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Originally Posted by ahopper
Is the 150' rule necessary??
I grew up boating on Winnipesaukee and recently had an experience boating in Florida where they don't have a 150' rule. Boat traffic seems to flow just fine down there?
I think it's possible for boats to safely pass within 50' of each other.
What do you think? Does anyone know the origins of the 150' rule?
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First: Florida has a miserable boating-safety record -- maybe the worst in the US. If you're tuned-in to a channel, you can guess part of the reason.
Second: As a defender of Big Boats, you don't have the scary experience of being passed (from in front or back) while in "lesser" boats -- at 50 feet.
One hundred and fifty feet is twice the length of the required waterski tow-rope so, theoretically, two skiers can't collide with one another. (Although we kids probably could have found a way to do it).
One hundred and fifty feet is also a handy number for Jet-Skis, who must stay 600' from shore. (Or was it 300-feet? -- you can't tell most of the time).
The MPs should call it
"The Rule of 75s". (Ski-rope length X 2 and Ski-rope length X 8).