do people have no clue?

[bluechips]

Have you ever been out canoeing on a lake, Jugling a fishing line and a paddle at the same time. When some guy in his 18+foot deep v comes cruising along on plain. Then for some unknown reason slows down as he goes by you, then speed back up again. Causing you to do some drastic manuvering as his biggass wake comes heading your way.<br /><br />this is a common ocurance for me on the lakes, usually happens a few times day. Are people doing this on purpose, or are they actually just that dumb? why dont they just keep on plain?<br /><br /> I'm a verry good canoeist and Ive been in white water on pupose many times, so thoes bag wakes dont really faze me. I actually find it kind fun. <br /> But what about some kid whos just learning to paddle and cant manuver fast enough, or dosnt know how to take a big wave. I see it no different than driving through a puddle with your car and spraying a pedestrian.

 

[fishmaycraft]

Re: do people have no clue?

Yep, they think they are being nice by slowing down. I guess you have to give them a little credit for trying.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: do people have no clue?

Credit for trying???? <br />Makes me wanna cast a 2 ounce lead sinker at them!!!!!<br /> Same here....We get these guys that go by the boat ramp or where your fishing that think they are doing you a favor by slowing down to biggest dam asss wake they can make....never looking over their shoulder until they think they are past you and go full bore again. The way I look at it is idle speed or full bore, usually neither one of these produces much of a wake at all.

 

[magster65]

Re: do people have no clue?

Nah, I think there's more inconsiderate boaters than any other motor vehicle. I'm at a marina where there is 2 other marinas further in the inlet, I'd say half the idiots go by plowing (seemingly) as much water as they can. They have no clue... they're not trying to be clueless, it came naturally.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: do people have no clue?

i'd hafta agree with you magster. i think when it comes to wake, it seems 90% of small craft owners have no clue. (i mean <22ft )<br />who am i kidding- this goes for all inland boaters <br /><br />but this is where people who've skiied or wakeboarded have understanding others may not...

 

[lakelover]

Re: do people have no clue?

Many, many years ago, while taking the approved New York State boating safety course, we were taught to slow down while passing by canoes, rowboats, sailboats. I don't know if they still teach it that way or not. It didn't take me long to realize that my wake was smaller at WOT than at slower speeds, just stay a safe distance.

 

[bluechips]

Re: do people have no clue?

my eyes just rolled so far they fell out of my sockets. You meen thay actualy taught you to slow down? Sure if you were drivng a big dispalcement vessle. but not a small craft.<br /><br />It should be getting a little safer here on the water. you now have to take a coast gaurd certified trianing course and test to get a small craft operater liscence.<br /><br />I dont see a need for me to take it, but I'll get around to it and make it oficial. A guy I know, my ex boy scout leader from 10 years ago works with the BC coast gaurd. so I Already know way more than a 6 hour course and a multiple guess test can teach me.

 

[bayman]

Re: do people have no clue?

As long as people can keep their distance then I'd much rather have them on the plane.<br /><br />It's those times when they get too close that I'd rather deal with the wake than have them hit me at full speed. I've seen plenty of photos of high-speed collisions and they aren't pretty. Almost always there are several fatalities.<br /><br />For canoeing I generally prefer the small lakes where there aren't any other boats. <br /><br />When looking at the statistics, canoes and kayaks aren't as safe as most larger boats.<br /><br />- bayman

 

[thornious]

Re: do people have no clue?

I might be wrong but I took the boaters safety course here in Pa last year and we were taught to slow down as well. I have been taught that ever since I was a kid too. I don't think they are to be inconsiderate but, more likely they are thinking about you. Sorry I will think of this next time when I passing a smaller boat. Thanks for the tip. I can definitely say I have never heard that before.

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: do people have no clue?

I second that. I too was taught to slow down for small boats, kayaks, canoes, fishermen and sailboats. I really didn't have an idea that advice was wrong. My apologies.<br />As long as it's safe, I wouldn't mind staying on plane. But then I might upset those who were taught that bigger boats are supposed to slow down for them. You can't win.<br />But this is a good tip, thanks for the thread.<br /><br />Lou

 

[magster65]

Re: do people have no clue?

They should teach to reduce the stern wave. I think the idea of slowing down was to reduce the risk of collision in tight areas.

 

[dkhntr]

Re: do people have no clue?

Yup, I used to be one of those guys. They are just being considerate. Now I just stay way clear of any boat just near the edge. I will still slow down but way before if I am piched off by another boat. <br /><br />You are right, the wake is huge, but they are TRYING to be nice. Stupid but nice.

 

[muskyone]

Re: do people have no clue?

thats what i was taught in boaters safty and thats what i'm going to do i get harrased enough from the dnr not going to give them another reason

 

[JasonJ]

Re: do people have no clue?

I don't know about everyone elses lake, but here if you are within 100 feet of small craft like canoes and kayaks or the shore, you go to no wake speed. Of course, common sense dictates that you just stay away from small craft. I will say that they have a bad habit of just popping out of nowhere. I do think it is bad to call people who slow down "idiots", because I think most boaters just do not feel like going to jail because they hit a canoe-ist while going too fast. Here is another hint to all you canoe and kayak users: If you are going to use the same water as larger craft, you have to take the responsibility of the risk you take. Don't just paddle your way out into an area that you know has a lot of boats and then complain when they are trying to either obey the law or keep from killing you. The boaters are doing their part by slowing to a speed that can allow them to manuever away from a small craft, you have to do your part by being proficient enough to handle the wakes generated by those boats. The Sheriffs on my lake would have your ass if they saw you speeding past small craft, especially if they where fairly close. Thats the problem now-a-days, no one wants to take personal responsibility for their actions. If you don't like wakes, don't go where power boats go.

 

[bluechips]

Re: do people have no clue?

jasonj <br /><br />ive been up to lesser slave lake few time and thats a huge lake, about 30km at its widest and about 80km long. and people still fly up the shore line. slow down when they get to you, and speed back up again. thats what im gettting at, i dont know why they do this<br /><br />not in situations where you have an overcrowed small lake, where yes slowing down to a good manuvering speed so you dont run into people is a good thing.<br /><br />--------<br />not that it makes a diference on lesser slave lake though. if you go out thier on a canoe, you expect big waves just becuase it a huge lake. ive heard of 5+ footers on that lake

 

[JasonJ]

Re: do people have no clue?

Bluechips, I don't know why people feel they need to go fast near shore, its not the brightest thing to do, what with the higher probability of submerged objects, boast leaving private docks, people swimming from private docks, and fo course, people who canoe or kayak. My lake is about 44 mile long by about 15 miles wide, yet people do the same thing here. Personally, I stay away from shore until I get to where I am going. Common sense does not come with boat purchase I guess. All I can say is to emphasize my original point, which is that a person who chooses to utilze an undersized craft in a known highly trafficed boating area is taking the responsibility that comes with the choice to put ones self in danger. We all can only count on ourselves in the end, and just remember, that boater is probably half drunk, you still want him speeding by you?

 

[bluechips]

Re: do people have no clue?

only half drunk? ive seen guys after a day on the lake. who cant walk from from the dock to thier truck.<br /><br />police are getting picky about that up here now. a guy can loos his car drivers liscence over driving any motor vehicle drunk. snomobiles, boats, atvs, dirt bikes etc. I personaly know a guy in that predicment, well its his own dooing i figure.

 

[muskyone]

Re: do people have no clue?

in wi it's no wake 100 ft from anything shore or other craft

 

[KenOhki]

Re: do people have no clue?

well lets see here,, I agree most boaters do not understand the ramifications of driving there boat around others. I have to stand on the side of the room with the people who were taught/trained to slow down when passing any boat, weather powered or not, Large or small. However. Were that boater to slow down at a suficiant distance, there should be no problem and minimume wake, Comming off plane does cause a big wake I agree, But tell that to the game warden wile he is writing your tail up for not slowing down.

 

[CatCruzer]

Re: do people have no clue?

I know here in KY your are required to slow down, when passing a small water craft. Also here your are responsible for your wake.