Rude Behavior

Some of you have probably noted one of the Intracoastal movies is a bit thin on footage ("To the Caloosahatchee River") and the following day I spent most of it filming on the boat (how to change oil, how to navigate, etc.) and that is because I was recuperating from being thrown to the deck, and the having the camera broken. I was coming down Pine Island Sound and came upon a line of 8 Cigarette boats at speed, traveling North (I'm going south) at I suspect 60 mph. I handled the first 4 fairly well, but then got sideways and had the camera hit the floor, the TV, and everything else including me right behind it. When I got up and checked myself I was OK, but the camera was broken and the TV cracked. I simply pulled over to the flats and put the boat back together and went to re-learning the backup camera on the fly. The next day I was really sore, didn't want to move much at all, so made the navigation/systems video.

Rude people are rude, and on the water, they can kill or maim you.
 
Last summer. We (me, the wife and my 3 small children) had put down the hook for lunch and a swim. Two guys on PWCs were buzzing us; fast and close, and doing the high speed cris-cross in front of the big boats. As we swam. I looked at my wife and said "those guys are too old for that. We are probably gonna see what's left of them tonight on the news." About 15 minutes later we were still in the water and I heard a mayday on the vhf. As they gave the location I looked at my wife and said "whoa, that's right where we are!" I got back into the boat and looked ahead about 100 yds and saw a large group of boats in a circle. Sure enough, the two PWC's had crashed into each other at very high speed while criscrossing the bow of a 30+ foot cruiser. On had to be air lifted and was paralyzed at least temporarily. What is so stupid is that these guys were in their early thirties.
I did some really dumb stuff when I was teenager while boating but only I would have had to bear the consequences. These guys put their lives, as well as others at risk.
I see this kind of behavior allot with the PWCs. Is this really a growing problem, or am I just getting old and less tolerant? :sad
 
Carry a dozen eggs in one hand and your Glock 40 cal in the other. You know what America is full Sh-- heads and no matter where you go or how nice you try to be ,You will certainly run into them. Just like on the hiway.The same people own boats too. The word is IGNORE and carry a sign about 1 foot X 2 foot that says As-h--e. Be ready to back it up with your eggs or your Glock. Been there and done this many times .Trust me they are on the rivers here in Alaska too. You have to portray the image of the crazyist absolute mass ax murderer that ever walked. Of course you arent but they dont know that. Spit ,kick the ground snort ,growl and if need be howl at the moon that aint there. They will never forget you and I guaranty they dont have the nads to persue. I respect all people on the water and the hiway until they try and slide me into their scope of stupidity and then I dont get pissed ,I get even. There is a book on it. Dont you just love those IDIOTS on the Jet Skis. They just have to see how close they can get to you( thats when the eggs come in handy). Dont get me wrong, Life is good .Too bad that we have to put up with those SUB-Speicies.
On the brighter side ,I built my Davit. It cost me less that $100.00 and it will lift 250# with no problem . I need to figure out how to send pictures and I will share it with all of you

Doug Hanson
Sea Mink
 
No, I dont know Tom . We kinda stay to ourselves and dont socialise that much .We keep our circle pretty tight.
We never used to be that way but its just easier I guess.
That way they dont have to come pick up the tools that I borrowed and never returned. I read some of the sarcastic stupid remarks on line from people . The more I read ,the more that I desire to stay in my own circle.
This is the only forum that I have recently been part of that has a lot of real down to earth good people who are the backbone to the better part of our society.
Doug Hanson
 
Wow! Where do I start?

Let's take a look at two incidents that happened when I still had Spirit, my sailboat.

First: I was anchored in a designated anchorage in a bay on Lake Erie that was loaded with No Wake signs. A kid on a PWC kept buzzing Spirit, coming within 10 feet of us. I called him over and politely informed him about the rules in the area. He was rude and told us that his dad said that he could do it.

Anyhow, Dad came out on the PWC to read me the riot act and then duplicated his son's feat, coming within five feet of our hull and then cutting across our bow, right into our anchor line, peeling himself off the PWC to the delight on others in the anchorage!

The best part, the Harbor Police also saw it, pulled him into their boat and hauled him off to write him up! It doesn't get much better than that.

Second: I had the unfortunate "sailboat/powerboat" rivalry turn ugly in the Keys. I was singlehanding Spirit south in Hawk's Channel with no other boats in sight until a big sport fisherman approached from the south at least 1/4 mile off my course, changed course to pass within 10 feet of my bow, increased to WOT and almost hit me! As they passed, three guys threw beer cans at my boat and the guy on the fly bridge flipped me off. Completely uncalled for. I called the CG with their boat name and description, but feel that nothing coiuld be done about it. They would have denied it anyway.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nick's post got me to thinking... we had considerably more rude/stupid incidents with our sailboats compared to cruising with our C-Dory. Perhaps it is the fact that we are not on a schedule, perhaps more exposure with a sailboat, or perhaps the C-Dory just presents a more no-nonsense image?

We are heading out of the marina we have been in the last couple nights, and the people here have been great - powerboaters and sailors have visited with us and commented about Wild Blue. Most have never seen a boat like her. Could be good ol' Midwest values, but there is a definite sense of community here. Maybe it's the shorter season and everyone just wants to enjoy the time on the water?

If we were in an area where the rudeness/stupidity level was too great, it would be time to head to different waters.
 
Hi Brats

Rude people suck. It does't matter what form of vessel they operate.
I think alot of their rudeness has to do with lack of knowledge. And since LE is never around the rude operators get away with it.
I think Oregon has the right idea, that is to educate the boater by requiring a boating safety course to operate a vessel. It is a start. You can help by knowing the rules of the road. If someone is approaching from your starboard side to pass in front of you, they most likey have the right of way. You should see a red light which gives them the right of way, unless one of the exceptions apply eg sailing vessel sailing, fishing vessel dragging gear(not just hooks) or a large vessel in a narrow channel. There are many exceptions, but you should know the basic rules.

The other day while preparing my jetski to launch a boater snaked me on the boat ramp only to make me wait 10 minutes while he prepared his boat to launch. I waited with courtesy.

I like to jet ski, boat, windsurf and surf. I am curtious in all water activities. I keep to myself and enjoy the day. A day on the water is the best way to spend time.

So if your stressed about the other guy, slow down, take a deep breath and remember why you are out on the water. Boat safely, and offer assistance to those in need.

1tuberider
 
We all are familiar with road rage, but I have had more incidents with water rage. On three different occasions.

One of them occurred 50 miles out in the Pacific. Out off the Tres Marias in Mexico there is a sunken island. after running that far with the Hunky Dory, we ( two of us ) were going to fish. There was a large fishing Yacht on the peak of the island. He was drifting over the knob, We got in line to drift behind them. They made it clear they wanted us away from them and wanted the spot for themselves. It was probably a 60 footer I think is was out of California. They had a piece of canvas hanging over their transom, so you couldn't see the name. The had about 4 or 5 guys fishing. The captain started his engine and attempted to run us over. Twice he made a run at us, We could not" out run him (we tried ) but we could turn faster and sharper than him. That is the only way we avoided being hit. No Coast Guard to call and Mexico does not allow any fire arms.

Florida, at a launching ramp was the site of the other two situations. We had just launched our boat and was parking the truck and trailer. Two or three guys we standing on the road talking. as I drove by the trailer wheel dropped into a chuck hole. A small amount of water apparently splashed up and hit one of these guys on his fashioned fishing shirt. I was totally unaware it happened. Two guys came toward me after I got out of the truck. They were ready to fight. I asked what is the problem. He said I splashed on him. He turned to show me his shirt with a very small amount of water on it. I said " gee I'm sorry" Other guys were coming over to back him up. He kept on me, I kept telling him I was sorry. I said " what in the @#$%^&* do you guys want, blood. All I can do is say I'm sorry.

One other rage took place as we were coming in to pick up the boat after a days fishing. A guys was ahead of us. He make a loop toward the dock went on by to another dock. We nosed our boat to the dock to let off someone to get the truck and trailer then backed off to wait. The guy gave us a couple of lude gestures. For what reason? I had no idea. As we were both set in the slots waiting for trailer, I asked the guy if he was having a bad day. Oops, wrong thing to say. The guy went into a total rage. Wanted me to meet him up on the dock. All I could do was laugh at him which probably didn't help matters any. He had to be my age which at that time was in the early sixties.
You know, I was proud of myself for not rising to the occasion. I wasn't
always that way.
Captd
 
I paddle a sea kayak quite a bit on the Columbia River, in the lower estuary. Certainly, I see rude behavior now and then, mostly at ramps, with people leapfrogging each other or tying up the ramp. Sea kayaks take much longer to prepare for the water than a power boat, what with packing gear in hatches, donning sprayskirt and wet suit, etc., so that I try to do everything I can off-ramp, and get in and go as fast as possible. I would just be a grease spot on a big cruiser's hull at the ramp, so when I return, I am very quick to get out of there!

Even so, once an older gentleman told me in no uncertain terms that "you don't belong here -- you did not pay for this," at a public boat ramp near here (John Day). Really stunned me, and I did not have a snappy comeback. Should have, since it was a county ramp, partly funded by the state via fuel taxes, and partly by the County I live in (and pay taxes to!). In the end, it was better to gather my kit and ignore him.

I've had a couple run-ins with PWC's, but usually I chat them up at the launch point, admire their rig, ask how fast it will go, etc., and they give me a friendly wave when I see them later. Gotta remember the tooth picks, though, for the jerks! They like to run the bay, and sometimes they do so at very low water, sucking grit into their impeller ... but not for long!

Wakes are not an issue in sea kayaks if paddled by an experienced person. Actually, we like 'em! it's canoeist that hate wakes. Sea kayaks can handle almost any wake a C-Dory can make. I really enjoy tug wakes -- big, meaty water, good for a little action. Turns out that a wake made by a planing craft with very low deadrise is much less annoying to most paddlers than the wake the same craft makes in displacement mode (no surprise to mos of you, I suppose), so when a planing boat slows down too much, it actually throws more wake than when on plane.
 
captd":7kdloei9 said:
as I drove by the trailer wheel dropped into a chuck hole. A small amount of water apparently splashed up and hit one of these guys on his fashioned fishing shirt. I was totally unaware it happened. Captd
Click to expand...

:lol: That reminds me of when I ran over a ketchup package pulling into a parking space and didn't know it. You couldn't have aimed better. The women was going to kill me !!! I would have much preferred a big ugly Bubba to fight with than listening to that abuse while leaving rapidly. :shock:
Some people will not except the fact that it was an accident.
 
Having been a cop for 18 years for the City of Berkeley, which borders Oakland, CA ('nuf said) that none of these stories should surprise me, but I have to admit that reading about people who purposely operate a boat to harm another is still very disturbing!

My incidents, even the one in the Sacramento River Delta in which I thought I was going to die, were all negligent operation of a vehicle. There was no intent other than a lack of taking necessary precautions, but Valkyrie's experience:

I was singlehanding Spirit south in Hawk's Channel with no other boats in sight until a big sport fisherman approached from the south at least 1/4 mile off my course, changed course to pass within 10 feet of my bow, increased to WOT and almost hit me! As they passed, three guys threw beer cans at my boat and the guy on the fly bridge flipped me off.
Click to expand...

Or as my Mom would say, "The fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree" with regard to Valkyrie's other experience:

Anyhow, Dad came out on the PWC to read me the riot act and then duplicated his son's feat, coming within five feet of our hull and then cutting across our bow...
Click to expand...

But most disturbing is Captd's experience:

The captain started his engine and attempted to run us over. Twice he made a run at us, We could not" out run him (we tried ) but we could turn faster and sharper than him. That is the only way we avoided being hit.
Click to expand...

Thank God these people are rare! Let's hope they are the same people who all those Viagra and Cialis commercials are directed to...Lord knows we don't need them capable of reproducing. :wink

One more thought...

1Tuberider brings up a very good point. Not all cigarette boat owners are jerks, not all PWC owners are jerks and I'm sure not all C-Dory owners are saints (of course I'm talking about the rest of you..not me, of course) and realistically I think most people want to do the right thing. Unfortunately, it only takes a visible few of any group to screw things up for everyone.

To quote my mom again
When you're out there you represent our family. Don't embarass us!
Click to expand...

Of course she meant it in the most loving sense :wink:

-Carl
 
One of the ones that gets me is the huge yachts on lake washington, or out in the sound. We will be out fishing or just drifting, and they will pass within 30 feet of us kicking out a HUGE wake, I even had one guy do it last year when my son and I were both on the bow in the lake. Now I understand maybe if it's the only place to go but when your in open water with plenty of room to go around it gets me a little, hot.

Or last saturday I was fishing the bubble, and everyone is fishing in the same basic direction and I see this boat turning right towards me crossing everone's path doing a big wide turn, I had to steer off to avoid getting ran into, and then as I pass him I see no one is driving the boat, he's too busy dealing with his gear just letting the boat turn in circles in the middle of all these boats.

Or last summer on the hood canal, I had just launched my boat at a single lane launch, and was motoring away, when I heard a huge CRUNCH!! my wife and father in law had just backed me down and I just drove the boat off , didn't tie up or anything. This guy who was obviously impatient, starts backing around my wife who had just started to pull up off the ramp, He slammed his brakes when she started to move, and his boat promptly slid off his traler about 75 feet from the water. Right on the outdrive and hull. My father in law helped him winch it back on the trailer and asked why he was in such a hurry, the guy was visibly upset and said something about this being the third time he had dropped his boat like that :shock: .

On the other hand, I have met many courteous boaters who have slowed down, gone around, offered a hand when docking etc.... As well as I'm sure I have made a mistake or two before and done something stupid so I try to be understanding and not get too upset over the little stuff. Most of the time I suceed. :lol:
 
You ever notice how brave they get guzzleing beer ,slopping sub Species tostosterone around the harbour. Thats where they will wind up ,at the harbour pub when gas gets to be $6.00 a gallon . Just think how special you will feel because you own a sweet fine economic C-Dory.They will have that Big Sea Scow forsale on some parking lot. Hopfully the neighborhood Sub Species kids will vandalize it. What goes around comes around aint it nice ,self inflicted payback. Its pretty bad when even the ocean isnt big enough. Just think, here in Alaska we get a wide variety of mountain men ,deadlyest catch wanabes type of drunken idiots from all over the country. They think this is the last frontier and they can do anything and get away with it.
These are the specimans that people around the world think of as Americans and persist to hate. Can you blame them . They probably figure if they blow up a bunch of us then they surely will get a few of the low life ones too. One day, God will sort it all out ,until them Eggs and your Glock. Oh! by the way a BB gun is also a great addition to the cockpit. You know for those pesty Sea Gulls that poop on your deck. Keep your circle tight.
Doug Hanson
 
As a sailor & a C-Dory owner I have had my share of incidents with idiots.

I remember a few years back sailing on a lake beside another sailboat. We were about 50 feet apart and the women were enjoying a lengthy conversation about whatever it is women talk about (I try not to listen). It was a quiet, lazy afternoon with very little wind.

A bass boat came up from behind, and sure enough he had to run right between us!

There were no other boats on that stretch of the lake, he could have gone around us on either side with LOTS of room to spare. Makes you wonder if that fellow was even smart enough to own a boat, much less use it.

Last summer a group of us had my C-Dory on Raystown Lake in PA. Coming into the marina for ice cream & pizza (4 kids on board), we had to stop while a group of PWC users sat and BS'd a while. They knew we were there. They knew they were in our way. They really did not care.

By the same token I had 5 cars pull out in front of me the day I brought my new Harley Davidson home. Shucks, I thought about selling it the same day I bought it!

I guess it does not matter what sport or hobby a person enjoys, there will always be people who act like jerks and are probably not smart enough to realize what they are doing.

It's too bad people today did not have the upbringing of us older folk. My momma taught me to respect other people & not bother anyone. Kids today don't really give a damn. Sorry if I am too blunt.
 
Its like oh! Ge look at me, Im athletic . I have the strongest throttle thumb on the water . My daddy is rich and I get what I want and I do what I want ,you cant stop me. These are the ones that should be in Iraq not the cream of the crop.Im almost 61 and I dont see it getting any better. Their idea is that you cant touch me because the law is on my side,Im just a child. Well you can certainly kick the sh-- out of his old man .Maybe that will change his view on life. I hate to sound hostile but the weak shall perish. I aint going to let some snotty nosed sub species ruin my day . My day consists of me and my circle and the people in it that I love and by God Im going to see to their safety one way or another.
Doug
 
I grew up the hard way along the coast of Maine. Trust me it hasnt got any better back there . There are a lot of nice hard working people from Kittery to Ft Kent . The problem is like everywhere else they get old and die off leaving that low life behind to take over. I guess someone put bleech in the gene pool. Not only that the smart ones leave because they cant make a decent living and when they do more than just get by from pay to payday it all goes to taxes. It will be interesting to see how the Wanderers jouney to Maine panned out. Ahya
Doug
 
Hehe once when I was in college I was slalom skiing and saw a friend from classes watching on the sea wall. I motioned for the boat to get close and I hard cut and nailed her with a huge rooster tail splash....thought nothing more of it at the time. The next afternoon I went to the parking lot after class and noticed I had a flat tire. After I changed it, I noticed a note on my windshield with something like " Jim, ther next time you soak me when I am dressed for dinner, it will be TWO tires so you can't just fix it with the spare!"

I guess I deserved that. Like I said earlier, I could be a water jerk too :mrgreen: Although that seems so tame by what I see and hear nowadays :(
 
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