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Originally Posted by Dave R
Random thoughts somewhat related to this topic.
If I ever cross your path and do something boneheaded, please know it was not deliberate.
If you and I are going to pass each other safely with less than 150 feet seperation and you don't slow down, I probably won't either. I also won't care.
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Good thoughts Dave R. Everyone eventually has their turn at being a bonehead - its a good goal is to minimize the bonehead points that one earns and learn from your errors. Boating education is critical - and it can effectively be obtained via Chapman, online, santioned course, or handed down from a master. Renters should, and often do, require some sort of certification before renting a craft.
I fully agree with your thoughts of passing at less than 150' when both boats can safely pass each other and neither captain is concerned about the passage. Others who are calling for zero tolerance are apparently against this freedom, and that is too bad. There are times when it is fully safe to pass closer than 150' at speed, but since there is no commonly recognized signal of agreement, it is hard to know the other pilot's concerns. Perhaps a wave of hello while at 500 feet? When both pilots change direction in order to pass at optimum, yet distances below minimums, and especially if they wave ok to each other, its an $85 risk but worth considering.
A random observation came to me after reading this thread. Lake Winni seems to be less regulated than others, and many are saying other lakes are worse when it comes to craziness. Is there a correlation there? There is a value in an unregulated environment. If the Weirs channel is out of control, focus the efforts there. Remember the paradox; "If it gets too crowded, nobody will come".