Boating Etiquette

wis bang said:

I use Haycock ramp a lot which just happens to be the one closest to the one off-lake rental and they even have racks to hold the yacks while they get their cars along with a nice place for them and they still get in the way....
Now near the launch and part way down towards the dam I will throttle back when near them but my tiny 3.5 on my Jon doesn't compare to those with twenty horses..

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Billy H said:

HA!! A homer. I launch at the other end at three mile run. Been going to the nock since it first opened. Traffic on the water sure has changed drastically in the last 10 years.

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Billy H said:

That’s a shame. The lake I mentioned is pretty big and there are four boat ramps in different areas. The ramp I use is a single but you could squeeze two in a pinch. At this ramp 25 yards off to one side they installed a gravel ramp specifically for kayaks but many still choose to dilly dally at the ramp without a care in the world. They actually spent big bucks and installed a kayak specific aluminum adaptive dock and launch at the lake that even those with physical handicaps can use it as well. I’ve never seen it used.

Like I said not all those that paddle are like that. I’ve met some fine folks that do the yak thing. Some folks have probably never been on the water in the past and just don’t know, but plenty just don’t care.

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wis bang said:

I've launched at three mile a few times too, switched to Hancock when PENDOT repaired a bridge on Rt. 313. Once I get to Doylestown; the drive is about the same. Paddle boards drifting around near the bridge and down lake aren't that bad but the cluster of novices sticking close to the ramp and picnic area demands a lot of caution.

Went to highschool with the kids from St. Johns and watched their tiny dirt road get paved and he sarcastically mentioned the yellow line. Watched it fill but never fished there until I retired.

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Crazyboat said:

There's a couple of things to point out. If you do damage or cause injury with your wake, you are legally responsible. You could easily swamp or capsize a small boat with larger boats wake. Another problem is, if a passing boat is fully up on plane, they may be throwing a 1-2' wake, if they slow but not enough to throw no wake they may wind up hitting you with a 3-4' wake, making their slowing down a worse expectance for you.

So unless a person is prepared to slow to no wake speed I kind of prefer they remain on plane. All that said, if you're fishing in a channel, get out of the channel.

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EricMN said:

In my area, WI, MN, it’s hard to believe they allow wake ski boats. In addition to throwing a huge wake affecting surrounding boats, the shore line erosion they cause is much greater than anything else on the water.

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LDUBS said:

I understand what you are saying. My concern is if the gov't gets involved in saying what kind of boat wake is allowed, we will all be in trouble.

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Crazyboat said:

There's a couple of things to point out. If you do damage or cause injury with your wake, you are legally responsible. You could easily swamp or capsize a small boat with larger boats wake. Another problem is, if a passing boat is fully up on plane, they may be throwing a 1-2' wake, if they slow but not enough to throw no wake they may wind up hitting you with a 3-4' wake, making their slowing down a worse expectance for you.

So unless a person is prepared to slow to no wake speed I kind of prefer they remain on plane. All that said, if you're fishing in a channel, get out of the channel.

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OldSailor85 said:

We'll all be running electric motors with satellite control.

The government will "turn on" your motor on approved fishing days. Speed will automatically be governed by GPS location.

I'll probably be dead by then.

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CRS said:

Common courtesy and sense should be the only rules necessary. Unfortunately there are far too many that practice neither. Kayakers cutting across in front of boats, power boats speeding along totally ignorant of the damage their wake is causing. Fishing that blocks ramps and docks and others that refuse to change course and cut lines or otherwise wreck the fishing. The world is populated by ignorant slobs of all types,

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monzster said:

Thats the other thing I dont get is fishing from the boat ramp. EVERY ramp I have ever been to has a sign up saying not to do it but people do it anyway. When you say something to them they get all defensive and up in your face, really??? Its like they are there just to start ****.

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