A thought I had last night, Kinda harsh...

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by 4Fun

One thing I try to do is communicate well with the other boaters on the lake. If I am heading toward another boat, regardless who is the give way boat, I alter my direction one time enough to show my intended course. If they are paying attention they know where I am going. 75% of the time this generates a reaction from the other boat and we pass knowing exactly what each other is doing. If I don’t get a response I figure they don’t see me, or don’t care, and do what I have to do to pass safely.

This such a simple thing to do, and a great habit to have. I do the same. A give-way captain made a very obvious course correction to starboard, about 1/4 mile from me just yesterday and I appreciated it and waved as he passed behind me. I also noticed a few give-way captains that simply sped up, well in advance of potential crossing situations, simply to avoid having to give-way (can't have an accident if you are not there...). I appreciate that as well. I often do the same if I cannot turn to starboard safely.

[4Fun]

Originally Posted by Dave R

This such a simple thing to do, and a great habit to have. I do the same. A give-way captain made a very obvious course correction to starboard, about 1/4 mile from me just yesterday and I appreciated it and waved as he passed behind me. I also noticed a few give-way captains that simply sped up, well in advance of potential crossing situations, simply to avoid having to give-way (can't have an accident if you are not there...). I appreciate that as well. I often do the same if I cannot turn to starboard safely.

The question is, Can this type of behavior be learned or do people just function in different ways? I think there are people like you and I that go out and enjoy driving , and all the surounding activity that it comes with, and others that are out to enjoy the ride and don't want to be bothered by there surroundings.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by 4Fun

The question is, Can this type of behavior be learned or do people just function in different ways? I think there are people like you and I that go out and enjoy driving , and all the surounding activity that it comes with, and others that are out to enjoy the ride and don't want to be bothered by there surroundings.

Hard to say. Can people be "taught" to be nice? I'm reasonably sure common sense is not necessarily a learned behavior. Nowadays, people seem all stressed out over something, and bothered by some group of people or another. I do the same as you guys, turn to starboard and go my own way, well ahead of any situations that may develop. I may very well be one of a select few idiots that slows in the bay before swamping small sailboats. Many boaters today operate on water as many people do on land. With a boatful of arrogance and hardly a thought given to anyone else. I'm never sure whether it's outright arrogance or simply a cultural issue. Many probably act the way their families acted, don't know.

But from politics to religion to boating to highways, it certainly does seem a lot different than the old days. I certainly can't imagine living the rest of my life fueled with arrogance and hatred or bigotry, there has to be some fun and life in there somewhere

[4Fun]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

But from politics to religion to boating to highways, it certainly does seem a lot different than the old days. I certainly can't imagine living the rest of my life fueled with arrogance and hatred or bigotry, there has to be some fun and life in there somewhere

What's ironic is some of the people filled with all this desire for new laws and to desire to regulate are are the ones that area actually causing some of the problems.

I guarantee if you are going 10mph down the Moultonboro Neck narrows you will be passed by numerous boats. Many closer than 100'. There's just not enough room.

One side will say "Hey, I should be allowed to enjoy the lake at my speed without fear of being run over"

The other side will say "Hey, mr inconsiderate, get the hell out of the way you are blocking the entire channel"


No different than road rage. Some bad drivers actually cause some good drivers in to road rage.

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by 4Fun

I guarantee if you are going 10mph down the Moultonboro Neck narrows you will be passed by numerous boats. Many closer than 100'. There's just not enough room.

We live in the narrows and see this problem all the time. If the slow boats would only go to the right side of the channel, there would be plenty of room to pass unless boats are coming from both directions. Not all boats are fast, but it is all too common to see boats that can plane go 6 mph right up the middle so nobody can pass them (unless you know the alternate route between the rocks ) Indeed, one must pass the pokers with less than 150' clearance and hope MP isn't watching, or idle for 5 minutes. Its just a matter of being considerate of others.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

We live in the narrows and see this problem all the time. If the slow boats would only go to the right side of the channel, there would be plenty of room to pass unless boats are coming from both directions. Not all boats are fast, but it is all too common to see boats that can plane go 6 mph right up the middle so nobody can pass them (unless you know the alternate route between the rocks ) Indeed, one must pass the pokers with less than 150' clearance and hope MP isn't watching, or idle for 5 minutes. Its just a matter of being considerate of others.

Lake Geezer.. Great post.. I live right through the narrows as well before you hit Suissvale..

I can not believe how inconsiderate people are!! Not only do you get the people going idle all the way right down the middle, but then you have kayakers doing the exact same thing.... It causes a nightmare of a traffic jam. It only is a matter of time that either someone who is clueless or fed up planes off and passes well within 100 Ft. I disagree with that manuever as well but could people Please look behind them and see they are blocking everyone else.

PS... I wonder if you saw me earlier this year before I blew my engine... I have to go through there everytime to get out to the big lake. Give me a wave next year!

[SteveA]

I'm always aware of the limits of my boat and my skills. A 20' Pontoon in the Broads, on a windy, busy weekend day... bad idea. Trying to dock the boat on an inside slot in Meridith... not pretty.

A big part of enjoying the lake for us, is carefully picking the times and conditions we choose to go out on the lake. Mostly weeknights just out to watch the sunset.

However, the biggest concern I have is not the GFBL, but the 24' bowriders screaming down the lake towing tubers, with no regard for anyone in their path and the 32'ers not on plane plowing up 3 foot wakes 100' in front of me. ( I can't count the times we have been sitting in the middle of the broads on a nice still evening, hoping for a good camera shot when some BH doesn't have the common sense or courtesy to alter course enough to not swamp us with his wake.)

PS... My wife would really like to go for a ride on a GFBL... any volunteers? Me...I like the pontoon!

It's a big lake, plenty of room for everyone.

Seems like common sense isn't all that common sometimes

[VtSteve]

It's been the primary point of most posts since last year and beyond SteveA. You have it right. There are many that know this, but won't participate or help out because it would take away from their primary mission. It's not politically expedient to voice concern over tubers or wakes. That comes later. All we want is a little safety and enjoyment. They want life one agenda at a time.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by SteveA

I'm always aware of the limits of my boat and my skills. A 20' Pontoon in the Broads, on a windy, busy weekend day... bad idea. Trying to dock the boat on an inside slot in Meridith... not pretty.

A big part of enjoying the lake for us, is carefully picking the times and conditions we choose to go out on the lake. Mostly weeknights just out to watch the sunset.

However, the biggest concern I have is not the GFBL, but the 24' bowriders screaming down the lake towing tubers, with no regard for anyone in their path and the 32'ers not on plane plowing up 3 foot wakes 100' in front of me. ( I can't count the times we have been sitting in the middle of the broads on a nice still evening, hoping for a good camera shot when some BH doesn't have the common sense or courtesy to alter course enough to not swamp us with his wake.)

PS... My wife would really like to go for a ride on a GFBL... any volunteers? Me...I like the pontoon!

It's a big lake, plenty of room for everyone.

Seems like common sense isn't all that common sometimes

No worries.. My boat will be back on the lake early spring.. She is welcome to go for a ride...

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by 4Fun

The question is, Can this type of behavior be learned or do people just function in different ways? I think there are people like you and I that go out and enjoy driving , and all the surounding activity that it comes with, and others that are out to enjoy the ride and don't want to be bothered by there surroundings.

I think good habits can easily be learned, but not exactly enjoyed like you and I seem to. I LIKE it when I have to deal with another boats (it gives me something to do and makes things interesting), especially when I discover the other captain knows what she/he is doing. I really don't mind coming off-plane for good reasons or even dramatically altering my course/speed (on-plane) for boneheads. I'm only mildy irritated when forced to come off-plane solely due to rudeness of other boaters, or when I see boaters putting others at risk. I get angry about blatent disregard for safety of my charges That said, because I also boat in places where 150' safe passage laws are not an issue, I don't consider the typical Winnipesuakee safe passage violation a blatent disregard for safety, it has to be really bad to make me angry.