Boating Etiquette

[officeworker]

I'm a complete noob on this topic.

DH and I are buying a motorboat (YAY!).  We will do the requisite safety courses, but I want to read what I can in advance.  Can anyone point me to some good books, magazines, online resources, etc. about basic boating etiquette?  There've got to be hundreds of rules on where to tie up, when/where to empty your fish locker, whether you're supposed to invite the dockmaster on board, etc. etc. etc.  Tips and stories of your own are most welcome!!

I thought this would be another good topic for the EHell Guide to Never Behaving Badly, too. 

[evely28]

I would suggest looking into the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. They offer class'es and membership. Rules, regulations and etiquette are addressed.

Congratulations on becoming a mariner.

[rashea]

Get the book from your local state and read it. It's not etiquette so much as law.

The big ones I think are cleaning off your boat when you get out so you don't spread weeds (they can kill a lake really fast), not speeding right past a motionless boat or non-motor boat, and not hogging the boat launch.

As for emptying fish lockers and such, I suspect that will change in each location.

[Pinky830]

My one and only experience with owning a boat was when DH and I owned a small ski boat for a couple of years. We didn't have a slip, just put in at the public ramp, and the main etiquette rule I learned there was to not waste too much time when you're putting in, and for pete's sake to go ahead and move your truck to the parking place as soon as you're done.

Oh, and to kill your wake if you have to pass close to a sailboat. Operative word being "have to." Sailboats have the right of way and motorcraft should give them a wide berth.

Etiquette for fishing and tying up at the marina, I'm not sure.

[kherbert05]

Set the brake on your truck while putting your boat in, and when parked on the bank. People don't like it when your truck goes backwards down the bank and into the water. (My cousins should have had more sense)

Buying or Leasing a slip/house with a slip does NOT mean you own the water in front of it. Find out what the local rules are before you buy/lease/rent. If you don't like the look of the lobster traps, mussel lines - learn to live with it because deliberately destroying them by going over them with a propellor when the open lanes are clearly marked will result in

1. You being arrested
2. You being held civilly liable for the lost income and destroyed equipment
3. The locals deciding to not do business with you. Meaning you can't buy groceries, gas, or other supplies.

(Messing with my Uncle was a really bad idea. My Uncle held the lease on the water not the summer person with the boat.)
 

[lilfox]

Don't swamp other people's docks, watch out for your wake even when actual signs aren't posted.

Any craft smaller/less maneuverable than you has the right of way (there may be exceptions).  Smaller craft shouldn't abuse this either (eg by canoeing in open water that is frequently crossed by motorboats).

If you're towing people on skis or wakeboard, the spotter needs to be quick with the flag after the person falls, and the flag should be up and visible the entire time the person is in the water.  Respect the flag and give that boat a wide berth, esp if you don't see the person in the water.

Don't blast your music - sound carries REALLY well across the water.

[kkl123]

I'm going to second the Coast Guard Auxillary.  Three important rules to remember are red/right/returning and EVERYONE wears life jackets on this boat and don't dispose of stuff in the water or on shore if you're not sure that's where it goes. 

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com looks like a pretty good starting spot for you.

Have fun!  Stay safe!

ps: I'm serious about the life jacket stuff... I'm a good swimmer but accidentally came off a boat in a hard turn (avoiding a skier down in the water at the last minute.)  I was literally stunned by the force of impact with the water.   And I've pulled I dunno how many novice boaters out of the water, some without even a life jacket on the babies.  :-(

[Cz. Burrito]

The big one is that non-motorized craft always, always have the right of way.  Also, don't pass too close to sailboats, canoes, kayaks, etc.  What seems like a reasonable distance to you may be too close.  Give them a wide berth so that your wake doesn't bump them around (or capsize them in the case of smaller craft).    

Be mindful of others' anchor lines when anchoring.  Allow enough space between yourself and other boats such that there is no risk of hitting another boat as the boats swing around their anchors. 

[officeworker]

Thanks for the tips.

Again, we're semi-aware and plan to get further trained in the safety-related rules and regulations (have already completed the online training offered by the Michigan DNR).  I'm looking for those things that may not be covered in the Safety Course but are more etiquette-related.

[mrs_deb]

If you're trailering your boat, remember that the person whose truck and trailer is first onto the ramp is the first one to take out, even if that boat wasn't the first one at the ramp. 

If you're waiting for a public dock in your 20' along with someone in a 36', and a large or double space becomes available, it's polite to let the larger boat take it, even if you were first.

Always snap your ladder up, and bring in your fenders, before getting underway.  Otherwise people will KNOW you're a noob  .

Don't anchor in a channel.  (That's between those solid red and black markers.)

Don't let your anchor line cross another boat's, when in close quarters. 

Keep a second anchor on board for the stern when anchoring in close quarters.

Remember, just like driving on the road - you may have the right of way, but don't expect the other guy to yield it properly.  Always be ready for him to do a Captain Bonehead move.

Boating Magazine has some great stuff.  Also, they have a Facebook page, if you're into that.

Happy Boating!

[RooRoo]

Notes from our former summer house on a large New England lake:

Respect the buoys. That includes water-skiers. Don't assume there is deep water between those two rocks; you will damage your skies when you hit the barely-submerged rock between them. Yes, that's why there's a buoy. (I witnessed that one.)

No, it's not public property. You may not picnic there without permission. And curses on the trespassers that leave their trash, especially in the water. I stepped on someone's broken bottle, getting a deep cut right across the ball of my foot and ruining the rest of my summer. I was eight.

Yes, canoes have the right of way. And we are allowed in deep water. If I live at the mouth of a large bay, and want to visit friends on the other side, why should I paddle 6 times further by hugging the shore, when I can go straight across?

And you in the Chris-Craft,* making those exquisitely funny tight circles around my canoe... bad words to you. You didn't capsize me. Neener neener.

Even worse words (including opprobrious epithets) for the youngsters who did the same thing while my mother and I were clinging to our capsized sailboat. (It was a rented convertible row/sail boat, that we were considering buying.) Blessings on the heads of the ones who finally helped us out.

*Nothing against Chris-Crafts. They're very nice boats. I only mentioned the brand because they make a large wake.

(Big sigh) How I miss those days...

[rashea]

Even worse words (including opprobrious epithets) for the youngsters who did the same thing while my mother and I were clinging to our capsized sailboat. (It was a rented convertible row/sail boat, that we were considering buying.) Blessings on the heads of the ones who finally helped us out.

Wow, my Dad would skin me alive and my Grandfather would come back from the dead if I ever saw someone in trouble on the water and didn't stop and offer them help. I can't tell you how many people I've towed back to shore, even with the little jet ski. That's not just rude, that's dangerous.


I do slightly disagree about the canoe. At least in terms of crossing a small channel. If you know it's a high traffic area, you may be allowed to go across, but it might still not be wise.


And if you have one of the million candle power+ flashlights, be careful where you shine it. (These are essential for boating on some lakes at night, it's the only way to see the markers, or the only way to watch for rocks if you miss the markers.)

[MrTango]

In many places it's the law, but even if the laws don't require it, please (PLEASE) make sure when you take your boat out of the water that you pull away from the launch and then stop to ensure that your bilges and livewells are fully emptied and drained and that there is no debris or weeds on the boat/trailer.

That's the only way to prevent the spread of invasive species.