a 40+ motoroat intentionally cuts across your bow after coming directly at you. We were on a port tack. He had loads of room. It was wrong of me to assume that this visiting boat would follow the rules of the road. I thought of following it to the marina and confronting the AH, may keelhauling him. Do you get on the radio and give him a blast? What do you do? I am still fuming!;{
How do you react when
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I use the radio
being sure to include his boat name and registration if possible. (be sure the power setting is 25 watts) ;D Keep ducking! Tom s/v GAIA
being sure to include his boat name and registration if possible. (be sure the power setting is 25 watts) ;D Keep ducking! Tom s/v GAIA
Relaxing Sport
Not that any of your reactions are wrong, but I sail to relax, and I make it a point not to let idiots in other boats spoil it for me. I figure if I can't handle the wake from an idiot motorboater, then I probably should be on dry land instead of in a sail boat. It's irritating I know, but I just let it go. Now, if someone cuts me off on the highway, THAT'S a whole 'nother issue.
Not that any of your reactions are wrong, but I sail to relax, and I make it a point not to let idiots in other boats spoil it for me. I figure if I can't handle the wake from an idiot motorboater, then I probably should be on dry land instead of in a sail boat. It's irritating I know, but I just let it go. Now, if someone cuts me off on the highway, THAT'S a whole 'nother issue.
The best thing to do
Is to say to yourself what an @%#* hole and then forget about it. Look in the other direction and enjoy the day. If he come back though I’d get his number and call the Coast Guard.
Is to say to yourself what an @%#* hole and then forget about it. Look in the other direction and enjoy the day. If he come back though I’d get his number and call the Coast Guard.
Assume the worst
I assume that I won't get courtesy from a power boat unless it's the Coast Guard. I don't expect much from power boats, and am rarely let down. ajp
I assume that I won't get courtesy from a power boat unless it's the Coast Guard. I don't expect much from power boats, and am rarely let down. ajp
Same problem with squirrels
While driving, I've noticed squirrels in my path equivocate a lot before deciding how to evade getting squashed. Lots of boaters have the same problem. They're not sure which side to pass on, and sometimes I wonder if a late-reacting boat even had someone at the helm when the conflict first became apparent. I think most of the crazy conduct of powerboaters is the result of ignorance and lack of experience rather than wilfull intent to cause close calls. My advice -- stand on or give way as the situation dictates, and keep cool. Keep horn handy in case need to give five blasts. Finger salutes and growling on the radio accomplish little.
While driving, I've noticed squirrels in my path equivocate a lot before deciding how to evade getting squashed. Lots of boaters have the same problem. They're not sure which side to pass on, and sometimes I wonder if a late-reacting boat even had someone at the helm when the conflict first became apparent. I think most of the crazy conduct of powerboaters is the result of ignorance and lack of experience rather than wilfull intent to cause close calls. My advice -- stand on or give way as the situation dictates, and keep cool. Keep horn handy in case need to give five blasts. Finger salutes and growling on the radio accomplish little.
How to react...
As a sailboater, I find it easy to fall into the mindset that powerboaters are less courteous and don't know or follow the "rules of the road." Sure, we've all had some bad experiences on the water with powerboaters. Yet, my closest calls have been with other sailboaters. The mistake I made in those cases was to assume that the other sailboater knew the rules and would abide by them. In one case, on a wide open bay, I saw another boat coming toward me from miles away. I was the stand -on vessel, but I just had a suspicion about this other boat. As we closed -- and the other boat gave no indication of giving way --, I decided to give way early and make it clear what I was I was doing. As we passed, I noted no one at the helm or in the cockpit! I blew my horn five times. A few seconds later, a male head popped out the companionway and looked around in surprise. Then a female head....The guy had been running on autopilot while dealing with another issue below. Never assume the other guy knows the rules and will give way when he should. Take evasive action early and decisively. You and your insurance company won't regret it....
As a sailboater, I find it easy to fall into the mindset that powerboaters are less courteous and don't know or follow the "rules of the road." Sure, we've all had some bad experiences on the water with powerboaters. Yet, my closest calls have been with other sailboaters. The mistake I made in those cases was to assume that the other sailboater knew the rules and would abide by them. In one case, on a wide open bay, I saw another boat coming toward me from miles away. I was the stand -on vessel, but I just had a suspicion about this other boat. As we closed -- and the other boat gave no indication of giving way --, I decided to give way early and make it clear what I was I was doing. As we passed, I noted no one at the helm or in the cockpit! I blew my horn five times. A few seconds later, a male head popped out the companionway and looked around in surprise. Then a female head....The guy had been running on autopilot while dealing with another issue below. Never assume the other guy knows the rules and will give way when he should. Take evasive action early and decisively. You and your insurance company won't regret it....
I had a similiar experience last summer...
and was pretty upset that this idiot would have the nerve to get so close to another boat without even trying to follow the rules. Gave him 5 blasts of the horn, but he just looked at me like he had no idea what that meant. A few hours later as I was heading back into the marina, I saw this same boat waiting in line at the launch ramp to haul-out. I came up on the far-side dock, went below and got my little digital camera that I keep aboard and proceeded over to the dock where he was waiting. Without saying a word to him, I began to take pictures of his boat, I.D. numbers and the guy who had been driving when they nearly hit me. After a minute or so, the owner of the boat approached me and asked me what I was doing. In a very calm voice I explained to him that I wanted photos to go along with the report I would be filing with the marina owners and the Sheriffs Office (they are the controlling authority on this lake). He looked completely amazed and asked why I was doing that. I told him that I had barely avoided a collision with his boat after it had failed to give right-of-way to a boat under sail and that only by taking emergency action had a collision been avoided. Turns out, it was his son who had been piloting the boat and he wasn't aboard at the time. I explained to him that maybe it would be in his best interest to have a little talk with his son and explain the basic rules to him. As it turns out, the guy was retired Navy and was really pissed at his son for such stupid behavior. He assured me that this would never happen again and asked if I would be willing to drop the whole matter if he promised to 'educate' his son. I said that sounded fair and headed back to my boat. As I left the dock, you could hear this guy for a hundred yards, 'educating' his son as to how things were to be done in the future, in, shall we say, very clear terms! I was feeling better already! Jeff
and was pretty upset that this idiot would have the nerve to get so close to another boat without even trying to follow the rules. Gave him 5 blasts of the horn, but he just looked at me like he had no idea what that meant. A few hours later as I was heading back into the marina, I saw this same boat waiting in line at the launch ramp to haul-out. I came up on the far-side dock, went below and got my little digital camera that I keep aboard and proceeded over to the dock where he was waiting. Without saying a word to him, I began to take pictures of his boat, I.D. numbers and the guy who had been driving when they nearly hit me. After a minute or so, the owner of the boat approached me and asked me what I was doing. In a very calm voice I explained to him that I wanted photos to go along with the report I would be filing with the marina owners and the Sheriffs Office (they are the controlling authority on this lake). He looked completely amazed and asked why I was doing that. I told him that I had barely avoided a collision with his boat after it had failed to give right-of-way to a boat under sail and that only by taking emergency action had a collision been avoided. Turns out, it was his son who had been piloting the boat and he wasn't aboard at the time. I explained to him that maybe it would be in his best interest to have a little talk with his son and explain the basic rules to him. As it turns out, the guy was retired Navy and was really pissed at his son for such stupid behavior. He assured me that this would never happen again and asked if I would be willing to drop the whole matter if he promised to 'educate' his son. I said that sounded fair and headed back to my boat. As I left the dock, you could hear this guy for a hundred yards, 'educating' his son as to how things were to be done in the future, in, shall we say, very clear terms! I was feeling better already! Jeff
Jeff M (et al.) I hear ya...but
But legally I don't think any of you have a leg to stand on. Taking pictures of the boat after the fact, etc, etc shows no proof of anything of the event that happened. Its your word against theirs. In fact it could have been argued that the stand on vessel (lets say you, etc, etc) changed course blah, lah, blah. Unless you have a video tape of the whole event I don't think much can be done. Also even if you did, but there was no incident or accident I think you will find that most authorities wont do anything. What can you do?....I don't know...Embarrass the guy at the dock into doing the right thing next time. ps . after reading the initial post I am not sure the motorboat guy was guilty of breaking any laws other then extreme discourtesy. Did the sailboat have to take evasive actions? Or was the motorboater just rude to cut so damn close and create huge wakes...no real law against that.
But legally I don't think any of you have a leg to stand on. Taking pictures of the boat after the fact, etc, etc shows no proof of anything of the event that happened. Its your word against theirs. In fact it could have been argued that the stand on vessel (lets say you, etc, etc) changed course blah, lah, blah. Unless you have a video tape of the whole event I don't think much can be done. Also even if you did, but there was no incident or accident I think you will find that most authorities wont do anything. What can you do?....I don't know...Embarrass the guy at the dock into doing the right thing next time. ps . after reading the initial post I am not sure the motorboat guy was guilty of breaking any laws other then extreme discourtesy. Did the sailboat have to take evasive actions? Or was the motorboater just rude to cut so damn close and create huge wakes...no real law against that.
Tom, you're absolutely right...
I had no real intention of reporting the clown to anybody, for, as you point out, I had no real proof of anything and it would have merely been my word against his. However, he DIDN'T KNOW THAT! Sure, if the guy had been savvy (and a punk) he would have laughed in my face and told me to report whatever I wanted. But, as it worked out, it was sort of like a poker game, I bluffed and he folded. And, who knows, maybe he would have gotten angry and pushed me or even taken a swing at me and with all the witnesses at the dock I would have definitely had him for A&B. That'll work, too! I've also found it useful to explain to some people that if there is a collision between our two boats and I was under sail at the time that they would be found guilty and my lawyer and I would have a field-day suing his butt off. I think in every instance you have to 'play it by ear' and sometimes that means doing nothing, but many times it's worth the effort (IMHO) to call them on their transgression and see if you can give them a bit of friendly advice and education. Generally speaking, I think that most people do stupid things simply because they don't know any better, and powerboaters as a group seem to have little education about boating beyond the 'sign the papers, turn the key, push the throttle forward' phase, so maybe a little friendly reminder about right-of-way laws will help them become better boaters. Then again, a couple of ounces of C-4 under their transom might also do the trick!!! *! ;D
I had no real intention of reporting the clown to anybody, for, as you point out, I had no real proof of anything and it would have merely been my word against his. However, he DIDN'T KNOW THAT! Sure, if the guy had been savvy (and a punk) he would have laughed in my face and told me to report whatever I wanted. But, as it worked out, it was sort of like a poker game, I bluffed and he folded. And, who knows, maybe he would have gotten angry and pushed me or even taken a swing at me and with all the witnesses at the dock I would have definitely had him for A&B. That'll work, too! I've also found it useful to explain to some people that if there is a collision between our two boats and I was under sail at the time that they would be found guilty and my lawyer and I would have a field-day suing his butt off. I think in every instance you have to 'play it by ear' and sometimes that means doing nothing, but many times it's worth the effort (IMHO) to call them on their transgression and see if you can give them a bit of friendly advice and education. Generally speaking, I think that most people do stupid things simply because they don't know any better, and powerboaters as a group seem to have little education about boating beyond the 'sign the papers, turn the key, push the throttle forward' phase, so maybe a little friendly reminder about right-of-way laws will help them become better boaters. Then again, a couple of ounces of C-4 under their transom might also do the trick!!! *! ;D
What do you expect when they call us WASI
Best to let it go. In our local yacht club motor boaters call us sailors "WASI" wind assissted stupid idiots. Don't expect much respect from that crowd. Abe
Best to let it go. In our local yacht club motor boaters call us sailors "WASI" wind assissted stupid idiots. Don't expect much respect from that crowd. Abe
Here's a stroy
As a sailor, sailing out of Dana Point, CA, I haven't had any bad experiences with power boaters. The price of gas is so high, you don't see too many of them out anyway. But has a rower, rowing of of Alamitos Bay in Long Beach it is a different story. There are a lot of 35 foot + yachts coming into the harbor, and, mostt skippers are clueless on all the nuances and responsibilities of owning such large boats. Once I was hit in my rowing shell by a jackhole pulling out of his slip. I had a few words with him, and he decided to gun it and wake me. After that I let the "f" bomb loose. and he reported ME to the harbor patrol because I used "offensive" language. The harbor patrol started lecturing me! They didn't even want to hear my side of the story, on how I was hit and how why my rowing shell was full to the gunwhales with water because of this fartnozzle. Just as the harbor patrol was pulling away from me, the power boater hit one of the girls from our club in her shell. Her reaction was very similar too mine. Again the harbor patrol chastised the rower, and only warned the powerboater. To be fair, the Long Beach Harbor Patrol are very professional and go out of their way to assist small vessels, But the crew of this harbor patrol boat were just brainless nincompoops. Its nice to fell so protected.
As a sailor, sailing out of Dana Point, CA, I haven't had any bad experiences with power boaters. The price of gas is so high, you don't see too many of them out anyway. But has a rower, rowing of of Alamitos Bay in Long Beach it is a different story. There are a lot of 35 foot + yachts coming into the harbor, and, mostt skippers are clueless on all the nuances and responsibilities of owning such large boats. Once I was hit in my rowing shell by a jackhole pulling out of his slip. I had a few words with him, and he decided to gun it and wake me. After that I let the "f" bomb loose. and he reported ME to the harbor patrol because I used "offensive" language. The harbor patrol started lecturing me! They didn't even want to hear my side of the story, on how I was hit and how why my rowing shell was full to the gunwhales with water because of this fartnozzle. Just as the harbor patrol was pulling away from me, the power boater hit one of the girls from our club in her shell. Her reaction was very similar too mine. Again the harbor patrol chastised the rower, and only warned the powerboater. To be fair, the Long Beach Harbor Patrol are very professional and go out of their way to assist small vessels, But the crew of this harbor patrol boat were just brainless nincompoops. Its nice to fell so protected.
skeet
Doesn't bad behavior such as described earlier reclassify the motorboat operator as skeet? Isn't this the law in Texas?
Certainly applies to PWCs behaving badly.
Doesn't bad behavior such as described earlier reclassify the motorboat operator as skeet? Isn't this the law in Texas?
Certainly applies to PWCs behaving badly. Tom S.
doesnt matter wheter you are in a "no wake zone" or not. you are respondible for damage done by the wake of your boat. get the name and hailing port or reg number and call the guy up and tell him that he owes you $$$$ for the XXX that was damaged on Sat 7/xx/04 and that if he doesnt send you your money you will see him in small claims court and call the USCG!!! just the mere fact that you scare the hell out of him would make me feel better!
doesnt matter wheter you are in a "no wake zone" or not. you are respondible for damage done by the wake of your boat. get the name and hailing port or reg number and call the guy up and tell him that he owes you $$$$ for the XXX that was damaged on Sat 7/xx/04 and that if he doesnt send you your money you will see him in small claims court and call the USCG!!! just the mere fact that you scare the hell out of him would make me feel better!
Dan I basically agree
But tracking someone down just via a state registration is not that easy (unless you have some connections) and even tracking down the guys Documented name and address (which can be done online) it doesn't mean you can get the guys phone number and " call the guy up" . Who says he's listed. And even if you sent a documented letter, it doesn't mean squat . And personally I would laugh if you said I had caused a sailboat underway "wake damage" (lol), (At a dock, designated anchorage or mooring field is different). Think about it, who says you didn't take a regular wave broadside, while out on your local body of water. I really think one needs to know the laws very well before they try to sue someone -- it can bite you back ! Anyway, I would immediately call my insurance co and say some nut thought a wave from my boat in the middle of the LI Sound broke a wine glass on his boat. Most marine insurance agents would be laughing their butts off and say "don't worry, I'll take it from there" and you'd be deluged with my insurance co. and lawyers getting depositions and such and dealing with your insurance co....essentialy wasting 100x more of your time than mine. Hell even if you **did** go ahead and take me to small claims court (which I'm not so sure would be the jurisdiction for admirality law) and I doubt most judges would take the case. PLUS Think about it -- whats the difference between a rogue wave and power boat wake -- answer -> not much. What proof do you have I caused that damage, its a joke and you'd be wasting your breath and time. Also remember in almost all boat incidents fault is never decided 100% to one party or the other. Even when you would think that its a slam dunk case as to who's at fault almost always some responsibilty is placed with both parties. Trust me - do some research on admirality law and such cases . Its an eye opener
But tracking someone down just via a state registration is not that easy (unless you have some connections) and even tracking down the guys Documented name and address (which can be done online) it doesn't mean you can get the guys phone number and " call the guy up" . Who says he's listed. And even if you sent a documented letter, it doesn't mean squat . And personally I would laugh if you said I had caused a sailboat underway "wake damage" (lol), (At a dock, designated anchorage or mooring field is different). Think about it, who says you didn't take a regular wave broadside, while out on your local body of water. I really think one needs to know the laws very well before they try to sue someone -- it can bite you back ! Anyway, I would immediately call my insurance co and say some nut thought a wave from my boat in the middle of the LI Sound broke a wine glass on his boat. Most marine insurance agents would be laughing their butts off and say "don't worry, I'll take it from there" and you'd be deluged with my insurance co. and lawyers getting depositions and such and dealing with your insurance co....essentialy wasting 100x more of your time than mine. Hell even if you **did** go ahead and take me to small claims court (which I'm not so sure would be the jurisdiction for admirality law) and I doubt most judges would take the case. PLUS Think about it -- whats the difference between a rogue wave and power boat wake -- answer -> not much. What proof do you have I caused that damage, its a joke and you'd be wasting your breath and time. Also remember in almost all boat incidents fault is never decided 100% to one party or the other. Even when you would think that its a slam dunk case as to who's at fault almost always some responsibilty is placed with both parties. Trust me - do some research on admirality law and such cases . Its an eye opener
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