I completely understand what you are saying. We do not or at least try not to go out on the weekends or holidays due to things such as that. Courtesy is not only hard to spell but apparently hard to learn/display. WE have to have patience in today's world.
Bad Seamanship
Sportsmanship refers to the unwritten rules of athletic & sports etiquette that most people know to follow. They cover all those numerous behaviors that rules simply cannot cover every possibility. Sometimes we notice good sportsmanship but we always notice bad sportsmanship. The word asshole comes to mind.
Seamanship is the same. It includes our skillset and knowledge about boat handling but it also covers the normal etiquette toward other boats. Sometimes we notice good seamanship, often while mooring, but we always notice bad seamanship. Bad seamanship does not require one violate the “rules of the road” but extends to the etiquette toward other boaters.
Today, the blue boat “Shockwave” overtook me at high speed (fine) and crossed my bow within about 40 feet (totally unnecessary). He did not actually violate the rules of the road (I had the right of way but didn’t have to actually avoid a collision). Because he cut so closely, however, I was unable to respond and his wake hit our quarter with the spray dousing my wife and soaking her book. At his speed, he could have easily crossed my bow far ahead of me, more safely and comfortably, without losing 10 seconds of his precious fishing time. People like that shouldn’t have boats.
Seamanship is the same. It includes our skillset and knowledge about boat handling but it also covers the normal etiquette toward other boats. Sometimes we notice good seamanship, often while mooring, but we always notice bad seamanship. Bad seamanship does not require one violate the “rules of the road” but extends to the etiquette toward other boaters.
Today, the blue boat “Shockwave” overtook me at high speed (fine) and crossed my bow within about 40 feet (totally unnecessary). He did not actually violate the rules of the road (I had the right of way but didn’t have to actually avoid a collision). Because he cut so closely, however, I was unable to respond and his wake hit our quarter with the spray dousing my wife and soaking her book. At his speed, he could have easily crossed my bow far ahead of me, more safely and comfortably, without losing 10 seconds of his precious fishing time. People like that shouldn’t have boats.
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I'd say an argument could be made that the overtaking vessel was in violation of Rule 13 (d).
If everyone had common courtesy and common sense, probable wouldn't need a rule book. Most people have zero empathy and only think about themselves, this is where most of the problems happen.
My motto, if you always do what you've always done...then you'll always get what you've always got. Sometimes paybacks are hell! Just sayin...
Sent from my SM-G996U1 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G996U1 using Tapatalk
Just take a video of there wake. that boat is responsible for there wake. Just looked up shockwave boat. It was recently sold.
These scenarios are always interesting. If the overtaking boat did not violate the rules, then what we are really talking about here are expectations. Your expectations were different than his expectations. I’m sure if he was in this conversation we would get a totally different story. The truth is, the law defines the minimum expectations. So, if he didn’t break the law, he was in the right. However, it’s certainly your right to wish he would have shown greater courtesy.
The OLE Swinging Door!
I feel your frustration. Not trying to sound smart or be ugly. There are many different ways to access a situation. Not sure of the situation and location which this happened. You may have warned the miss in regards to unexpected water spray from boat traffic. Sounds like the miss may have been reading while navigating a busy water way? Sounds to me like both parties could have been a little more responsible? If something like this happened to me and my family. Sure, I’d be upse! I would also reflect to see if there was anything I myself could have done different.
“GET’EM OFF THE BOTTOM “
I feel your frustration. Not trying to sound smart or be ugly. There are many different ways to access a situation. Not sure of the situation and location which this happened. You may have warned the miss in regards to unexpected water spray from boat traffic. Sounds like the miss may have been reading while navigating a busy water way? Sounds to me like both parties could have been a little more responsible? If something like this happened to me and my family. Sure, I’d be upse! I would also reflect to see if there was anything I myself could have done different.
“GET’EM OFF THE BOTTOM “
It all starts with shopping carts.
You summed it up well with this. Your incident is unfortunate, of course. I would like to believe that there's more good than bad.Sometimes we notice good seamanship, often while mooring, but we always notice bad seamanship. Bad seamanship does not require one violate the “rules of the road” but extends to the etiquette toward other boaters.
That said, for the last year or so I've repeatedly said that no longer can one expect things to be as they were prior to the government abuse known as Covid-19 lockdowns.
The operation of a boat, because it requires no formal training and/or demonstration of knowledge and skill in order to be licensed to do so, has always been more wild and wooly than the operation of a vehicle, which, with its mandated formal training and/or licensing, is at best controlled chaos on the roads.
Statistics show that post-lockdown there is more chaos on the streets -- speeding, road rage, accidents, hell, even carjacking crashes -- and it would follow that a somewhat similar uptick would be found on the water.
My personal solution to it is Do Unto Others -- and avoid times and places that would have a higher chaos factor.
I don't drive, for example, during Rush Hour and stay away from interstates if I can. And I leave the boat on the lift during weekends and especially holidays, then shake my head as I watch the inane zoom-zooming back and forth on The Lagoon. (It was especially crazy when the go-fasts had their gathering at The Wharf last weekend. Insane speed for inshore.)
We are living in crazy times. I'll paraphrase a certain general (whose name I won't mention because he's gone off the rails, too): "Be polite, be professional -- and if necessary be prepared to take out anyone you meet." Pax.
He was likely a retired bass fisherman!
This^^^^^He was likely a retired bass fisherman!
Yall dont realize how good you have it. Need to come fish around these bass boats for a weekend.
It's possible that the Shockwave's skipper just didn't know any better, being a new boat owner. It's more likely that his parents did a shitty job of raising him. No proper home training.
Proper home training should include but not be limited to the following:
Explain and insist on The Golden Rule.
If he does wrong, say "NO".
If he does wrong again, spank.
If he does wrong again, learn how to spank.
Proper home training should include but not be limited to the following:
Explain and insist on The Golden Rule.
If he does wrong, say "NO".
If he does wrong again, spank.
If he does wrong again, learn how to spank.
Common sense isn't common, no matter the situation or location. Courtesy and respect is almost an exception unfortunately.
I said they didn't actually violate the rules since I didn't have to take evasive action to prevent a collision. (I wouldn't have had time, either.) And there was no damage (other than the book) nor injury. It really was an issue of boating etiquette and being sure you're operating safely.These scenarios are always interesting. If the overtaking boat did not violate the rules, then what we are really talking about here are expectations. .... The truth is, the law defines the minimum expectations. So, if he didn’t break the law, he was in the right. However, it’s certainly your right to wish he would have shown greater courtesy.
We were in the middle of the bay with no other boats close by. When we are in a busy fairway she's always on the lookout. Since he was fast approaching from behind, it was not clear that he was going to cut across so close ahead until it was too late to respond.The OLE Swinging Door!
.... You may have warned the miss in regards to unexpected water spray from boat traffic. Sounds like the miss may have been reading while navigating a busy water way? ....
“GET’EM OFF THE BOTTOM “
87% of boat owners don't care about their wake. They still think they're still driving a car...badly too.
so, you're saying you didn't have time to check the traffic behind you, ponder which way he was headed, and maybe veer toward starboard if he's passing on port? how long did it take to analyze the situation?
jack
jack
Serious question, is it more courteous to slow down for a boat/kayak fishing in the channel or to not be in the channel? I feel obligated to come off plane but think to myself, isnt there any better place to fish?
Some boats need to be swamped.Serious question, is it more courteous to slow down for a boat/kayak fishing in the channel or to not be in the channel? I feel obligated to come off plane but think to myself, isnt there any better place to fish?
I always enjoyed the ones trolling in Perdido Pass.
Slowing down will throw a bigger wake. But at least you tried to be nice.Serious question, is it more courteous to slow down for a boat/kayak fishing in the channel or to not be in the channel? I feel obligated to come off plane but think to myself, isnt there any better place to fish?
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