How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

[300sflyer]

Perhaps there should be a speed limit on the water? These two people [father and son] are lucky to be alive!

http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/home/quick_work_by_doctors_saves_boat_crash_victim/48fa7606

 

[mnewb1]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

As a new boater, I have found myself slowing down as I approach a large wake. Is this common practice or novice cautiousness. This story might suggest I am on the right track.

 

[badkins50]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

They are extremely lucky those doctors were around. That guy could have very easy lost his father.

mnewb1 - I do slow down to a safe speed when I have the wife and kids on board and the wake is large.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

My wife and I drove our boat past the accident scene later that day, and seeing the bow sticking straight up out of the water was shocking to say the least.

Apparently this boat was capable of speeds in excess of 100 MPH. WAY TOO FAST in my opinion, especially on a crowded lake on a holiday weekend!

 

[45Auto]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Apparently this boat was capable of speeds in excess of 100 MPH. WAY TOO FAST in my opinion

I agree, nobody shoulod have any reason to go any faster than 20 or 30 MPH on the water.

Same thing with cars. No reason at all for any car to be able to go faster than the speed limit. There's even a few cars out there capable of OVER 100 MPH. Why do they need that?

Did you read the bottom part of the article you referenced, about all the kids drowning in the pools? There's no need for pools in my opinion, if you can afford a pool then you can afford air conditioning. Very few kids are killed by air conditioners.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

We have speed limits on our roads and highways, which work well for the most part, but there are NOT any speed limits on our lakes. Anyone in a speed boat with lots of HP, [and the $ to do it] can go as fast as they wish... Not right IMO.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

I agree, nobody shoulod have any reason to go any faster than 20 or 30 MPH on the water.

Same thing with cars. No reason at all for any car to be able to go faster than the speed limit. There's even a few cars out there capable of OVER 100 MPH. Why do they need that?

Did you read the bottom part of the article you referenced, about all the kids drowning in the pools? There's no need for pools in my opinion, if you can afford a pool then you can afford air conditioning. Very few kids are killed by air conditioners.

I hope you are joking.

It all comes down to being responsible. Should they be doing this on a crowded lake on a holiday weekend? Absolutely not. Should they be allowed to do it in a controlled enviroment? I think yes. I love fast cars, fast boats, fast bikes. In responsible hands they are a blast. Head out to the track and race, or to an empty lake and open it up. I stopped driving fast things about a year ago when I bought my CJ5, and I sold my fast boat years ago. There just wasnt enough places around here to play so it is no fun looking at them sitting in the garage.

The fact is, if you are willing to go that fast in a boat, you are willing to take on that risk. As long as it doesnt hurt anyone else.

Most rivers and lakes here in Florida do have speed limits. Its a manatee thing ya know.

 

[JimS123]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Our waterfront summer home is on the main channel of the Saint Lawrence River in Northern NY. We used to sit on our porch on weeknds (when boat traffic was the highest) and watch the idiots drive by at speeds that endangered the lives of others. For that reason, many of the locals preferred to boat only during the week.

Although we personally only saw 2 collisions, they were quite frequent. Speed wasn't the only factor. You could be sure that the guy doing the hitting was drunk as well. It was also more common to read that the accident occurred after dark.

About 15 years ago, a speed limit WAS enacted. 30 mph day and 15 mph night. The "restricted" waters are only where homes and cottages line the river's edge, and where it sometimes becomes wall-to-wall boats. We have 4 police agencies in the area and they patrol heavily. The fines are steep and they show no mercy...LOL.

Accidents have dropped dramatically. The only nightime accidents you hear about are when someone hits a rock shoal and their boat needs to be rescued.

IMHO, speed limits are long overdue in areas where there is heavy boat traffic. In our case, all you have to do is travel 10 miles up or down river and you will be outside the speed limit. There the river gets up to 5 miles wide and you can do whatever you want without anyone else to terrorize.

 

[45Auto]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Perhaps there should be a speed limit on the water? These two people [father and son] are lucky to be alive!

Sounds like to me that 300sflyer is talking about an overall speed limit on all water, not just local areas. Similar to the speed limit on freeways and interstates. I have a hard time believing that he's not aware that there currently are no-wake zones and speed limits where they are appropriate. If he's talking about adding speed limits to some particlar area of Lake Simcoe (where the accident happened), it would be helpful if he stated where he is referring to.

If you really want to make a difference in boating safety, ban alchohol on boats.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Sounds like to me that 300sflyer is talking about an overall speed limit on all water, not just local areas. Similar to the speed limit on freeways and interstates. I have a hard time believing that he's not aware that there currently are no-wake zones and speed limits where they are appropriate. If he's talking about adding speed limits to some particlar area of Lake Simcoe (where the accident happened), it would be helpful if he stated where he is referring to.

If you really want to make a difference in boating safety, ban alchohol on boats.

Sorry if I was not clear. I was referring to speed limits on all public open waterways, just like our highways.

If a particular area of a lake is closed due to an organized boat race, then I have no problem with that... Go as fast as you like. The general boating public is then not in danger.

As a boater for more than 20 years, I am well aware of no wake zones.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

In relation to the story posted above...

Should the boater whose wake caused this be held responsible? Technically, as has been pointed out before, your wake is an extension of your boat. If someone wants to hit it at that speed, is it your responsability to make sure your wake will allow it? I bring this up because there is a LOT of confusion out there as to when you should be slowing to no wake speeds or not.

BTW I believe our river has a speed limit. It is 45 mph if I am recalling correctly. Not a worry for me as I will never hit that speed, lol.

 

[45Auto]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

I don't know about Canada, but every US state already has laws against negligent or unsafe boating (speed too fast for conditions) as well as no-wake zones and speed limits where they are deemed necessary.

I see no benefit to a law putting speed limits on a boater in the middle of a huge lake (bigger than many states) with nobody else in sight.

Does Canada already have universal snowmobile and aircraft speed limits?

 

[QC]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Careful with the politics on this one guys.

With that said, PLEASE be careful what you wish for . . . Boating is still one of the best examples we have of our freedom. Let's leave it alone. Negligence laws and Lawyers can keep us in check.

BTW, I had an idiot fly by me just two weeks ago at around 70. Probably within 30 ft., very crowded area, river bank on one side of me and a Sand Bar 500 ft. to the other side, on a corner, with wakes and boat traffic. I was at idle, but I would have normally gone through there about 25 MPH. He could've taken out all of his passengers and three other boats if anything went wrong. I was wishing for a Cop really bad as he was breaking laws even without a speed limit.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

In Ohio many lakkes have horse power limits, that is almost equivalent to a speed limit. In many cases I feel that they should not be there. This is the equivalent of punishing responsible boaters for the ineptitude of non-responsible boaters.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Last I heard, there were charges pending against the driver of the boat. The police were still interviewing witnesses at that time. I will post an update when I hear what happens.

 

[Billdc]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

I have been boating for only two years but I don't think I've ever heard of a speed related injury to anyone outside of the boat involved. IMO, if you have the cash to go fast, have at it. I boat on the Chesapeake bay and there are no-wake zones in the high traffic areas. There are several boats in the area capable of 150+ MPH and they are just as deserving to be out there as my bowrider or the jetskiers.
I hope 45auto is joking. Ban my swimming pool, not on your life.

 

[Philster]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Speed limits constrain the people who are responsible.

Knuckleheads will still do dumb things. They'll just be illegal.

Safety equipment,including vehicle design, is the only reason survival rates are holding or improving.

I don't feel bad for the captain -- maybe the passenger, if he really didn't want to go so fast over waves/wakes.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

I agree, nobody shoulod have any reason to go any faster than 20 or 30 MPH on the water.

For one thing if I only went 30 on the water it would take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get to my fishing holes. Don't get me wrong, I observe all no-wake zones and slow down to no-wake speed when near boats at anchor, or whenever conditions warrant. I'm not in any way shape or form advocating stupidity in a boat, but darn, if I followed your logic I might as well sell my Checkmate and get a trolling motor powered pontoon.

There's no need for pools in my opinion, if you can afford a pool then you can afford air conditioning. Very few kids are killed by air conditioners.

Yes, but way too many kids spend their life indoors in front of televisions and their health is negatively effected. Might as well do away with baseball, football, soccer, and hockey also.

 

[Philster]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

45Auto was being sarcastic,folks.

No homes should be constructed with staircases, since people fall and die on them from time to time.

Amusement parks? About 3-5 people die per year. 200 million visits and hundreds of injuries and a few deaths. Unacceptable.

Life is too dangerous. Outlaw everything that ever killed someone.

 

[45Auto]

Re: How Fast is Too Fast? / VERY Lucky!

Might as well do away with baseball, football, soccer, and hockey also.

Only the physical part where there's a chance they might get hurt or have to take some personal responsibility.

They'll still be able to enjoy playing baseball, football, soccer, hockey, etc, on their Nintendo or Playstation.

EDIT: You beat me to the reply, Phil .....