So this is what you do when you're getting buzzed

[Tom S]

JB I wouldn't go that far.

I don't think there is anything wrong with going 100 MPH in the middle of the Long Island Sound. Thats inside the international boundries. There are plenty of locations where it would be ok to go WOT. It just shouldn't be allowed in channels, anchorages and other tight & restrictive areas. Heck, I'm not an old crumudgeon or anything like that. I too, like speed boats and PWC's and going fast, it just shouldn't be done where other boats are obviously restricted and going slow and it should only be done with a good sharp lookout at all times. Going 50-80 MPH means that you will be coming up on a boat in the horizon very fast and dictates that its YOUR responsibility to avoid all other traffic.Its just the yahoo's who get their kicks by "buzzing" and getting to close and obstructing other boats that are going at a more leasurely pace. Or the morons that don't know any better.Personally I think your state (or any state) should impose a point system like they have with car licences -- and when you have too many points/tickets you get your licence revoked.

 

[Rob]

cigarette boat

As far as the law is concerned and as far as video taping this idiot...I wish I did have a camera and was able to get his bow number!...Next time I will...its early in the season I'm sure he will do the same thing again if not to us then to some other restricted vessel.We are restricted to stay in the channel..we also can go only about 8 knots max Vs his 100.....In the Sassafras at that area there is no speed limit in effect....farther up a 6 knot rule is in effect but not there....it should be, as in that location there is minimal room to maneuver...at that location at his speed he is a hazard not a nuisence to ther vessels.last year there was a petition going around started by homeowners and maybe sailors...that wanted the 6 knot speed limit increased to the entrance of the river and the bay.....unfortunately I just read it was blocked by another petition by the resistors...who I can only imagine are the power boaters......just think if they had to go 6 knots like us for 50 min before they could open the throttle...how excruciating for them!

 

[Tom S]

Rob keep fighting for the reduced speeds areas

A couple of video tapes of these "scofflaws" in action to the local Marine Police and CG and local Papers and TV stations will go a LONG way to getting the speed restriction passed.

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Not Unique

Rob, I've never been up in your area so I really can't relate to what it's like there. There is no way that I could explain what it's like here, but if you can imagine, it's so bad that the majority of the resident boat owners at the marinas don't leave their slips on holidays, July 4, Labor Day, etc. We affectionally call them amateur hour's. I moved to Pickwick about three years ago due to the ready access to the ICW and a fairly close drive from my house. When I first arrived some of the old timers warned me not to go out on the holidays. Being hard headed, I went out, once on July 4. I didn't make it out of the channel to the main lake before I turned around and came back to the slip. Never again, it was a scary experience, power boaters and PCW's swarming around like gnats. I don't know what it will take to get things under control, but I would imagine that it's going to take someone very highly placed in the government or very well known to either get killed or seriously injured before the problem is addressed. It takes nothing around here except the ability to pay for the boat and enough sense to start it to operate it. There was recently some legislation here that requires, starting at 14 years old, to take a safety course before being allowed a "permit" to operate a vessel. This hasn't gone into effect as yet and I'm not really up on it. May be it will help, we have to start somewhere. I'm with you though, if I ever have an opportunity to enter into some action to stop this silliness, I'm there.

 

[Paul Borchardt]

Higher fuel prices

If there is a silver lining to higher fuel prices, it might be powerboaters will hesitate before running at full throttle. Another benifit may be some will convert to sailing.

 

[Rodney]

Stu, Lotsa Times!

Stu,Not to hijack the thread but probably have shot "at" you lots of times. I remember plenty of C-34 starts. Don't do it much anymore though - new younger blood on RC now.RodneyS/V Sashay

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Hasn't anyone done a magnum water balloon

slingshot? Or are they passé'? We used to party with one that would bring an elephant to it's knees. Just don't aim it at the same target too many times, then every one laughs.