Doesn't anyone know what 150' means on the lake?

[gf2020]

Some of you guys need to learn to lighten up a bit and enjoy boating no matter where you are or how the rules may or may not be followed. Tow your boats 100 miles south and spend a summer weekend on Boston Harbor if you want to gain a better understanding for what other people deal with.


I purchased my boat at Shep Brown's but I keep it in East Boston. I had it up for service in June so last Friday my sons and I came up to retrieve it and we spent the whole day on Winnipesaukee. Up to Center Harbor, down to Wolfeboro, over to South Down Shores to visit friends and then back to Shep's. It was a beautiful day.


On Saturday morning we were back in Boston to see the tall ships and navy vessels. We did it again on Sunday evening. Today we were out early to secure a good spot in the harbor for the USS Constitution turnaround and Blue Angels flyover.


A lot of time on the water in 2 states over the past 6 days. Did I see plenty of dumb moves? Sure, but I put stock in my own training, experience and equipment. You'll never dictate the behavior and actions of others, you can only be prepared to ensure your own safety and that of your passengers.

[WinterHarborGirl]

Originally Posted by gf2020

Some of you guys need to learn to lighten up a bit and enjoy boating no matter where you are or how the rules may or may not be followed. Tow your boats 100 miles south and spend a summer weekend on Boston Harbor if you want to gain a better understanding for what other people deal with.


I purchased my boat at Shep Brown's but I keep it in East Boston. I had it up for service in June so last Friday my sons and I came up to retrieve it and we spent the whole day on Winnipesaukee. Up to Center Harbor, down to Wolfeboro, over to South Down Shores to visit friends and then back to Shep's. It was a beautiful day.


On Saturday morning we were back in Boston to see the tall ships and navy vessels. We did it again on Sunday evening. Today we were out early to secure a good spot in the harbor for the USS Constitution turnaround and Blue Angels flyover.


A lot of time on the water in 2 states over the past 6 days. Did I see plenty of dumb moves? Sure, but I put stock in my own training, experience and equipment. You'll never dictate the behavior and actions of others, you can only be prepared to ensure your own safety and that of your passengers.

Great pictures!!!! The Blue Angels flew over my house yesterday while we were working out in the yard....They were so loud but so awesome!!!

[upthesaukee]

Left Parker Marine yesterday PM, had a boat to my left with a bunch of kids in it, adult driving. Jetski came up on my right. All in no wake area. got past the bandstand and jet ski took off. no problem. Other boat took off no problem. He was heading straight out toward Sandy Pt. No problem. Then I went up on power. Jetski left me in the dust. Other boat looked like he was going to split the buoys at Sandy Pt. All of a sudden he turns right, and cuts in front of me to go to the east of the flasher and black buoy. Not really bad...I came off the throttle because I was watching him. Came back on throttle and was following him in his wake by maybe a hundred yards...at least a pitching wedge behind him . See the jetski that had passed me and took off at the beginning now approaching from my left in between the two boats (we are doing about 30), jumps the wake and turns to follow the first boat. He's doing a little swerving and hitting the edge of the wake in front of me. I backed off a ways, as I could just see his passenger fall off in front of me.
Dangerous...maybe a little. Not following the rules of navigation, yielding to the boat on the right...yeah. Unexpected...sort of. When I learned to drive a car, my driver ed guy said to drive defensively, expect the unexpected from the other person, and try to always have a way out of a situation. Applies nicely to boating.
I let the others go...rather have them in front of me where I can see them and plan accordingly. 150 rule misapplied alot...probably. dangerous...occasionally. Can you plan for others moves...almost all the time. So is it a really big deal...nope. Gives my wife and I an opportunity to talk about someone or something. Worst case, I come to a stop, and hold my arms out to my side with my palms up, all fingers together, as if to say "What's up with that move". Beyond that, time on the lake is too precious to get too worked up over this stuff. (But I must admit...I love to hear stories about the crazy boating antics of others, because it really does make me ! Enjoy your boating, everyone.

[lake4life]

Boating on the lake is safe. Sure, some people will throttle past me only being 60' ft away on a busy weekend, and it might rustle my jimmies, but I don't feel that I'm in danger. In fact, I can't think of any time in the past 20 years of boating on Winnipesaukee when I've had so much as a bona fide 'close call'. Plenty of people not following the rules or using their heads, but not enough to make me reluctant to enjoy the waterways. You just have to be aware of your surroundings to guard against the occasional bonehead.

[ossipeeboater]

betting half these violations are truly not violations. 150 feet is no where near the distance most think it is and everyone gets so paranoid when boats are close. Grew up ocean boating, done a ton of boating on winni, Ossipee, Sebago and if people just use common sense that's way more effective in keeping you safe than whether that boats 125 feet away or 175 feet.

[jrc]

I think the 150' rule is as much about courtesy as safety. Most violations are rude bust not dangerous.

We all have our first duty to avoid a collision. So if someone comes off the throttle or passes behind the other boat but it should have been the other then no extra danger. The only dangerous part is when neither yields.

Given the nearly constant lack of serious injuries, with a few notable and tragic exceptions, it really can't be that dangerous out there.

[Rusty]

I'll bet that most people (including members here) don't even know what NH RSA the 150 ft rule is in. In-fact they probably don't know what RSA stands for.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I'll bet that most people (including members here) don't even know what NH RSA the 150 ft rule is in. In-fact they probably don't know what RSA stands for.

I don't know the RSA for first degree murder, but I don't kill people.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Left Parker Marine yesterday PM, had a boat to my left with a bunch of kids in it, adult driving. Jetski came up on my right. All in no wake area. got past the bandstand and jet ski took off. no problem. Other boat took off no problem. He was heading straight out toward Sandy Pt. No problem. Then I went up on power. Jetski left me in the dust. Other boat looked like he was going to split the buoys at Sandy Pt. All of a sudden he turns right, and cuts in front of me to go to the east of the flasher and black buoy. Not really bad...I came off the throttle because I was watching him. Came back on throttle and was following him in his wake by maybe a hundred yards...at least a pitching wedge behind him . See the jetski that had passed me and took off at the beginning now approaching from my left in between the two boats (we are doing about 30), jumps the wake and turns to follow the first boat. He's doing a little swerving and hitting the edge of the wake in front of me. I backed off a ways, as I could just see his passenger fall off in front of me.
Dangerous...maybe a little. Not following the rules of navigation, yielding to the boat on the right...yeah. Unexpected...sort of. When I learned to drive a car, my driver ed guy said to drive defensively, expect the unexpected from the other person, and try to always have a way out of a situation. Applies nicely to boating.
I let the others go...rather have them in front of me where I can see them and plan accordingly. 150 rule misapplied alot...probably. dangerous...occasionally. Can you plan for others moves...almost all the time. So is it a really big deal...nope. Gives my wife and I an opportunity to talk about someone or something. Worst case, I come to a stop, and hold my arms out to my side with my palms up, all fingers together, as if to say "What's up with that move". Beyond that, time on the lake is too precious to get too worked up over this stuff. (But I must admit...I love to hear stories about the crazy boating antics of others, because it really does make me ! Enjoy your boating, everyone.

Sounds like you follow the same set of rules that I do on the lake. There is no place that I HAVE to be when I'm out drilling holes in the water.
My boating safety rules are simple and easy to remember. They have kept me safe and SANE for just over 15 years on the lake.
Rule # 1
You never Ever EVER have the right of way.
Rule # 2
In the event of an exception, See rule # 1.

What a great boating week this has been. Stay safe, everybody.

[BroadHopper]

is when someone throttles pass you at about 60 feet and the MP stops you because you are closer and fine you for violating the 150' rule.

Lesson learn form this is that even though it is the other skipper who cause the violation, you must slow down to no wake speed.

Another lesson learned when rafting. If a boater decides to moor within 25', YOU need to maintain 50' rafting distance in no rafting zone. It doesn't matter who was there first, you must obey the law and maintain distance.

A number of innocent folks on the lake get nailed thanks to the discourteous boater.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Sounds like you follow the same set of rules that I do on the lake. There is no place that I HAVE to be when I'm out drilling holes in the water.
My boating safety rules are simple and easy to remember. They have kept me safe and SANE for just over 15 years on the lake.
Rule # 1
You never Ever EVER have the right of way.
Rule # 2
In the event of an exception, See rule # 1.

What a great boating week this has been. Stay safe, everybody.

I partially agree with this, but at this same time this sort of submissive behavior just encourages others to disregard the rules.

[RailroadJoe]

Have you driven on any highway lately?

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

I partially agree with this, but at this same time this sort of submissive behavior just encourages others to disregard the rules.

Submissive? Not at all. I just refuse to let anybody's callous errors control my thoughts and actions to the point that I get all upset and angry. I don't quite see how my "don't worry, be happy" attitude while on the lake encourages others to be disrespectful regarding the rules of safe boating. We have the Marine Patrol to worry about that.

[JDeere]

There is only one condition in boating the uses the words right of way. All others that I know of are stand on and give way. Both boaters have an obligation to avoid collision. So, if you are stand on and collide with a bonehead because he fails to give way you the stand on vessel are still at fault for not avoiding the collision. I agree that it is very frustrating when people ignore the rules but it really is the same on the roads as it is on the water. People run red lights, stops sign, yield etc…………….
We all have to drive defensively when on the water or land……………..but the boneheads can and do annoy us…………….and if there is a flagrant violation I think they should be reported to MP. I, personally have always found them to be responsive to a dangerous situation.

in an emergency (Figure 6-8).

The Inland Rules have an additional requirement
for narrow channels subject to currents. Vessels
traveling with the current (downbound) in
narrow channels or fairways have the right of way.
(Note: This is the only place in the Rules where
the term

right of way appears.) This rule is in effect

on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, and other
specified waters. The upbound vessel must yield
and allow the downbound vessel to pass. The rule
exists because it is easier to control your vessel
when you are traveling against the current than

when traveling with it.