Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot
Boating used to be fun, but just like everything else, the fun seems to be a thing of the past. More rules, more regulations more laws and all it did was produce more BONEHEADS. Crazy.
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Perhaps it has to do with the popularity of boating and of this lake? The "old swimming hole" is lots of fun when there are only a few there. No rules either. But if lots of people start showing up, soon you have someone jumping on top of someone else and they get hurt. Rules start springing up. Then you get those who ignore the new rules. They probably don't realize why the rules are needed because they "just are out to have a good time".
There are now a lot of small, fast, and highly maneuverable boats (jet skis) around that add to the chaos. Anyone can afford one. Invulnerable young folks can't be bothered to learn the rules or follow them. Too many people that have learned, sometimes forcibly, that drinking and driving is NOT OK think that drinking and boating is an essential combination. The most important rule, IMO, is extremely simple and common sense: If you are close to anything or anyone, you have to slow down to headway speed. Yet, people are ignorant of it or simply do not care. It is constantly violated. I know that it sure ruins my fun when someone goes by me, even at 20 MPH, when they are too close.
And if you think a quickie review that allows you to get your certificate is going to make a significant impression on most people, forget it. Learn quickly, forget quickly. It amazes me that we require driving classes, hands on experience, and a written and road test to get an auto license. But for a operating a boat, a FAR more difficult task because of the free form nature of the environment, no practical experience is required or tested.