Stand on Boat Question

Rattlesnake Guy · 08-19-2007, 05:09 PM

In the category of two wrongs don't make a right, RG and I had an unusual one today and are not sure if we were correct or not. We tried to look up the situation in the rules but could not find the combination. We need the collective expertise of the group to rule on this one.

We were traveling about a 100 feet from shore looking at various architectural aspects of lake front homes as many people do. We were at headway speed being within a 150 feet of shore. Land on our left.

We noticed a boat on plane coming straight at us 90 degrees on on the right.

I put my boat in neutral and watched the other boat with keen interest. As the boat broke the 150 foot barrier to us, RG picked up the camera to start documenting the situation. The boat fell off plane at about 75 from us. As the boat passed behind us, the driver and Gal exchanged rule interpretations at an elevated level.

I think the picture taking was not appreciated and we were informed that she was the stand on boat. That we were of very questionable intellect and we should look up the law. RG explained that she needed to maintain 150 feet from our boat. I tried to convey that I was not moving fast.

I admit that I was not paying attention to the boats that were moving quickly around the open water and did not yield to the boat that came to shore just as I was passing her dock. I am not sure how much I could have corrected my path at the speed I was traveling relative to hers.

I know she violated the 150 foot rule but, can someone explain if the "stand on give way rules" are the same if one or both boats are at headway speed?

It would make sense to me that with the precedent of the overtaking boat having to yield to the overtaken boat, a boat on plane should adjust it's course when encountering a boat that is stopped or moving slowly. But I have been wrong more times than I can remember.

Thanks for your judicial rulings.

08-19-2007, 05:09 PM	#1
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Stand on Boat Question In the category of two wrongs don't make a right, RG and I had an unusual one today and are not sure if we were correct or not. We tried to look up the situation in the rules but could not find the combination. We need the collective expertise of the group to rule on this one. We were traveling about a 100 feet from shore looking at various architectural aspects of lake front homes as many people do. We were at headway speed being within a 150 feet of shore. Land on our left. We noticed a boat on plane coming straight at us 90 degrees on on the right. I put my boat in neutral and watched the other boat with keen interest. As the boat broke the 150 foot barrier to us, RG picked up the camera to start documenting the situation. The boat fell off plane at about 75 from us. As the boat passed behind us, the driver and Gal exchanged rule interpretations at an elevated level. I think the picture taking was not appreciated and we were informed that she was the stand on boat. That we were of very questionable intellect and we should look up the law. RG explained that she needed to maintain 150 feet from our boat. I tried to convey that I was not moving fast. I admit that I was not paying attention to the boats that were moving quickly around the open water and did not yield to the boat that came to shore just as I was passing her dock. I am not sure how much I could have corrected my path at the speed I was traveling relative to hers. I know she violated the 150 foot rule but, can someone explain if the "stand on give way rules" are the same if one or both boats are at headway speed? It would make sense to me that with the precedent of the overtaking boat having to yield to the overtaken boat, a boat on plane should adjust it's course when encountering a boat that is stopped or moving slowly. But I have been wrong more times than I can remember. Thanks for your judicial rulings.