The problem with 'reasonable & prudent' when applying it to a boat speed limit is that different boaters will have different opinions as to what is 'reasonable & prudent.'
In a newspaper article from last summer, the driver of **** a 47' Fountain powered by three 620hp engines, capable of about 100mph, said that going 50-60mph at night is "perfectly reasonable" with the proper running lights and eye glasses. He made a point of differentiating from going these speeds out on the broads and not in the bays.
In addition to the safety factor, what about the noise factor of going these speeds?
Concord Monitor June 22, 2005 - Here, speed knows no limits
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/p...0050622/REPOSI...