Boating tip

[arkansasbowhunter]

I see so many times people who slow down off plane and pass by another fisherman at half pad or with there boat nose up in the air. These folks think they are respecting there fellow fisherman and being courteous. If they would just look at the wake being produced behind there boat they may need to rethink there strategy. At those speeds they are really throwing a bigger wake. So with that said, go by on pad or idle by your fellow fisherman and they will see you as being courteous.

[JeremyDale]

And if you know the person your passing by slow down and trim up your motor...get that nose as high as you can then turn away from them as your passing their boat. The result is usually a lot of laughing and a friendly 1 handed wave from your buddy.

[Buckrub]

AMEN Brother Ben!!! Say on, Preacher!!

Yeah!

Full "on plane" actually produces very little wake. I've seen (and fished with) folks that get mad when folks go by like that, but HEY, it's much better! Small wake, lasts a short time. Just don't get too close.

But if you can 'no wake' and wave and speak, then I know your Mama raised you right!!

[largemouth8]

Even though it may be courteous it could be against the law.

According to Arkansas Law: It is illegal to operate a vessel at a greater than "no wake speed" within 100 ft of a designated rec area, dock, pier, raft, float, anchored vessel, dam, intake structure, or other obstruction.
"No wake speed" is defined as not producing a wake or 5mph or less.

I am not one to want to argue with the law and try and convince them a boat wasn't anchored, and who knows what "other obstruction" is defined as, so I prefer the idle speed when passing other boaters.

[Gindog]

I like the nose up at 5 mph when I'm fish so my boat rocks me to sleep

[Cmj]

I don't see flying at full speed past someone who is trying to fish as being courteous. I fish out of a flat-bottom most of the time and I can assure you, you are still producing a wake. My grandfather taught me to slow to a fast idle when passing ANYONE, even a bank fisherman. I can see where it produces less of a wake, so if you pass me like that, i'll just give you a one-handed wave instead of using both so you will be less offended. Sound fair?


C.J.

[Buckrub]

You talking to me?

I said that 'no wake' is better. I just meant that full plane is better than half speed.

And it depends on where you are anchored. If you are in the middle of a well marked boat lane, or in a narrow river, it ain't always easy to slow down or even go around. I fish a lot of narrow rivers (Fourche La Favre, Cadron, etc) and if there are 30 boats 'anchored' up and down it, then you are just going up and down constantly. That's life......no biggie.

I remember when Nimrod was way low, and I went around an old man and his wife, as slow as my motor would go..........but I had to get within casting distance of him to get past him....it was 2 inches deep on either side of him, and he was within sight of the launching ramp. I don't know what he expected me to do, but when I got past, he let me have it. I stopped the motor, and turned around and told him he was in the boat lane, and that I went as slow as I could........ not sure what else I could have done.

I always slow down, best I can, and ease by.

[largemouth8]

I am not pointing any fingers, just making sure all who read this thread understand being courteous isnt always legal.


"And it depends on where you are anchored. If you are in the middle of a well marked boat lane, or in a narrow river, it ain't always easy to slow down or even go around."

According to the boating laws, there is not stipulations of where people are anchored. If someone is anchored, then you cannot drive faster than 5mph or cause a wake within 100ft of that boat, even if they are in the middle of a lane.

[Buckrub]

Ok.

[Cmj]

You talking to me?

I said that 'no wake' is better. I just meant that full plane is better than half speed.

No, I wasn't directing my comment at anybody in particular. This thread just struck a nerve, I guess. There seems to be a lot of people that think that it is ok to run past you wide open because it throws less of a wake. While it may be true, it is still rude IMO. I apologize if anyone took offense.


C.J.