"Right of Way" question

[Bizer]

Back in Coast Guard O.C.S., which, I'm ashamed to say, was fifty years ago, we were taught several unwritten rules-of-the-road which I still heed to this day.

• You don't want the right of way because the other Bozo may not know the rules-of-the-road. It's better to maneuver around them instead of wondering if they are going to maneuver around you.
• Ferry boat operators interpret the rules-of-the-road to their own advantage. They have schedules to keep.
• Men in over-powered boats with a scantily-clad co-pilot think they are God's gift to the high seas.

[Sinclair]

Originally Posted by Bizer

Back in Coast Guard O.C.S., which, I'm ashamed to say, was fifty years ago, we were taught several unwritten rules-of-the-road which I still heed to this day.

• You don't want the right of way because the other Bozo may not know the rules-of-the-road. It's better to maneuver around them instead of wondering if they are going to maneuver around you.
  
• Ferry boat operators interpret the rules-of-the-road to their own advantage. They have schedules to keep.
  
• Men in over-powered boats with a scantily-clad co-pilot think they are God's gift to the high seas.
  

Very wise words.

One thing that may have gotten lost since the OP is that a man and two young boys were trying to have a nice time on the lake and were treated atrociously. Please let me express some sympathy and solidarity.

[noreast]

Dave R nailed it! sometimes you have 11 boats coming from 7 different directions, People will bitch about one of them with out taking into consideration what he's trying to do to avoid the others. It's hard to judge someone without seeing it. Except when they follow you and threaten.