Quote:
Originally Posted by elchase
I did see one of those Capt Boneheads in a non-GFBL that you guys keep talking about. My son and I were drifting about 25 feet south of the lit buoy off Welch, casting worms at the buoy for bass. A larger boat was coming along south of us, heading east to west with a little hydroplane running next to him on his north side. The bigger boat was going to pass south of us about maybe 100 to 200 feet (who can tell the difference?), and the little boat was heading straight at us. It looked like a little 14-foot or so homemade thing with a 20HP Johnson on it. We could see the smiling driver looking right as us as he approached, so we never got scared, just confused and annoyed. I figured he had to change course a bit and expected that was going to cut just north of the buoy, which would still put him only 30 or 40 feet from us, but to our astonishment, he passes right between us and the buoy. Right over our lines, not more than 10 feet from us at no less than 25 miles an hour. We're holding out our arms in a "what the heck?" gesture, and he gives us a big smile and holds up his beer. I looked at my son and we both broke out laughing. This was stupid enough to be comical. I know people say "10 feet" when it was really 50, but this was 10 feet. I was close enough to the buoy to cast beyond it and this guy split the difference.
But then I realized that never once did I get scared. If the guy had hit us dead-on there certainly would have been some damage but that little thing would not have killed us. I compared this to how heart-stopping-scared I've felt in past situations where I've had big heavy cigarettes coming at me at 60 or 70 miles an hour, even when much further away. Usually you can only see the big hull and wonder whether the driver can see you or is even looking. While this guy was driving as bad, he simply was not putting us at the same risk. His boat was small, and it was only going 25 or so.
There are certainly Captain Boneheads driving craft of all sizes; little fishing boats, sailboats, cruisers, and GFBLs. And the SL certainly will not get them all off the lake or turn them into good boaters in all regards. But it is amazing how much less dangerous these Captain Boneheads in the smaller slower boats are than the Captain Boneheads driving 70 in big heavy boats. Its amazing how much less terrorizing boats are when they are heading at you at 25 mph than at 70.
You guys need to understand that laws like the SL are not caused by responsible drivers like you protest to be, but are caused by the idiots who have been terrorizing us because they drive like idiots, drive huge heavy boats, and drive them very fast in places where it is not "prudent" to do so. You guys had a good thing, and they ruined it for you...we didn't. Your anger should be directed at them, and not at those who simply want to recreate on the lake without undue fear or risk.
Focus your energies on saving the other lakes where you can still drive as fast as you want from SLs before you lose them too. Do this by going after the people who really cost you your freedom here...the Captain Boneheads who drive GFBLs. If you don't get them off Sunapee, Newfound, Champlain, and all the other still-unlimited lakes, then SLs are inevitable there too, and you will only have yourselves to blame for failing to recognize your true enemy while you still had time.
The speed limit is working fine. The people who wanted the law are content with its results...how often does that happen? The people whose bad behavior the law was aimed at are behaving (for the most part)...how often does that happen? As I said above, focus your anger and energy at the GFBL-driving Captain Boneheads while you still have time to save the other lakes that let you drive as fast as you want before these jerks force society to seek SLs on those too. You know who these guys are. They are the ones bragging about flaunting the SL. They are the ones who think that laws don't apply to them. They are the ones who cost you your freedom.
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I did another read of your post El, and it's quite possibly the worst statements, and certainly the most irresponsible I've ever read. But at least many can see in print exactly where you are coming from.
First, you're not afraid of this beer-drinking bonehead because his boat is small. You even slough it off and have a good laugh.
because......
All of your hatred and anger are focused on another group, specifically, the GFBL group of boaters. Only "they are the ones that think that laws don't apply to them", right El?
I don't know about anyone else, but I don't share this type of prejudice. Not on the water, not anywhere. It's not productive, not rational, and speaks at a level well below that of anyone I'd associate with. It's pretty much the essence of what sparks so much protest in the Winfabs movement.
You were dragged, kicking and screaming into a safety debate, and while only now you mention there are Boneheads that cause most of the problem, you you now say it's the GFBL "jerks" that are the reason the SL was passed, ignoring any and all evidence to the contrary. I knew you would see an opening to the debate, and you took it. But instead of getting all rational on us, you spout your anger toward a single, small group of boaters. You say nothing of enforcement, and even laugh off a very close encounter because the Bonehead's boat was small.
Being selfish and arrogant does nothing to promote safety, nor does it deal with any of the problems at hand. In the nature of moving forward and having discussions that actually deal with issues, I certainly don't want the "jerks" making up stuff as they go along to promote myopic agendas based on anger. There are plenty of good-natured people that seem to think a SL might work, or is necessary. They are open to discussion, and we all share a common hope of safety on the waters. You sir, are not one of these people. Whenever a group, no matter how small or large, focuses all of their energy behind feelings of anger, hate, or even rage, it never ends up well.
I find it hard to believe that someone that spends at least 6 hours a day, seven days a week, every week on the water can only find one particular group to focus such anger towards.