boating etiquette?

[Belmont Resident]

First why would you not turn around before getting there if you saw that much of a backup and only one-way traffic possible under the bridge?
I find it easier and less frustrating to just go around the island unless it is during off peak times. Usually this is before 10am and after 6pm.
We find that mid morning and just before dinner time are the worst times in heavy traffic areas because everyone is in a big rush to get where they want to go, at the same time, and pay little attention to rules.
Remember it is tourist season, a time when there are all sorts of people out boating. Many have little or no knowledge of proper boating or even rules to boat by.
Example
We were driving up Paugus bay Saturday morning around 7:30 on our way to the job site on Rattlesnake Island. Paugus bay was empty of all but a couple of ski boats and a few fishing boats.
We were beyond Christmas Island staying far right just off the mooring fields heading for the channel.
A ski boat makes a turn and comes at me forcing me to either cut power or turn out which I did. As they passed my son noticed there was no spotter on the boat only the female driver towing the male skier.
What I should have done is stay the course slow down to headway and leave a monster wake for the skier to navigate over. Next time I will.

[TiltonBB]

When you alternate, although it seems like the polite thing to do, it takes much longer for the same amount of boats to go under the bridge. That is what causes longer back ups. Each boat must wait for the boat in the opposite direction to not only go under the bridge but also get out of the way after they have come under the bridge.

Also it is pretty clear what is happening when a line of 3,4 or 5 boats is going through. It eliminates two people in boats on opposite sides of the bridge wasting time waving their arms. You go, no you go, no you go, no you go!

It is much more efficient for several boats to go through in one direction, and then several boats go through in the opposite direction.

Since there is no rule regarding this, why not do it in the most time and fuel efficient manner?

[Newbiesaukee]

You are correct, it is the most logical and efficient. Similar to construction causing one lane closed on the roads but here there is someone directing traffic. Human nature is not always logical and efficient. How do you communicate this to other boaters, how many boats should go through at a time,etc. Cumbersome as it is, alternating probably works best in the real world most of the time.

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

You are correct, it is the most logical and efficient. Similar to construction causing one lane closed on the roads but here there is someone directing traffic. Human nature is not always logical and efficient. How do you communicate this to other boaters, how many boats should go through at a time,etc. Cumbersome as it is, alternating probably works best in the real world most of the time.

I agree 100% with the statement above.

[travaler18]

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

First why would you not turn around before getting there if you saw that much of a backup and only one-way traffic possible under the bridge?

Whats the rush ? We are on our boats enjoying the lake .Sit back and enjoy the ride .Putting at no wake speed lets you relax a little and talk about the boneheads in front not letting anyone through.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by travaler18

Whats the rush ? We are on our boats enjoying the lake .Sit back and enjoy the ride .Putting at no wake speed lets you relax a little and talk about the boneheads in front not letting anyone through.

Some days it is just too hot to sit in a "No Wake" zone because people can't figure out how to go under a bridge.

Just so you know, not everyone on the lake is on vacation. Some of us who live on the lake use the boat to go to appointments, meet business people and conduct business. Realtors often show property to potential buyers by boat. The marinas pick up and deliver boats and have employees on the water every day.

Sometimes time is money.

[travaler18]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Some days it is just too hot to sit in a "No Wake" zone because people can't figure out how to go under a bridge.

Just so you know, not everyone on the lake is on vacation. Some of us who live on the lake use the boat to go to appointments, meet business people and conduct business. Realtors often show property to potential buyers by boat. The marinas pick up and deliver boats and have employees on the water every day.

Sometimes time is money.

You are absolutly right, some people are time pressed. I guess if I were in that situation I would refer to Belmont Residents solution.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Belmont Resident
First why would you not turn around before getting there if you saw that much of a backup and only one-way traffic possible under the bridge

[HUH]

Plenty of room for two way traffic under GI bridge but to those who are inexperienced its a challenge to go through single file

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by HUH

Plenty of room for two way traffic under GI bridge but to those who are inexperienced its a challenge to go through single file

I would never go under the GI bridge side by side a boat coming at me. Stricly a "one at a time" bridge.
Check the lake level next time you pass thru.

[SteveA]

boating etiquette Would this term qualify as an oxymoron?

[Airwaves]

When I go through the GI Bridge (UNLIGHTED the last time I went through and most of this summer!) and there are boats on the other side I wait until there is a reasonable gap.

A judgement call, yes, but one that has worked for me for decades! I live on one side of the bridge and a friend lives on the other so while I sometimes go around the island usually I go under the bridge.

Going under the bridge beem to beem AT HEADWAY SPEED is nuts unless you are talking PWCs!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by Airwaves

When I go through the GI Bridge (UNLIGHTED the last time I went through and most of this summer!) and there are boats on the other side I wait until there is a reasonable gap.

A judgement call, yes, but one that has worked for me for decades! I live on one side of the bridge and a friend lives on the other so while I sometimes go around the island usually I go under the bridge.

Going under the bridge beem to beem AT HEADWAY SPEED is nuts unless you are talking PWCs!

Today we took one of our boats out at Lee's Mills. I waited patiently with my boat while someone put their boat in at the launch. My husband was already to back down the launch when a truck cut him off. A boat left the dock and whipped by me to take out his boat. I sometimes wonder what has happened to manners. The people that did this were not young kids, but 50ish. They should have known better!