"Capt. Bill" wrote
On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:51:16 -0400, "Sal's Dad" wrote:

OK Capt. Bill, I'll bite.

Just how DOES the "wake rule" work? And please, if you can, provide
citations or links? Apparently I have misunderstood all these years; I
would welcome an opportunity to be educated.

Sal's Dad


At least here in Florida from what I've been told by LE you are held
to a "reasonable person" standard.

In other words if your motoring down the ICW in a non-restricted speed
zone and your wake travels lets say, a 1/2 mile out and behind you,
and tips over a kayak-er that you couldn't see or be expected to know
was there you most likely would not be held liable.

This doesn't sound too bad at first, but as I think about it, I'm not so
sure I understand what it really means.

Seems to me, it is reasonable to assume people will be on and near the
water, in boats (or swimming, or playing in tidal pools...) appropriate to
the conditions they are likely to encounter. If you are going to change
those conditions, creating a new and hazardous series of breaking waves,
you could reasonably expect to have an impact...

I'm not familiar with the ICW, but from what I've heard it's pretty much a
congested Interstate; perhaps anybody playing on the edges should
reasonably expect rough water all the time. Where I am (on a "major" tidal
river) there might be one or two vessels that create a major wake in a
week... not sure what a "reasonable person" (whether wake-making, or
inconvenienced party) should expect...

Can anybody offer clarification?

Sal's Dad