Passing in a Channel...

MeredithMan · 08-15-2016, 07:45 AM

...For the many years that I've been boating on the lake, I've always adhered to the "rule" that when in a channel, (e.g., Weirs Channel, GI Channel, Sally's Gut, etc), you maintain no wake, stay single file, (don't pass anyone going the same direction as you), and stay to the right.

Yesterday, around 10AM, I was in the GI channel heading west, (towards Weirs). A boat was in front of me and also one behind me. The one behind me kept getting closer and closer, and then proceeded up the middle of the channel, passing me. I was going 4 mph, (I have a digital speedometer), so the passer was going faster than that. He was not leaving a wake of any consequence, so I'm guessing his speed would also be classed as "headway speed". Boats were coming the other way heading toward Gilford, so not a very bright move in my opinion

So my question is, if two boats are in a channel, both going headway speed and not leaving a wake, can one pass the other if it's headway speed is just a bit faster? Is this illegal or just really annoying and not very bright? The only written rules I've seen around being in the channel is "no wake" and "do not exceed headway speed". But if I'm going 4 mph, and the other guy is going 5 mph, we are both under the umbrella of "headway speed", correct?

I know that someone from Marine Patrol sometimes reads this Forum, so I would really be interested in what he or she has to say on this subject.

Thanks.

08-15-2016, 07:45 AM	#1
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 866 Thanks: 233 Thanked 768 Times in 302 Posts	Passing in a Channel... ...For the many years that I've been boating on the lake, I've always adhered to the "rule" that when in a channel, (e.g., Weirs Channel, GI Channel, Sally's Gut, etc), you maintain no wake, stay single file, (don't pass anyone going the same direction as you), and stay to the right. Yesterday, around 10AM, I was in the GI channel heading west, (towards Weirs). A boat was in front of me and also one behind me. The one behind me kept getting closer and closer, and then proceeded up the middle of the channel, passing me. I was going 4 mph, (I have a digital speedometer), so the passer was going faster than that. He was not leaving a wake of any consequence, so I'm guessing his speed would also be classed as "headway speed". Boats were coming the other way heading toward Gilford, so not a very bright move in my opinion So my question is, if two boats are in a channel, both going headway speed and not leaving a wake, can one pass the other if it's headway speed is just a bit faster? Is this illegal or just really annoying and not very bright? The only written rules I've seen around being in the channel is "no wake" and "do not exceed headway speed". But if I'm going 4 mph, and the other guy is going 5 mph, we are both under the umbrella of "headway speed", correct? I know that someone from Marine Patrol sometimes reads this Forum, so I would really be interested in what he or she has to say on this subject. Thanks.