Was I really going too fast?

[massimofinance]

In the Long Island Sound, in the Greenwich, CT waters, off Belle Haven and in between two small islands, every weekend there are 4,5 boats tied up all together, side by side. 2 bertram style 30 footers, and some smaller round abouts. In order to take a short cut to a nice little bay where everyone water skis, you need to go by this flotilla. The area is not a no wake zone. Despite that, I backed way off the throttle before passing this flotilla, (50 feet away or so) to just barely moving, less than 5 knots. This one guy on the larger boat starts to wave his arms, as if I am going too fast. I was not creating a wake at all. I notched it back (although I knew he was wrong, I wanted to be a nice fellow boater) and the boat popped into neutral: meaning I could not go any slower. I assume he just had a few too many and was in the mood to be a jerk, but it got me thinking. They are NOT parked in a no wake zone and trying to tell people to not pass by? Really? you own the water? Just curious what is proper here... Thx.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I do not the area that well... but around here...if there are party boats tied up in a spot that can get wavy due to traffic.. OH WELL!

The only other thing i worry about with those guys is sometimes they dive as well..if someone is in the water I would have waved as well.. but to tell someone to slow down in the open ocean or bay that is not a NO WAKE zone???..WHATEVER! Certainly, not being a jerk is a good thing and being safe and keeping those around you safe is always top priority.

Because i know myself very well..I would have driven up to him and asked if he was waving you in becasue he had a question...and listened to what he wanted to say... I would have accessed my response after I heard him..probably not going to go well if he is a jerk but who knows maybe he wanted to invite you over??...hahahah not a chance!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

if you weren't throwing a wake, you weren't going too fast. period.

waving both arms over your head...isn't that generally recognized as a distress signal? maybe he needed a tow? or wanted to send you out for beverages? jus kiddin with all those boats they don't need to flag somebody down

maybe he knew of some new hazard in the area...

ought not to anchor in a narrow passage anyway and if they do, should expect to get rocked now & then.

 

[Hawk Eyes]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

This should help answer your question.

While vessels under 1600 GT are not specifically required to manage their speed in regards to wake, they are still required to operate in a prudent matter which does not endanger life, limb, or property (46 USC 2302). Nor do the Navigation Rules exonerate any vessel from the consequences of neglect (Rule 2), which, among other things, could be unsafe speeds (Rule 6), improper lookout (Rule 5), or completely ignoring your responsibilities as prescribed by the Navigation Rules.

As to whether or not a particular vessel is responsible for the damage it creates is a question of law and fact that is best left to the Courts. For more information, contact your local Marine Patrol or State Boating Law Administrator.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

They are NOT parked in a no wake zone. (50 feet away or so)

Ayuh,... Anytime you are within 100' of another boat, land, or an obstruction,...
You're in a No Wake zone....

 

[joebob14]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Like bondo said any time you are within 100 feet of a parked vessel you are in a no wake zone wether its marked that way or not. If they are parked inside a marked channel then I would certainly let them know about it. The basic princaple is it is your job to wach out for other boaters no matter how stupid they are being. I have probblems all the time with large boats passing my small boat. my boat is 14 ft with 15 hp and Ive had 60 ft yaghts pass me running wide open and nearly flip my boat. Only once have I seen the sherrif stop them for doing it but the point is just because I have a smaller boat dosnt give them the right to endanger me or my passengers.

 

[Red Snappa]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Like bondo said any time you are within 100 feet of a parked vessel you are in a no wake zone wether its marked that way or not. If they are parked inside a marked channel then I would certainly let them know about it. The basic princaple is it is your job to wach out for other boaters no matter how stupid they are being. I have probblems all the time with large boats passing my small boat. my boat is 14 ft with 15 hp and Ive had 60 ft yaghts pass me running wide open and nearly flip my boat. Only once have I seen the sherrif stop them for doing it but the point is just because I have a smaller boat dosnt give them the right to endanger me or my passengers.

The old adage says: tonnage rules

 

[keelhauled]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I got hailed by a docked cruiser on the VHF over the weekend for going 'too fast' in a no wake zone...

... at idle.

Some people are just jerks. Nothing you can really do about it. I just smile and wave.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Just thank God y'all aren't in Florida where you have No Wake Zones, Idle Speed Zones and Manatee Zones. Christ, Manatees are so numerous there is no way those critters should be on the endangered species list. Besides I'll be glad when the last one dies so we can drive our boats fast once again.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Well, there's "legal", and there's "right", and they aren't always the same.

In my state, "no wake" means "headway speed" -- and I think that's straight from the USCG inland rules of the road. Is it different in Long Island Sound?

Lots of boaters who want to be polite (when not in a posted NWZ) will back off the throttle until they're plowing through half on plane. Which of course throws the biggest wake their boat can make. I'd much rather you just blast through at WOT, when conditions (and regs) allow. True planing hulls only, of course.

 

[shrew]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

It sounds like you never actually had an exchange with the boats rafted up. 50ft. can be close. Like bondo said 100ft. from any other vessel, raft, anchorage, mooring field, swimming area or shore is automatically a no wake zone. Some states, like NH is 150 ft.

How deep was the water you were running in? For all you know they were in 15ft of water. At a 7:1 scope that is 105ft. of anchor line. Maybe he was concerned that you were operating too close to the bow anchors?

Just a thought.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

These type of scenarios pose real questions for a lot of boaters. I see a LOT of people rafted up, beached, anchored, etc... in areas not designated as no wake. They usually have people on the boat and in the water, and 90% of them are smaller boats. I do what I can to show them courtesy and will slow, or remain at no wake if and when possible. To me it becomes an issue when they are one or two small boats, out in the middle of a non desingated no wake zone. Does every passing boat have to come to a no wake for these individuals? I understand the rules, but at the same token I am a nice guy and try to do what I can to make everyone's day enjoyable.

I can't comment on this situation. If you were truly going at a steerage no wake speed, just above plane, I can't imagine why this guy would have motioned to you like he did. Also 50' is VERY close. Your talking a couple of boat lengths in distance. Did the gentleman say anything as you passed? 50' seems close enough to me for the two of you to have a quick exchange of words (not in a mean way necessarily) as to what he is concerned about.

Your best bet is to be respectful to others on the water. If you feel the need to slow, then slow. If you seem to not be pleasing everyone else, and want to continue to try and be kind, you can do as you did, slow up as much as possible, and then continue on.

Or you could "hammer down", with no regard to no wake zones, other boaters or anything... Kidding of course.

 

[Philster]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I have no patience for people who want to sit in the narrow channel and suffocate boat traffic. I try to stay far away, but I've blown by plenty at about 50' distance and WOT. Barely rocked them. Mistake? Sure, but sitting in the intercoastal waterway is dumb move number one.

Around here, fishermen think they are the holy boaters, and guys with fast boats are seen as crude and ignorant of the rules, but I've seen equal am'ts of stupidity both ways.

I didn't know the 100 feet rule. I figured the rule was something along the lines of 'a safe distance'.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Ayuh,... Anytime you are within 100' of another boat, land, or an obstruction,...
You're in a No Wake zone....

Right on Bondo. I am glad that someone pointed this out.

I didn't know the 100 feet rule. I figured the rule was something along the lines of 'a safe distance'.

I am always surprised by the amount of people that don't know this rule. Philster - I am not picking on you, your comment just proved my point perfectly. (No hard feelings?)



July 4th weekend I was anchored in 5' ft of water in a cove within 200' of the land in about 5' of water and near 5+ other boats nearby. I can't tell you how many times 3 different boats pulling kids on tubes came between me and the land. Clearly breaking the rule both ways. They even waved at me like they weren't doing anything wrong. I assumed that they were not aware of the rule they way they were acting. In my opinion, boats pulling water skiers and tubers can be the worst as they just want calm water and don't care who else is around.

Now if you are anchoring in a channel, I believe you are wrong and shouldn't be doing that unless you are in an emergency situation. However, in a calm cove or anchorage, there is no reason to be blasting by people so close.

Sorry for ranting, this is one of my biggest pet peeves with boaters.

 

[Philster]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

No hard feelings at all. I admit when I don't know something. After about 35 years on the water (I am 43), I still learn new things.

I've taken numerous boating courses and one long one recently when moving and still didn't know the 100' rule. Either way, I would not do something blatantly ignorant to endanger others...Or think I am kind and come down below planing speed and drive a massive bow wave and rolling wake past boats that were sitting.

I've sat in numerous places, barely rocked by boats on plane at 40+ MPH and withing 50' of me, and then someone rolls by at 15 MPH, not on plane and I got rocked and battered.

I had engine trouble years back and was forced to drop anchor in a channel, so I did so at the edge, only to have some fishing boat loudspeaker me, "DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE ANCHORED IN THE CHANNEL?" His speed? Well, in his planing hull boat, he was below planing speed and all I saw was a the underside of his bow and that classic bow wave and rolling wake.

Yeah, that helped a lot.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

...
I had engine trouble years back and was forced to drop anchor in a channel, so I did so at the edge, only to have some fishing boat loudspeaker me, "DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE ANCHORED IN THE CHANNEL?" His speed? Well, in his planing hull boat, he was below planing speed and all I saw was a the underside of his bow and that classic bow wave and rolling wake.

Yeah, that helped a lot.

ok, but the loudspeaker, how cool is that? I mean, how often do ya get the chance to show that off?

gotta get me one a those.....

 

[Philster]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Love the loudspeaker. Would have been really cool if it were something like, "Do you need assistance?"

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

I've sat in numerous places, barely rocked by boats on plane at 40+ MPH and withing 50' of me, and then someone rolls by at 15 MPH, not on plane and I got rocked and battered.

Well, at least you understand this, I have seen several people do this as well.

Glad you understood my comment and didn't take offense. Hope that you get to enjoy another 30+ years on the water

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

Wwe were near a harbor along te tires fishing at like 10 at night, some boaters come by 20 ft! away causing decent wakes, we were fishing, Im sorry jack a^%$# no need for that 200 ft from shore/docks etc....

either way we are lucky our boat causes little wakes at speed due to hull shape, 45mph = 1ft wake, mebbe 1.5ft, 20 mph = 2 ft wake, 10 mph = 10 inch wake.....etc....its a river boat! not a wake board boat etc..


I passed some boats in 600ft of water 200 to 250 ft away at 45 and the wife yelled at me, it had no effect on the 4 boats moored together partying.....I went as wide as I safely could (rock cliffs nearby)
normally I would slow down for this huge cove, but it was end of day and fairly empty...they were they only ones ini it etc....... either way use good judgement and don't let others ruin your day , on the other hand dont be a jackal!

 

[Philster]

Re: Was I really going too fast?

This is why I love coastal living along the Atlantic Ocean, and massive bays like the Delaware and Chesapeake. Once out of the inter-coastal waterway and out one of the many inlets, if you find nice ocean (or big bay) waters, you feel completely free.

There simply is nothing quite like a flat ocean, dolphins popping up here and there in the distance, parasailers around, maybe 1/4 mile from the beach, with nothing but breakers between you and shore and just finding a happy planing speed. If the ocean is glass flat and the sun is shining with < 5 mph winds, you open up the special memory compartment of your brain and start recording the smells, sounds, sights and feelings.

Love sharing the waters behind all the barrier islands, but when it's time to bust loose, unwind the nerves and scan the mental rule book less often, hitting the ocean cures all.

Happy and safe boating to all.