Major Bonehead

JTA · 08-11-2008, 08:30 AM

Much of boat navigation is common sense IMHO. You can look ahead and adjust course to avoid many "right of way" situations. I don't over-worry about who has the right of way as I realize that fewer people have common sense these days (I don't know why). I gave up road rage and the finger a long time ago, it's better for my health. I will give way to the "bonehead" and go on with my life realizing that somewhere he'll/she'll learn a lesson.

VtSteve · 08-11-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTA

Much of boat navigation is common sense IMHO. You can look ahead and adjust course to avoid many "right of way" situations. I don't over-worry about who has the right of way as I realize that fewer people have common sense these days (I don't know why). I gave up road rage and the finger a long time ago, it's better for my health. I will give way to the "bonehead" and go on with my life realizing that somewhere he'll/she'll learn a lesson.

I had an interesting "discussion" with Captain Bonehead/tuber this summer. Large beach, tons of boats at anchor. He insisted in tubing close to the anchorage, sometimes turning in and going In Between anchored boats, probably 30' or so to each vessel. I watched intently, and saw him go back to the beach, anchoring in an area not too close to other boats. Our little discussion started nicely, telling him politely that boats at anchor rock quite a bit when slapped with his waves, he was too close, people swim in beach areas, etc..

He politely told me that He had much experience, tubed this way all the time didn't see the problem. So, that was that, wished him a nice day. I motored off at headway speed for ten minutes or so. We turned around, and headed to the best angle towards my intended target

I felt right around 15 mph trimmed high would be appropriate. Mr. tubing dipstick and all aboard were sitting down in their vessel. I smiled intently, even took their picture, as my biggest wave rocked them good. Yes, I did make sure that in no way would my wake disrupt anyone else, or I would have just grumbled and left. After a couple of these sophomoric displays, I idled over to Tuber idiot, who at this point was staring at me in a not so happy way.

I smiled, he yelled "What the heck are you doing?". I smiled again, and simply said "I took your advice, and decided that I had tons of experience, was not bothering anyone. I also said I didn't see what the problem was. I could see his wife smiling. I idled away at headway speed. Who knows if he got the point, but at least now he has more experience.

The next time these type of events occur, I will have it on video, and will use the VHF to hail down whomever will listen and come to see for themselves.

sa meredith · 08-11-2008, 10:29 AM

Although I see your point, and smiled a bit at the story...I'm not sure that was the best way to handle the situation. Sort of asking for confrontation. Maybe booze is involved...who knows...and things could get ugly quick. And then you would both be sorry it happened.
I think just letting him know that you and everyone else knew he was clueless was enough.
Tube within 30 feet of a stationary object in the water??!! He put many people at risk if this is true. 30 feet? 10 yards. Just a "first down" away.

VtSteve · 08-11-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sa meredith

Although I see your point, and smiled a bit at the story...I'm not sure that was the best way to handle the situation. Sort of asking for confrontation. Maybe booze is involved...who knows...and things could get ugly quick. And then you would both be sorry it happened.
I think just letting him know that you and everyone else knew he was clueless was enough.
Tube within 30 feet of a stationary object in the water??!! He put many people at risk if this is true. 30 feet? 10 yards. Just a "first down" away.

Heck, I've seen them so close my brush's extension pole could have washed their boat as well. Clueless is something these people don't worry about, it's all about them. First hand experience and aggravation works better in these case. The fact that there are rarely any of the authorities around in areas where the percentage of stopping someone in the act is at or near 100% is a clear indicator of why it's happening with alarming frequency.

The fact that some people have spent so much time attacking GFBL boats and getting the speed limit law passed while ignoring these issues is quite revealing in itself.

Resident 2B · 08-11-2008, 11:12 AM

These Captain Boneheads are the real safety issue on the lake. Although boating seems to be down this year, there is no shortage of these Captain Boneheads.

Anyone that believes that HB-862 is going to give us a safer lake is significantly lacking in common sense. I hope that the NHMP starts to do something about the real problem, unsafe operation, before people get hurt.

I realize that some kayakers feel that they get "buzzed" because the operators do not see them. From their prospective, I am sure that they believe this and that they are telling us what they believe to be true. This is what they are experiencing. However, I have a 29' boat that is very easy to see, and I get "buzzed" and have my 150' space violated very often. It has nothing to do with speed, it is all about safe or unsafe operation.

Got to get back to work on the ark. Noah is out gather groups of two from each species. I asked him to leave the Captain Boneheads off his list.

R2B

08-11-2008, 10:29 AM	#3
sa meredith Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 32 Thanked 352 Times in 137 Posts	Well, maybe Although I see your point, and smiled a bit at the story...I'm not sure that was the best way to handle the situation. Sort of asking for confrontation. Maybe booze is involved...who knows...and things could get ugly quick. And then you would both be sorry it happened. I think just letting him know that you and everyone else knew he was clueless was enough. Tube within 30 feet of a stationary object in the water??!! He put many people at risk if this is true. 30 feet? 10 yards. Just a "first down" away.

08-11-2008, 11:12 AM	#5
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 996 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	The real safety issue These Captain Boneheads are the real safety issue on the lake. Although boating seems to be down this year, there is no shortage of these Captain Boneheads. Anyone that believes that HB-862 is going to give us a safer lake is significantly lacking in common sense. I hope that the NHMP starts to do something about the real problem, unsafe operation, before people get hurt. I realize that some kayakers feel that they get "buzzed" because the operators do not see them. From their prospective, I am sure that they believe this and that they are telling us what they believe to be true. This is what they are experiencing. However, I have a 29' boat that is very easy to see, and I get "buzzed" and have my 150' space violated very often. It has nothing to do with speed, it is all about safe or unsafe operation. Got to get back to work on the ark. Noah is out gather groups of two from each species. I asked him to leave the Captain Boneheads off his list. R2B

08-11-2008, 08:30 AM	#1
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 34 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Much of boat navigation is common sense IMHO. You can look ahead and adjust course to avoid many "right of way" situations. I don't over-worry about who has the right of way as I realize that fewer people have common sense these days (I don't know why). I gave up road rage and the finger a long time ago, it's better for my health. I will give way to the "bonehead" and go on with my life realizing that somewhere he'll/she'll learn a lesson.