Rural Knight wrote:


Welcome to the world of big boats, big wakes, big egos, big idiots.
Ok, idiots is a little harsh - selfish, uncaring idiots is better.

You see this all the time around the Mystic/Newport area. Most of
the vessels are 50+, capable of running 30-40 knots and throw a wake
that look like freakin' mountains.

There's not much you can do about it,

Actually, there is a LOT you can do about it. Complain to the Coast Guard &
local water cops, naming the boat, the time, the location, and refer to your
log.

An even better answer is to videotape the offender, making sure you get a good
shot of the registration numbers, ame & home port, and/or the helmsperson. In
my experience, if they see you videotaping them, they immediately start minding
their manners.

A lot of big boats are operated by pros. If they generate enough complaints, or
even one of the right sort of complaint, they can have their license yanked.
Most pros are aware of this and tread very lightly on ground that could lose
them their livelihood.

IMHO the worst offenders are the high dollar sportsfishermen. Relatively few of
them are captained by pros, usually a drunk egomaniac is at the controls
showing off for his buddies.




We've all been there - the bigger boats have the same rights to
the water as you do - as long as they weren't violating any rules
or regulations, you just have to deal with it.

Bigger boats do not have the right to endanger others, and ALL boaters are
responsible for their wake. FWIW I agree that the presence of dangerous idiots
on the road & on the water is the status quo, but it is the responsibility of
all to try and improve things, not shrug it off.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King