What ever happened to the "wave?"

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Cristen

Chip - you are funny....you know they swear at us too!

I'm a law abiding/respectful boater, but if someone gives me crap for no good reason just because I ride a PWC, I'm ready to jump in the ring and bring it!

I hear ya. I know there are some crappy PWC riders out there that give all of us a bad name. However like you said, some people just love to hate us, law-abiding or not. Oh well, that is their perrogative. Whatever floats their boat, I suppose.

A few years ago, there were 4 of us on PWCs going up one stretch of the Merrimack River. There were a few boats on the water, but nothing we couldn't get around without coming off plane, well outside the 150' range. the one boat we couldn't get around outside 150', we all slowed to no wake speed. As we initially took off, we saw the MP boat putting in at the ramp. We thought nothing of it until we got to our destination, and he pulled us over. He said the boaters were cheering as he passed them. He then said that if they were cheering, that means we must have been within 150' of them. I just laughed, and asked him how close did you observe us to be? Of course he didn't know, so he couldn't ticket us based on peoples cheers. He had no proof, because A. It didn't happen, and B. He didn't see it anyway.

Since he caught up to us relatively quick, I wondered which of us were going "too fast" or too close, us on the PWCs, or the MP guy? lol

[Cristen]

Originally Posted by chipj29

I hear ya. I know there are some crappy PWC riders out there that give all of us a bad name. However like you said, some people just love to hate us, law-abiding or not. Oh well, that is their perrogative. Whatever floats their boat, I suppose.

A few years ago, there were 4 of us on PWCs going up one stretch of the Merrimack River. There were a few boats on the water, but nothing we couldn't get around without coming off plane, well outside the 150' range. the one boat we couldn't get around outside 150', we all slowed to no wake speed. As we initially took off, we saw the MP boat putting in at the ramp. We thought nothing of it until we got to our destination, and he pulled us over. He said the boaters were cheering as he passed them. He then said that if they were cheering, that means we must have been within 150' of them. I just laughed, and asked him how close did you observe us to be? Of course he didn't know, so he couldn't ticket us based on peoples cheers. He had no proof, because A. It didn't happen, and B. He didn't see it anyway.

Since he caught up to us relatively quick, I wondered which of us were going "too fast" or too close, us on the PWCs, or the MP guy? lol

That's a crazy story. At least you didn't get a ticket. PWCs are like bikes - MP and cops LOVE to go after us.

Anyway, have a great summer on Winnipesaukee!

[cowisl]

Just out of curiosity, how many of you abide by the "right of way" rule?

[Island Girl]

... It did take me a while to teach my head to automatically know when a boat had the right of way....

Right of way... boat on the right .. has the right of way or

On the front lights... green means the boat coming from that direction has the right of way...

IG

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

On the front lights... green means the boat coming from that direction has the right of way...

IG

...and since they're coming from the right, you'll see their red bow light, which means you have to stop.

[BroadHopper]

I remember the wave back in the late 50's. It was very contagious.

I still wave today. The traditional wave to courteous boaters and the 'birdie' to the Boneheads.

[robmac]

I always wave,have been boating for about 25 years and it just seems natural to share it by waving to fellow boaters.Maybe people are in to much of a hurry and need to slow down and just relax and enjoy it.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

I embarrass my kids all the time by waving so much. Unfortunately even with glasses, my eyesight isn’t the best. I will wave at a boat or fishermen going by and my son will laugh and tell me they weren’t even looking in our direction.

[NHDOLFAN]

I was on the lake the other day and waved to several boats including Marine Patrol. I was with a friend of mine. Simultaneously, we both stated that no one waves anymore. I will continue to wave regardless. On another note, I have also noticed more and more boaters who are rude and think the lake belongs to them, which makes it dangerous for everyone. Slow down people and enjoy the beauty!

[Jeti]

I have noticed that No one even flashes anymore.... 20 Years ago.. It was all the rage!

If you can't see the skin, No one wins!

[Cal]

Always wave in the boat , always wave in the Vette. Also have a Jeep as a daily beater and never heard of that wave
It must be a Wrangler thing , mines a Cherokee.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Cal

Always wave in the boat , always wave in the Vette. Also have a Jeep as a daily beater and never heard of that wave
It must be a Wrangler thing , mines a Cherokee.

You are correct, the Jeep wave applies to Wranglers. Sorry, Cherokees don't count as Jeeps....

[JG1222]

There are some related responses in a thread from back in the day:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...read.php?t=998

[Joanna16]

Hey there - I grew up in a small town where when you walked up the street the adults (not us kids as we were discouraged from talking to strangers) said "Hi" to everyone they passed. I now work in this town and no one ever does it. But the town is a lot larger than it once was also.

Maybe this is like the boat wave thing - everyone used to wave for there were so few of us - now any bonehead can have a boat so no one bothers anymore.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

We wave at anyone close enough to see us. It is nice to see that our kids and their girl friends have learned the tradition and seem perfectly happy to practice it as well. Another generation to carry the responsibility.

I must admit that I have a hard time waving at the captain B.

The island seems to be a big boat to us also as we wave to anyone looking our way as they go past. 90% of them wave back. Our Island neighbors wave when we come and go. It is a nice tradition that helps make this lake the best place to be.

[KBoater]

I was finally out in the boards for lunch and did wave at several boats. I’ve been doing it for many years. I have noticed in FL that everyone there waves including the rentals. The kids wave the most and hardest.

[MJM]

With this thread in mind, I made an effort to keep track of how many respond to my wave - I'd say it's directly related to how close you are and how fast you are going.

In a channel, it was 100%.
In areas where everyone is going maybe 10-20mph, it was probably 50%.

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by cowisl

Just out of curiosity, how many of you abide by the "right of way" rule?

Really, you would ask a question like this? Unless it is an extreme emergency, it should 1000 out of 1000 times.

[Rinkerfam]

I think it's fun to wave at the Mount or the Winnipesaukee railroad and see all those friendly faces wave back. I also like to wave at the MP and see which ones are happy to reply as opposed to those who look annoyed in doing so.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Cristen

That's a crazy story. At least you didn't get a ticket. PWCs are likes bikes - MP and cops LOVE to go after us.

Anyway, have a great summer on Winnipesaukee!

Look for me out there, and be sure you wave!

[Cristen]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Look for me out there, and be sure you wave!

Will do!!

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Cristen

PWCs are likes bikes - MP and cops LOVE to go after us.

Anyway, have a great summer on Winnipesaukee!

If you are riding a sport bike skillfully at a spirited pace on a twisty back road, most police don't do anything. I suspect they don't expect to be able to keep up, let alone catch up. From what I have seen, police have an easier time targeting cruisers and sport bike posers though...