Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodsy
I really don't get why people do not understand this very simple, very clear rule.
270-D:1 Definitions
VI. "Headway speed'' means 6 miles per hour or the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.
VIII. "No wake area'' means an area where a boat is to be operated only at headway speed.
The legal interpretation is VERY clear.
You are allowed up to 6 MPH... regardless of the wake generated. The only reason you can exceed 6 MPH is to maintain steerage and control. It is physically IMPOSSIBLE for a moving boat to leave NO WAKE.
Some people think no wake means DEAD SLOW.... It does not nor was it ever intended to. If that was the case NOBODY would get out of Paugus Bay on Labor Day weekend.
I got pulled over once for NWZ violation.... I asked the officer what the issue was, he told me too fast in a NWZ... I indicated my GPS said otherwise. I was travelling at 5 MPH. I offered to demonstrate, he politely declined, and sent me on my way.
If you need more than 6 MPH that you better have a good reason why... water currents, boat hull design etc etc... the 6 MPH was not a randomly chosen number.
The NWZ should be relabeled to HEADWAY SPEED ONLY thus eliminating any confusion.
Also note that the term "headway speed" is also used in several other RSA's
Woodsy
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I have to confess that I used to think it meant the slowest possible speed to maintain steerage with an absolute max of 6 MPH...