Overnight Beaching

I'm intrigued by the "boater's are responsible for their wakes" angle to the "Overnight Beaching" thread. I'm relatively new to boating, and a friend just told this very same thing. I was somewhat surprised because he told me the "rule" was fundamental and prevailed in most if not all scenarios.

So if I'm in a wake-zone channel w/ my 17 footer and a 40 footer comes cruising thru at speed, throwing a monster wake, and the wake is big enough to capsize or sink me, is the 40-footer really liable? I guess the arguments could go on indefinitely on whether I could have maneauvered my boat differently to avoid catastrophe. Counterpoint is that I should not have to take highly specific or drastic measures to avoid tragedy just because the other guy doesn't feel like controlling wake size relative to his surroundings and other boaters.

I guess these questions are not purely hypothetical because my 176SRX and my boating skills are often challenged by the big boats that cruise along the tidal rivers w/ me here in NJ. Are these principles documented anywhere, or more generally understood?
 
When the kids were younger we would camp with the boat (any excuse to use the boat). Most of the state parks on lakes in MI have an area to tie up the boat. It could be a muck bottom area that you drive your boat on or a semi shallow area to anchor your boat. I would drop an anchor and also use a long screw with an eye hook. The rope I used on the screw had a rubber attachment that would take some of the shock of the boat moving. I would worry and I would watch the weather. But I never had problems. Its like the discussion that we had about leaving your keys in your boat. Some parts of the country are different. Plus I liked waking up early and taking the boat on the lake while it was glassey.
 
As a wakeboarder, I do try and avoid making waves too close to shore. However, if it is a choice between going closer to shore to protect my rider and making some waves, or taking a chance in the lanes of faster traffic, the waves it shall be.

Then again, Im against the "responsible for wake" crap on lakes and rivers for the most part. If a boat is properly secured, and a dock is in good condition and built right, only a very large, out of proportion wake would do any damage.

Where I grew up as a late teen, and where my parents still live, the river is narrow to a fault where they are. We built the dock and tied the boat up in a way that it didnt matter. Extra fenders, those pole things (sheesh...name escapes me right now!!) the side of the dock has built in rubber bumper strips...

Then you DO have the people who half arse their dock, tie up a boat with 2 ropes and a fender, and expect their boat not to get all scratched up on saturday afternoon.

So who is responsible for being an idiot then? SHoudl I be responsible for a wake that causes damage for someone who ties their boat up (as such in the first post of this thread) with poor judgement?

Fine line.
 
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I agree that their choice of location for beaching their boats was obviously very poor. However, if you notice that a boat has broken free and is banging the side of the shore and hitting another boat, wouldn't you move on to another area?

I was not even involved, and the boat being hurt was no where near as nice as a Sea Ray :) , and I still went out looking for the people because I felt bad that a boat was getting damaged.

Technically, yes, the wakeboarders were in a wake zone, and could do whatever they wanted to. Being responsible for your wake doesn't mean you *can't* go wakeboarding in that area, but rather, *should* you if you notice it doing damage to another's property?
 
Geurk,

What lake and what campground were you at when this happened. I boat and camp in KY also and the issue of No Wake Zones being ignored is getting next to me. I see it every time I go out an I have NEVER seen a Water Safety patrol boat stop someone for plowing through a No Wake Zone.

I have even seen Water Safety boats plowing through No Wake Zones.

Huston
 
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Laurel Lake down in London KY. The boats were beached two coves down on your left from the campground launch ramp.

We see water patrol ignoring no wake zones as well. And it isn't one particular kind of boat that ignores them, all sizes/types do it.
 
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