unwritten lake rule

[gtxrider]

I find the same type of behavior in the super market or on the roads. People parking the cart on one side of the aisle and spending what seems like hours reading labels or prices. On the road they stop in the left lane to make a right turn.


As my grandfather used to say hurray for me the heck with you!


Look in Overtons they have water ballon sling shots.

If you fill the water ballon and place it in the freezer over night it does not break before hitting the intended target.

One of these hard water ballons place just below the water line should do the trick.

[ghfromaltonbay]

I agree with Mac about the boneheads in Alton Bay. I have seen boaters dropping children into the water to go tubing right in the channel off Sandy Point with the Mount coming down the bay in full view!!! They get "offended" if the Mount toots for them to get out of the way. This has nothing to do with road rage, it's stupidity.

Today I had a perfect example: As I exited the supermarket through the ONLY exit door there was a gentleman blocking the egress standing just outside the electric door reading his sales slip. Two of us behind him kept saying "excuse me", but he was oblivious. Just glad neither of us got whacked by the door.

[gtxrider]

Oh stop your whining you! You are at the lake this weekened!

[jceria]

I've been boating on the lake since the mid 80's. So many clueless boaters, ya now know why the state is making in mandatory to educate boaters.
Someone can go out and buy a boat with almost as much horse power as the space shuttle and simply drop it in and go with out any education or experience.

[masssteve]

We were on the way to Meredith the other day and there was a boat pulling a tube and was all over the place. We were going down the middle of Meredith bay. He cuts in front of me, made me come off plane and turn, and then gave me the finger! This is on a busy day and this idiots endangering this poor kid on this tube in the middle of traffic and he gets mad at me! If the driver reads this post, I'd love to have words!

[skiier]

Originally Posted by masssteve

We were on the way to Meredith the other day and there was a boat pulling a tube and was all over the place. We were going down the middle of Meredith bay. He cuts in front of me, made me come off plane and turn, and then gave me the finger! This is on a busy day and this idiots endangering this poor kid on this tube in the middle of traffic and he gets mad at me! If the driver reads this post, I'd love to have words!

Perhaps there was a better direction in which the driver could have turned (I don't know), but he had the right of way regardless.

If everyone obeyed the rules, the kid would not be in danger because any oncoming boats would slow down.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by skiier

Perhaps there was a better direction in which the driver could have turned (I don't know), but he had the right of way regardless.

If everyone obeyed the rules, the kid would not be in danger because any oncoming boats would slow down.

For me the issue is more one of common-sense and courtesy rather than outright safety. As mentioned by GH and myself above, we see things that just aren't smart and certainly indicate a lack of courtesy to others using the lake. Look at the pic below and note the skier trying to start out by FL 23 (indicated by arrow) - Sandy Pt. The boats should pass btw FL23 and the shore to the right. There was a fair amount of traffic (more boats just out of frame) going both ways when these guys were trying to ski. Why they didn't go a few hundred yards, up/down or across, to get out of the "channel" is beyond me. Especially as it became obvious from his multiple falls that the skier was a newbie. He did eventually get up though I don't think he was in dire danger of getting hit but they sure did mess up traffic flow unecessarily.

[LIforrelaxin]

All though I am not a big fan of it....seeing examples like MEE-N-MAC pointed out makes me wonder if designated skiing area might be in order these days....or conversly non-skiing areas......At least from say about 10 AM Sat. till sun down....and likewise on Sunday...........

[lfm]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

All though I am not a big fan of it....seeing examples like MEE-N-MAC pointed out makes me wonder if designated skiing area might be in order these days....or conversly non-skiing areas......At least from say about 10 AM Sat. till sun down....and likewise on Sunday...........

What a great idea, maybe we should just declare weekends no boating days making the lake just that much safer.

Seriously, More regulations - no thanks! I like to ski and always use my best judgement when picking an area to ski. Its soooo much better if you can find a quiet area anyway. While I have to admit I have seen someone foolishly trying to learn to ski just outside the channel in Paugus Bay on a busy weekend, other boaters like JRC gave them a wid berth and probably shook their heads along with me as we watched the poor skiier trying to get up amidst all the big wakes washing over him.

[Dave R]

The operator of the boat in Mee-N-Mac's photo needs some common sense. If I were an MP, that person would probably get a reckless operation ticket unless they were respectful and obviously sorry for doing something so stupid. What a dumb place to teach someone to waterski.

[SteveA]

To All,

Seems to me that what we really need here is some simple, common sense.

I'm one of those slow pontoons.. 20' 50HP... I go out on the lake when conditions are "good" for a pontoon. I Don't go to places that are bad for me.. I avoid spots that are not good for me...because of "Chop" or big wakes

The real problem comes from the folks that can clearly see a big old slow pontoon.. and don't seem to understand the "give way" rules... why go roaring in front of me.. and make me change direction to deal with the wake.. when they could just as easily cross my stern?

You know, the lake is for all of us... sailboats, pontoons, jet ski, rowboats and big high powered boats..

I want all of us to enjoy the lake.... we all should want the same thing...

Simple Common Sense... it's not all that hard...

[jrc]

Originally Posted by skiier

Perhaps there was a better direction in which the driver could have turned (I don't know), but he had the right of way regardless.

If everyone obeyed the rules, the kid would not be in danger because any oncoming boats would slow down.

How do you know that the driver had the right of way regardless? Massteve never told us who was on the right. What rule requires oncoming boats to slow down near tubers. As long as the 150' rule is obeyed, there is no requirement to slow down near tubers. Boats pulling tubers have no special right of way status.

Now when it comes to tubers, skiers, swimmers, divers or anyone else in the water, I always give a wide berth. Nothing scares me more than hitting a person with my boat.