Dope on the river tonight

[drewkaree]

Coming home after dark down the river, got into some grassy weeds and choked up the intake on one of the engines, and I was putzing along to a more open area to stop and clean out.

Some assclown is coming up behind us on his pontoon, docking lights on like he's driving his car down the river, and I tell my son to watch him, and I look for an area to escape him, but I'm as far right as I can be at this point, about 10 yards from "shore" (weeds and brush).

I'm about to say screw it and head right so he doesn't hit us, when he noticed us and FINALLY takes a hard left to avoid us. This jackass proceeds to yell at ME to "watch where I'm going". I could've sworn it's the overtaking boat's responsibility to not run someone over that's in front of them, but then again, boating regs in WI also state that mooring/docking lights are not to be used while underway. Clearly, I was in the wrong here

After some witty banter with him and teaching my grandsons a few new words I shouldn't have, I think he realized he was outmatched by my son and I, and he moved on.

WTF is wrong with some people?

 

[Beachbummer]

It's tough, because you can be totally right, but you can be dead right too. Best to overact defensively than to prove yourself right by being hit by an idiot.

You did your best in trying to avoid him, but when he is overtaking and asking you to "watch it" it's already close to a lost cause. You did your best to educate him on the spot, but that's a tall order. Good job in staying on "defensive driving mode" and avoiding a catastrophe.

 

[tdonoughue]

Sad. But we can teach the grandkids and kids the right way to behave in the water.

Glad you are safe.

 

[J-RAD]

Raise your pirate flag and fire a flair across his bow. People are dumb... he can probably barely operate his boat sober and in the daylight...

 

[InmyElement]

I keep a portable air horn (the shaving cream style can) in the cup holder behind the throttles..its my get your attention assclown horn, especially when they get too close when we're towing..I try and just boat during the week in the summers, cause they all come out on the weekends..

 

[zipper]

The idiot on the pontoon was running illegally with the docking lights on. They blinded his night vision to the point where he could not see your running lights. Probably drunk. You could have popped him in the eyeballs with a 1 Million candlepower spot light, but then YOU would have been at fault for blinding him, not the idiot himself. You could get a flare gun and launch one across his bow. Maybe, you could have sounded off with an air horn, 5 blasts, for "danger, what are your intentions". It appears there are a lot of pontoon dip$hits out there doing the same thing. Docking lights used for driving at night! - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

 

[I_squared_r]

Theyre out there.
The anchor of a large yacht let go in the wind and was drifting across the bay really fast. He was coming right for me so I started yelling. He comes out and starts arguing with me "I'm not drifting, you're drifting!". Thankfully his boat drifted around me, about 10ft away, while we were yelling at each other. I ended it with "good luck with that, a**hole!" And I put my music back on. He eventually did start his boat and move far far away from me.

 

[Ronnie]

@drewkaree , I think the guy is lucky you and / or your son didn’t end the conversation with “we are watching the boat ramp we are heading to, we look forward to meeting you there to exchange more than words.”

 

[ourlee]

Yeah I never get into it with anybody. We had a giant guy in our crew named Danny when my sons were in high school. When I taught them to drive, I told them not to do road rage cause what happens if I guy like big Danny gets out of his car. Taking a beating is never ok lol. And smacking around someone weaker than you is equally uncool.

 

[Ronnie]

A few years ago I boated by a cabin cruiser that was anchored with the owner fishing off the back. He flipped me off as I passed although I did nothing wrong, he just didn’t want me scaring off the fish . On the way back in he waved me down, his engine wouldn’t start and he asked me for assistance. Rather than offer to tow him back to the marina over a mile away, I offered to contact the sheriff based in the marina and advised him to put away his bong and empty beer cans before the sheriff got there.

I’ve noticed disputes on the water are more likely to end quickly when they are up close and in person, like at the boat ramp versus remote where people are just yelling at each other from their boats or from the shore. On one of my last camping trips a boater blasted through a no wake/swimming zone. One of the dads onshore yelled, slow down or i will call the ranger, the boater responded I will kick your a$$, as the boater started to beach his boat several moms started waiving the Ranger’s boat over at which time the boater stopped huffing and started to apologize for escalating the situation. The Boater didn’t get a speeding ticket but his boat was inspected and he ended up getting a ticket for not having a life vest onboard for himself. I Think if Karma has a gender it’s a women and she is a B.

 

[drewkaree]

@drewkaree , I think the guy is lucky you and / or your son didn’t end the conversation with “we are watching the boat ramp we are heading to, we look forward to meeting you there to exchange more than words.”

I had my two grandsons (5 & 1) on the boat, so my concern was with trying to get the boat back to full operation and get everyone home safely. I try to keep such things in mind when dealing with others on the water, which is why I can't understand others who DON'T act similarly.

 

[JB Nonamé]

We got our Boat this Summer and I have spent every outing so far teaching my family to stay observant. I grew up with boats and am familiar with the weekend "admirals" that have no real understanding of safe boating. My wife has limited experience on the water and its taken all summer to get her somewhat comfortable with being around congested areas.

Great job staying observant and having a plan to act on if the other guy doesn't take appropriate actions. Thats one of the best lessons you could teach your young crew! The safety of your passengers and vessel are priority 1.

Remember, never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down and beat you with experience!

 

[the MfM]

The idiot on the pontoon was running illegally with the docking lights on. They blinded his night vision to the point where he could not see your running lights. Probably drunk. You could have popped him in the eyeballs with a 1 Million candlepower spot light, but then YOU would have been at fault for blinding him, not the idiot himself. You could get a flare gun and launch one across his bow. Maybe, you could have sounded off with an air horn, 5 blasts, for "danger, what are your intentions". It appears there are a lot of pontoon dip$hits out there doing the same thing. Docking lights used for driving at night! - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

View attachment 131276

Pontoons have been doing that on the lake we are on as well. And they all seem to be having a contest as to who can add the most LED deck lights and underwater lights. One in particular likes to drive around at night with the lights alternating colors. So at times he has red lights on the starboard side and green on port.

 

[ourlee]

Pontoons have been doing that on the lake we are on as well. And they all seem to be having a contest as to who can add the most LED deck lights and underwater lights. One in particular likes to drive around at night with the lights alternating colors. So at times he has red lights on the starboard side and green on port.

I want pics! Hilarious!

 

[PeterB]

Piloting a boat or driving a car I was always taught “yield is always given never taken” meaning we can’t assume the other vessel knows or honors the rules. I find many boaters to be unaware of the rules - a lot of inexperienced boaters who buy a boat and do nothing to learn or observe rules. This year seems particularly worse. Lots of boats running through no wake zones on plane, towing tubers under bridges, running at night with docking lights on and tubing or skiing after dark. You were smart to stay observant and take evasive action - especially with the precious cargo of grand children on board. Stay alert and safe and teach those you can how to enjoy their boats safely!

 

[drewkaree]

Lots of boats running through no wake zones on plane, towing tubers under bridges, running at night with docking lights on

I've seen all of these, there's a pontoon/jetski rental place right next to one of the local watering holes, and a bridge on the other side with a boat launch. To boot, there's a no-wake buoy RIGHT in front of the place, and the renters are constantly making a wake, and I've seen 3 of them bringing in the rental with a tuber being dragged behind...right under the bridge

 

[anmut]

Floating minivans are insanely annoying. Literally can be driven by any n00b. Their size creates an air of invulnerability to both driver and passengers. Usually can be seen towing a tube within feet of docks and other boats.

Yesterday had a unique experience on the Chain of Lakes in Waupaca. Saw two jet skis cruising through a no-wake lake. When they came near the sandbar that we were setup, I waved them over. I could tell the guy was like "wtf does this wannabe lake police want" and was kinda gruff when I first spoke with him. After a minute of me saying "listen, it's not my rules and I personally don't agree with them, but the DNR and Sheriff are out here like crazy and you'll get a big fat ticket for going at speed through a NWZ..." he was very thankful.