Rules of the water

[enigmatico]

Yep, just because they have a boat doesnt mean they know the rules of proper boat handling while in the water, right of way etc. I think another problem is so many boaters have no clue about the rules when launching or loading their boats at the Ramp. Plenty of fights break out at the ramp, yelling, cussing, shoving, pushing boats, blocking trailers, UGLY! I know I have had trouble lauching my boat or loading it, wind, current rushing because there is a line of boats waitiong to be next. Always looking for ways to make the trailer part easier. Came across a video of a trailer gadget called the Snapper, automatic trailer hook up / release system, very slick, dont know the cost but makes the process look like childs play, you can see the video on www.fishingvideonetwork.com there is always something new out there but I never saw this system until I happened upon this new website.

 

[jakemac]

saturday was a crazy enough day on chick but i almost got run over a few times. oh yeah, did i mention i hate wakeboarding boats

 

[mlock]

I am a new boater myself, and everything was in boating language, and what I did for the most part was simply observe and watch how everyone went about it. I even had the boating info from twra but it looked like everyone did their own thing. For instance in the the buoy for channel markers, pass to left of this one...I wish it would also say for this buoy to be on your right as you pass, because when you see conflicting things on the water, the language should be in beginner terms and verbage that speaks neutrally. But I get nervous out there wondering what this boat going to do versus the last one. I think the flyer suggestion was excellent. Take Care.

matt

 

[griderdawg]

Thanks for posting this. It is a wonder that we do not have a lot more boating accidents than we do . Lake Chick sometimes is like I75 during rush hour in Atlanta. LOL. All seriousness we need to abide by these rules.

 

[salecreekaviator]

My trick to remember port is by thinking of it as a boating action- "I have left port".

I took the Coast Guard Auxillary boater course when I bought my boat and it was excellent. I think it is or was $25, 8-4 on a Sat and included pizza for lunch. Lots of good info that I still use everytime I am on the water: tying knots, navigation rules, safety rules, tips to loading and unloading, docking in current or wind in tight quarters. For me it was a day very well spent, going into I greatly underestimated how much useful stuff I would learn. David Maul was the instructor and he was listed in the phone book.

 

[salecreekaviator]

I think signalling intentions is a good idea BUT very few would understand the signals. Most would think you're blowing your horn to be a jerk and would signal that you're #1. emoLaugh

 

[canoe fisherman]

I know the Bayliner ski boat, a friend of mine has, has a decal on the console that shows how to pass other boats and the proper signal blast to give when passing. do bass boats have this also? maybe someone should get the TWRA to at least post a poster of these rules at boat ramps and maybe even get them posted at gas stations close to boat ramps. Just thinking this may help.

 

[Superbad]

This is a good post. Details and communication is what most people lack.

 

[elwestb]

... I always thought it was "GEE" and "Haw" ... is that what's been wrong ... instead of "Port and "Starboard"? {Does anyone out there today even know what that is?}

 

[grayson_garrett]

If any of you are being serious about not knowing port from starboard this should help you remember it: Left has four letters, port has four letters, right has more letters, starboard has more letters! That is how I learned it when I was younger!

 

[jimwarden]

One thing that should help over time is the not-so-new law that requires passing an approved boating course before being able to drive a boat in TN. I believe it is for anyone born after 1992. I know my daughter was required to take it.

 

[smokinbasser]

I learned port and starboard in boy scouts by a Baptist scoutmaster. Port is never right but should be left ( he added ) alone. Morality aside that definition has stuck with me for over 50 years now. Congratulations on scoutings 100th birthday

 

[TheFisherman]

I've always thought of Port, starting with a "P" was closest to the letter "L" for "left" and starboard - the "S" is closest to the letter "R" for "right" in the alphabet. Kinda crazy but that's how I remember. Same with bouys, going upriver, Red is on the "R" for "right" and green/black then has to be on the left. Passing port to port simply means like two cars passing each other on the highway, left side to left side. Most of the time it's a wide river, so no one need worry about it. I won't make a big effort to cross in front of another boat to pass port to port as long as its clear the boat won't change course and cause a problem for me. In tight places though, it helps to avoid collisions. It's pretty clear most boaters don't know the rules.

 

[vhype]

Heck even a FLW pro has hit a bridge on Ky lake this past season so don't trust anyone out on the water and that goes double for waterfleas and folks in pontpoon boats. Sometimes the only thing that you can do is set your rig down and let the dummies cut in front of you.

 

[djsmarinelectronics]

Now tell the truth, if you are running 45 mph down the lake, which is slow for a lot of boats, or faster could you actually hear someone blowing a whistle? I have never understood that regulation.

 

[Mr.Finesse]

How about this rule...If your'e fishing/trolling a bank, don't pull up to the same bank in front of the other guys boat and start fishing(less than 100 yards). I just want to take a tommy gun and turn that guy's boat hull into swiss cheese especially if they catch a fish...boy that really burns me up!

 

[djsmarinelectronics]

If you see a bank with 4 boats on it, sitting 200 yards apart, does that mean you can pull into any slot and start fishing as long as there is 100 yards on each side of you?

 

[Mustang1987_1]

elwestb - 2/24/2010 11:19 PM

... I always thought it was "GEE" and "Haw" ... is that what's been wrong ... instead of "Port and "Starboard"? {Does anyone out there today even know what that is?}

I'm with you brother, in the day you couldn't drive two mules without knowing "Gee" and "Haw." I did learn port and starboard though when I joined the Navy and was assigned to an aircraft carrier. I remember the first man overboard drill. I was awaken at 2am with someone yelling over the 1MC, "THIS IS A DRILL, THIS IS A DRILL, MAN OVERBOARD, ALL HANDS TO MUSTER, UP AND FORWARD TO STARBOARD, DOWN AND AFT TO PORT." I remember thinking, what the emoBadLanguage does that mean. After being trampled on for what seemed like forever, I learned exactly what it meant. Port = left, starboard = right.

As far as being safe on the water, I just tell myself that "stupid" may be out here today and I can't fix "stupid." Then I get humbled by remembering when "stupid" was driving my boat a few times. We all make mistakes. The key is to look out for each other.

 

[BRamsey]

I just turn my gas tank selector to port or starboard and see which one runs out first. Or open the port or starboard side livewell and see which one starts letting water in! lol

 

[hookedonfishin]

Good job Jon, I new a lot of this, but there was a few tidbits I didn't know. Passing Port to Port is the same as passing an on-coming car on a 2 lane country road, Duh left to left, any dummy should be able to figure that one. I hope a lot of newbe boaters will read this post. Maybe you should re-post it every week or two.
Yeah I agree, all new boaters should be made to go thru a course.
I was always told that when the big motor was running, you were required to have your life jacket on. Is this still in effect? Cause I see so many boaters running wide open and a life jacket is nowhere in site.