Steve195
Member
- Jan 15, 2016
- 314
- Boat Info
- 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tri-toon
- Engines
- Yamaha 150 Outboard
As I was reading some of the threads this morning about encounters with rude, unsafe, or just plain ignorant boaters, it got me to thinking.......
I think it's safe to say that those of us that regularly visit this (and other) boating forums have a greater quest for knowledge about boating than the vast majority of our fellow boaters out on the water. We enjoy learning about the mechanical, cosmetic, safety and navigation aspects of boating. But we are a small minority. I think most people think boating would be fun so they buy a boat, take a safety course (hopefully), don't do much more research or education then go jump in the boat.
We've all seen the resulting chaos on the waterways we frequent. The scariest people out there are the ones that don't know what they don't know, following closely by those that THINK they know everything so they have no need to learn more or listen to anyone else. When we get angry or frustrated (or scared) because of the actions of those ignorant boaters, it's usually a result of us having a broader and deeper knowledge base than others on the water. We use that knowledge to keep ourselves and our passengers safe. Just because someone should have known better, doesn't mean they do know better.
Unfortunately, when we are on the water there's usually no way for us to know if that approaching vessel is one of "us", or one of "them", so we have to always be extra vigilant. When I slow down, or take precautionary evasive action "just in case", it's usually subtle enough that my passengers never realize it, yet I still take great satisfaction knowing that everyone onboard is as safe as they possibly can be.
So to all of my fellow forum members, even though I may not know it when we pass on the water, thanks for being one of "us".
I think it's safe to say that those of us that regularly visit this (and other) boating forums have a greater quest for knowledge about boating than the vast majority of our fellow boaters out on the water. We enjoy learning about the mechanical, cosmetic, safety and navigation aspects of boating. But we are a small minority. I think most people think boating would be fun so they buy a boat, take a safety course (hopefully), don't do much more research or education then go jump in the boat.
We've all seen the resulting chaos on the waterways we frequent. The scariest people out there are the ones that don't know what they don't know, following closely by those that THINK they know everything so they have no need to learn more or listen to anyone else. When we get angry or frustrated (or scared) because of the actions of those ignorant boaters, it's usually a result of us having a broader and deeper knowledge base than others on the water. We use that knowledge to keep ourselves and our passengers safe. Just because someone should have known better, doesn't mean they do know better.
Unfortunately, when we are on the water there's usually no way for us to know if that approaching vessel is one of "us", or one of "them", so we have to always be extra vigilant. When I slow down, or take precautionary evasive action "just in case", it's usually subtle enough that my passengers never realize it, yet I still take great satisfaction knowing that everyone onboard is as safe as they possibly can be.
So to all of my fellow forum members, even though I may not know it when we pass on the water, thanks for being one of "us".