Trolling Pontoon has the right of way??? I dont think so!!

skyking · Post by **skyking** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:49 am

We were having a beautiful ,peaceful, uneventful day of sailing as a friend of mine was trying his hand at the tiller.

UNTIL.....we notice this pontoon boat heading directly at our port beam...as I kept trying to make eye contact with this person and at the same time telling my friend to get ready to turn off to starboard...I thru my hands up in the to see what his intentions were and he replies with a big WHAT!

I said excuse me but we have the right of way and he replies..How do you figure that..

My reply, as we are now getting out of his way was: were under sail

He comes back with: you have a motor...Yes i do and its not in the water and if it was I still have the right of way because I'm on your starboard bow.

And here is the best part

He said WELL CANT YOU SEE THAT I'M TROLLING

As we turned to starboard I had informed him that when he got his boat registration in PA the rules of the road are always included and the he should try to read them

It amazes me that people think just because they are TROLLING that they are invinsable.

I always prepare to give way even when its not required of me..but this one was not willing to alter his coarse an inch...

please correct me if I was in the wrong?

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:01 am

Yup! That is an extremely common mistake. I would not hate or antagonize him. Most folks are not aware of the actual "Rules of the Road".

I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that very few people have actually read the rules and of those very few have looked up each and every little * mark indicating more reading is necessary!!

By challenging fishermen, all you really do is piss them off! LOL! They're likely drinking and they KNOW they are correct!! Just ask'em!! hee hee!

Just give way, smile to yourself, and cross their stern. Remember, if there is an accident, you are 50% resposible until proven innocent. If it is a nice clear day with no extenuating circumstances you will be hard pressed to show you did not see them coming!!

Scott

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:50 am

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:25 am

Alan, Was that on the 10th ?

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/200909 ... /909109970

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:35 pm

Yes that was it, good no one was hurt.

Thanks
Alan

shunt1 · Post by **shunt1** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:56 pm

While tied up to my mooring, I had a pontoon boat heading directly at me. I finally had to shout (while reaching for my loud air horn) "are you going to turn?"

Three feet away from me, he finally turned his pontoon boat to avoid a collision.

Ok, so I pulled down my pants and "Mooned" him and his passengers as they passed.

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:59 am

I'm going to tell the wife that is customary nautical practice. We already think pontoon boats are for old fat lazy people. (yes to the abyss with me).

I understand they want to take pictures of the sailboats ...butt

clair hofmann · Post by **clair hofmann** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:02 pm

I had some one go in front of me trolling while sailing my Prindle. Its amazing how much line a cat on a screaming reach will peel off of a reel. The look on their faces was priceless. I did head up and let the line fall free. People have no idea how fast a cat can go. I'm used to falling off and going behind.
Clair

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:59 pm

We often see fisherman with there outriggers trailin lines off to both sides of their boat and trolling lines behind also. They can be 20-30 yards off the port an starboard side so they take up lotsa space.

For the most part I just get outta the way, expecting them to alter there coarse just leads to frustration on my part. I guess it also keeps the peace, since ya there usually drinking and I quit years ago. I have lil patience with drunk folks bein jerks so I tend to give way instead of crossin lines or gettin in a shoutin match with an A-hole, especially if my sweety is on board...

Gus · Post by **Gus** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:05 pm

Pontoon boat? Rules of the Road? You should know better than that...

frankyd · Post by **frankyd** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:29 pm

I have had power boats and jetskis and the 26 chrysler and Im reminded almost everytime I go out how rude people are. This summer my girlfriend and I were paddling our kayaks out to watch an airshow at langley airforce base and while paddlin out a speed boat full of drunks starts heading straight for us. He was well out of the channel and could see us clear as day. As he came racing toward us I was momentarily very worried for our lives and then I remembered that we were paddling next to a barely submerged oyster bar between him and us. I had enought time to tell the girlfriend not to worry and then I heard this horrible sound like a garbage disposal trying to process rocks. the boat slid to a stop in the 6 inch deep water with the outboard still going full throttle. the two drunks stood there confused for a surprisingly long moment with the motor still screaming. Then they walked around the boat trying to figure out what had happened. An hour later they managed to get the boat off the rocks and limped home with a hopelessly mangled propeller. If only all boating jerks could have similar rewards.
Frank