No wake?

[dwna1a]

We did our first overnight on July 3rd, went up to Rocketts Landing in Richmond. Everyone had a blast, fireworks, wine (in the slip). Rocketts is in a "no wake zone" it is posted and has markers. We were blasted all night long with bass boats and little run a bouts, one boat was even kind enough to run about 75' off the slips yelling obscenities at the folks in the bars at the top of the hill. Until all this my wife was all set to rent a slip there and call that home port for a year. Who is supposed to enforce these zones, and how do you get help when it gets out of hand like this?

[blaster]

Unfortunatly that's what happens when inexperience and beligerant stupidity are unleashed on our waters. Many people have no idea what a wake even is let alone have the courtesy to control it. Enforcement of wake zone violators is much like speeding enforcment. Usually only the worst offenders are targeted as most seem to do it. Individuals are responsible for their wake and any damage they cause from it. Video can help in instances where a wake causes property damage but in reality most people get away with it.

A houseboat at the Gangplank marina in D.C. sank after a large vessel threw a giant wake in the wee hours which caved in a door and window. It not only sank but it took down a good bit of floating dock with it. All from a careless wake.

[Bob & Sue]

You should try boating in Puget Sound we were out all day yesterday between the 12-20' fishing boats that seem to think they are bass fishing running maybe 1/4 mile to another spot full throttle to the next spot through 10-20 boats floating and the larger boats of 30-75' cruising through close to shore it's like being in the ocean. I got on the VHF and called one boat that almost swamped 2 small boats and told him to watch his wake he came back what wake that's your problem then the Coast Guard got on the radio wanting to know his location and told him it was his responsibility he never answered. Then you have the shipping lanes they can put up an easy 6-8' wake I have been surprised a couple times and berried the bow with water coming over the windshield. Our no wake zones are enforced by local police boats they do a good job but they can't be everywhere. Hardly anybody seems to pay attention to their wakes even when there's open water they can run in they would rather make things miserable for everyone else. Doesn't seem like anyone has any manners ever had someone crash into your cart while talking on the phone then say SORRY or run a red light with a couple of kids in the back.

[dicor]

Security was very important to us when we chose a Marina the NJ State Police, Ocean County Sheriff and the local township police all keep their boats at our Marina as well as the NJ State police man a satellite office connected to the back of the Marina. Everybody that comes and goes needs to run the gauntlet of badges. That is the only thing that keeps the knuckleheads in line.

[BritLady]

Unfortunately, folk who make too much wake in no wake zones, or are too rowdy are just part of today's society...and they nearly always get away with it...They don't care about anyone other than themsleves and never look at life from someone else's "knot hole". No manners, no social graces just concerned with what they want.....I think it's actually termed "The Self Society". Another example is road rage, we never used to have that years ago but nowadays it's quite common. Thankfully dwna1a found out what it was like in that spot before they commited to a slip for a year. It could have been worse, they could have found out after signing on the dotted...:) Hope they find a good quiet home for their "baby".

[jason78]

We see this behavior constantly, more out of bass boats that any other but the occasional crusier, bow rider or pontoon as well.

I think half the people described don't have a clue what no wake markers even are much less what planet they are operating a boat on. At least on our lake, usually when you ask a pontoon, bow rider or crusier to slow down they do; typically the fishermen give you the finger and go on their way. At least on our lake, the vast majority of those zipping around in bass boats are very rude and often unsafe individuals.

I wish something would be done but I rarely see no wake zones enforced.

[dicor]

[CV-23]

Definition of no wake is "in gear at idle" (600rpms at 2mph)...plenty of boaters do not do that. I can run 1200rpms and have no wake at 4mph...up to 1400rpms at 6mph without really pushing a bow wake. We have State Law Enforcement on the water in PA, Mike.

[Bob & Sue]

Definition of no wake is "in gear at idle" (600rpms at 2mph)...plenty of boaters do not do that. I can run 1200rpms and have no wake at 4mph...up to 1400rpms at 6mph without really pushing a bow wake. We have State Law Enforcement on the water in PA, Mike.

On most of our no wake zones they are posted with a Speed Limit 5 MPH and No Wake I spoke with the local patrol boat at the dock he said it meant no wake 5 mph max with no wake if 3 mph puts out a wake they can ticket you.

[KarenS]

We have our boat at a private dock in a harbor. At the end of the harbor, is a dolphin watch tourist boat. He comes in and out maybe 2 or 3 times a day. On the 4th, my daughter and I watched a fishing boat with three drunktards aboard jackassing it back to their slip. They headed right for the HUGE ASS tourist boat and were taunting it. I believe they actually HIT it and then went off on the captain. Screaming, yelling, fingers flying....
I hear the captain of the watcher say over the loud speakers "Please get the numbers off of the side of that vessel that just hit us"
The firstmate (or whatever he is) was on the stern of the boat trying to get the numbers and the fishermen made sure that they were angled enough that he couldn't see...So, I yell over to the mate "He's docked right over there, near you...port side" LOL
A few hours later, the watcher came back with the CG and MPs (DAMMIT! I wasn't there to see what happened!!!)