Thanks for being one of "us"

[Steve195]

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".

 

[Strypes]

Umm... you're welcome?!

 

[MancaveII]

Great post.

I'll freely admit when I had smaller boats, I didn't really commit to the knowledge of proper boating. I was certainly a safe pilot, but not a smart one. Concepts of channels and markers (other than hazard and no wake), were something the big boats needed to worry about. I learned a lot when stepping up to a bigger boat and thankfully in Virginia they require a boating course.

I'm forever sharing what I know and learning everyday.

V/r Us and Them

 

[northshore]

Yes - Great post!

My stepfather was ex Coast Guard.
Did the online tests, US Power Squadron class and a USCG Aux class before I ever had my boat.
I would have done all this anyways but I believe firmly that I would have been clubbed like a seal had I not done so. :grin:

The thought that always goes through my head is if anything goes wrong, Its not going to be because I wasn't prepared or did not know what I was doing.

 

[trflgrl]

And thank you to all the "us" who freely share their knowledge--or lack thereof--so we can keep learning and getting better.

As an inexperienced boater, it was refreshing and reassuring to be able to ask what feels like dumb questions and get thoughtful and respectful input. I'm sure there are those whose first thought is "duh!" before they type away in earnest and push their sarcasm into the commentary threads instead.


(Now can somebody help me figure out how to get First Mate to embrace the thought of adding a little knowledge by theory to his knowledge by experience?)

 

[boatman37]

although i was not required to complete the boaters safety course in PA, i did anyway. just for my own peace of mind. but i don't really worry much about stand on or other traffic, if i see another boat in my vicinity and i'm not quite sure what he is doing i will slow down until it is clear. i would much rather be safe than sorry so i'm not going to try to read that other guys mind or 'assume' he is as responsible as me. luckily we have not had any issues (other than 2 boats flying by us on plane about 30' away as we were anchored:smt013 on the Ohio river, near shore, with no other obstructions around, and these boats were bigger than mine). anyway....it comes down to common sense, which isn't so common these days

 

[Gofirstclass]

Steve, Bite Me!

Just kidding, of course. I make no claims to be the smartest boater out there. I have taken a boating course 5 times, the first around 1967-68 in Michigan. I take it again every time I get a new boat or a new First Mate. Yup, that has happened.

CSR is one of 5 forums I frequent. One, which shall remain unnamed, seems to have a large collection of old farts like me, but unlike me, I doubt they use their boats a lot. They never seem to post pics or stories of their boat trips. But they do seem to spend a lot of time reading COLREGS and legal issues related to boating. Every one of them sounds like a sh!t house lawyer and are quick to condemn others for what they thing are wrongs committed.

So, to all you CSR friends, thanks for putting up with this old fart and my stories and photos.

 

[Billfletcher]

GFC, like you, I like to check in on a few forums each night. I know which forum you are referring to. Yes, too much drama, and too much idle time on their hands.

Steve, Bite Me!

Just kidding, of course. I make no claims to be the smartest boater out there. I have taken a boating course 5 times, the first around 1967-68 in Michigan. I take it again every time I get a new boat or a new First Mate. Yup, that has happened.

CSR is one of 5 forums I frequent. One, which shall remain unnamed, seems to have a large collection of old farts like me, but unlike me, I doubt they use their boats a lot. They never seem to post pics or stories of their boat trips. But they do seem to spend a lot of time reading COLREGS and legal issues related to boating. Every one of them sounds like a sh!t house lawyer and are quick to condemn others for what they thing are wrongs committed.

So, to all you CSR friends, thanks for putting up with this old fart and my stories and photos.

 

[wrvond]

We're just bent that way, I guess!

 

[Steve195]

Steve, Bite Me!.

Well thank you so much! LOL.

Actually, you were the second person this week who said "Bite Me". The other was a co-worker who never liked me and just got fired, so I think he was serious!!

 

[juggernaut1]

In Oz we have to do a recreational skippers ticket before we can operate anything over 6 hp (varies depending on the state).

My boat also has 27meg and vhf radios. But a recent storm took out the 27 meg radio antenna. So that left me with the vhf unless I replaced the antenna. However again we need to hold a licence to operate a vhf in this country. Not having one combined with the loss of my 27 meg antenna resulted in me doing my vhf licence exam this week. I did find it quite interesting, as it also covered knowledge of leo and geo sats well as terms as luts with relation to Epirbs, mmsi country codes and prefixes, ais, ais-sarts, sarts, repeater stations and how to test if your in the vicinity of one, as well as the usual procedures for May Day, pan pan, securite, and general calls on the relevant channels.

Last Feb I was also part of a bi-annually held safety convoy to a popular local reef ridden island (Rottnest Island) with regard to approaching the island as well as getting in some of the more treacherous bays.

I guess I love all there is to owning, operating and enjoying boating and whilst I don't have anywhere near the experience most of you have, I'm bloody keen to be the best I can be.

 

[Blkbird]

It's good to learn from other people's experience rather than making the same mistake.

What I don't understand are the people who are in the wrong, risk damaging their boat and yours and possibly even injuring passengers, who will flip you the bird rather than admit and learn from their error. What on earth do they say to themselves after? "Boy I sure showed that guy, how dare he honk his horn at me for cutting right in front of him with my kids on a tube while he was on plane". Ummm.... 17 tons isn't going to stop in time to run your kids over if they fall off the tube.