Re: OOOOOOOOO!!!!! That hurt
I believe you are supposed to drop to "no wake" when passing under any bridge, in the channel or not. If not the law, it should be, and it's a good safety rule in any event. And pulling someone under a bridge is worse, and definitely would get you a ticket for reckless boating if not specifically proscribed.
One also shouldn't run at high speeds parallel to a bridge. I've watched morons in large boats (30') running at 40MPH+ between a double bridge (I was driving my car on the bridge and could judge his speed).
And as for you tea-totallers, do what you want on your boat but don't be so judgmental. There is a world of difference between having a drink and getting drunk--the same difference as driving under a bridge "no wake" and driving under a bridge WOT. The boaters around here (this forum) are responsible and know that.
However, my opinion, around impressionable teenagers who don't have good judgment, you should set a good example by foregoing that cold beer while running your boat, even if it's just one. They can't discern the difference. My children are third generation motor boat operators and I did it differently than my dad in this respect--and he was the most responsible guy out there.
