight with law enforcement in a situation like this.

I agree, different scenarios make for different courses of action. My map is very close to accurate, from what I recall.

 

[Will Sea]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Am I missing something? "? 103.3. Restriction for special areas"

"Special areas" I don't believe this rule applies to boats anchored in channels. Unless there is a no wake zone or posted speed limit. I'm no lawyer but I think this 100 ft rule is for special areas zone (ex. mooring areas are special anchor areas). There is another rule that basically says that you are responsible for your wake and the damage it causes. If someone slips and gets hurt because of your wake 100, 200 or 300ft from them you can be held responsible

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Will Sea, my boss and I just read the regulation, I will have to go grab it again. I believe it only stated (for CT) that any boat within 100' of shore, dock, moored or anchored boats need to treat it as a no wake. Any jet ski 200' from these areas has to do the same.

I also weighed what my wake would do in this scenario. I felt my wake, although rocking him, wouldn't have caused damage or injury. There were 2 or 3 guys above decks, noone swimming etc. I don't know down below, but having the same boat (yes the boat I passed was a 29' Cruisers Inc) I thought of myself in his shoes, and would have only expected to get a wake had I been anchored there.

I'm weird though, as I enjoy boat wakes coming through.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

From the CT DEP site.

Restricted Operating Distances and Speed Areas
No person shall operate a vessel or cause a water-skier to pass
within one hundred feet of a flag, buoy or other device, marking the
location of an underwater swimmer or diver.

No person shall operate a motorboat, excluding a personal watercraft,
at a speed in excess of Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of shore, or
a dock, pier, float or anchored or moored vessel, unless taking off or
landing a water-skier.

No person shall operate a personal watercraft, at a speed in excess
of Slow-No-Wake within 200 feet of shore, or a dock, pier, float or
anchored or moored vessel, unless taking off or landing a water-skier.
When within 100 feet of buoys marking a restricted swimming area
or boat access area, vessels shall be operated at the minimum speed
necessary to maintain steerage.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I'm no lawyer but I think this 100 ft rule is for special areas zone

The "special areas" where the no wake rule applies are defined in the law. They are:

1) within 100' of the shoreline
2) within 100' of docks
3) within 100' of launching ramps
4) within 100' of swimmers or downed skiers
5) within 100' of persons wading in the water
6) within 100' of anchored, moored or drifting boats
7) within 100' of floats except for ski jumps and ski landing floats
8) within 100' of other areas so marked

In Pennsylvania 58PACode

? 103.3. Restriction for special areas.
(a) Boats are limited to slow, no wake speed when within 100 feet of the shore line; docks; launching ramps; swimmers or downed skiers; persons wading in the water; anchored, moored or drifting boats; floats, except for ski jumps and ski landing floats; or other areas so marked. This subsection does not apply in a zoned ski area or authorized ski return areas when those areas are found within the areas described in this subsection.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I'm weird though, as I enjoy boat wakes coming through.

Thought I was the only one. My girls think I'm weird for that reason too, but they already thought that so it's a nonissue.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Thought I was the only one. My girls think I'm weird for that reason too, but they already thought that so it's a nonissue.

My GF loves when we go over wakes of other boats. When I'm at the slip and a wake rolls through bigger than it should be, I sit back and relax.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

...
So what do you guys think in this scenario? I understand the rules of the road and how to be kind to others. But kindness is a two way street. Am I at fault (not just by law, but by morals, etc...) for not slowing down and passing by slowely, or is he at fault for anchoring in the channel, at the narrowest section of the river not really allowing anyone the room to pass by more than 100' away.
...

Both at fault, and neither at fault. Assuming you passed within 100 feet. But what the h311? Are you throwing a huge wake, enough to endanger the other boat? Doubt it -- fact you asked the question tells me you were most likely using good judgement.

Far as I can tell, he has every right to anchor there. But, anybody anchored there should know they are creating their own personal no-wake zone across the river. That's a Jerk with a capital "J".

Maybe he didn't know -- well, he should have. Did the officer stop & discuss this with the anchored boat? I doubt it. Now *that* would be a public service, if ya ask me. At least then he could make a deliberate decision to behave like an A$hole.

Besides which, if I'm anchored where there's likely to be boat traffic, I expect to get waked ever now & then. (I don't do that, usually. Regs in my jurisdiction give us a 50-foot margin.)

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I did feel I was in the "right" but at the same time understand it was close enough to the right/wrong distance that the cop felt it was wrong. In case it adds anything to the discussion, as I drove back past the anchored boat, two other boats went by him. A 26'er on plane, and a 20' bowrider plowing water throwing a larger wake then plane. The 20'er was on the other side of the anchored boat.

Once again, I try and use my best judgement. I don't go out on the boat to cause trouble or ruin someones day. I'm out there enjoying myself, and will do what I can to try and help out with other peoples enjoyment. I just enjoy reading what others think on the situation.

Planning to take the boat out this busy weekend for a raft-up/fireworks show. That should bring about a whole new set of obstacles. LOL