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Originally Posted by JohnNH
Perhaps we should take a stand and consider approaching the legislature with some real recommendations that make sense.
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Gee JohnNH, sounds like you're actually trying to accomplish something
I'm going to suggest what I think are some constructive thoughts, hopefully w/o derailing your effort. Before approaching Concord with a plan I would first ask that the problem, or top X problems be identified. Saying that unsafe boaters is the problem is a little vague to me and might not be the top issue for most of us on Winni. What I'm suggesting* is that "we all" make a top 3 (or 5 or 10) list of specific items which we think are problematical. I wouldn't over-analyze these at this moment, but rather just list them. As an example if you think large cruisers are a problem, don't say large cruisers but rather the specific thing (or attribute) that they do (or have) that is the issue. An example might be large wakes are a problem. Better yet you might say rough ride due to boat wakes (large wakes, from large cruisers). Later on "we all" can further assess and analyze the root causes (though feel free to add what you think the RC is). Collecting all our lists into 1 list, "we" can then pick out which of those problems are those we can, or care to, address. Then knowing what the issues are, researching the causes and contributors "we" can brainstorm (some more) ideas as to how to solve those deemed worthy of attention (this may or may not involve Concord). If you like the results then you and your associated organizations can present, to those guys in Concord, what you think their part of the solution is. Perhaps the organizations you mention, and some others not mentioned, might do something not involving legislation. Who knows
For me, I don't think what I would deem as unsafe boating is the major issue (an issue just not my #1) facing me on Winni. I see more rude/inconsiderate/thoughtless boating than I do unsafe boating. Reducing the occurance of what I list below, examples of RITB, would greatly improve my boating experience.
Failing to "keep right" is perhaps my #1 rude action (yes folks, I'm a broken record**). Time after time I come off-plane because some bonehead is coming down the bay on the "wrong" side. I'm left with no option since I'm constrained by the shore on my starboard and left with crossing his/her path (not smart) as the other choice. Some forethought by Capt B would have placed him more out in the bay, further from shore thus allowing both he (if he would deign to follow the rules) and I to remain on-plane.
#2 rude action is people not organizing themselves into a pattern when traffic is high. I see 3 - 4 boats more or less abreast of each other, all going about the same speed impeding traffic either trying to around them or past them in the opposite direction. In those areas where other boats have to pass you (or you pass them), I wish people would look around and integrate themselves into a flow that allows others to operate too. (analogy = people walking 2 - 3 abreast down road with traffic going both ways).
#3 rude action is a variant of the former in that when converging with other boats to a spot (ie a channel ) people refuse to think/plan ahead and instead plow ahead (sometimes race) to be the first to wait. Along the way if there's not an ROW violation, there's usually some consternation as people jockey for position. (analogy = coming to toll booths)
None of the above is what I would deem unsafe nor against the written rules but reducing their number would please me (and I suspect others too). Perhaps all of the above could be lumped into 1 group titled rude boating but maybe there are solutions specific to each so I list them separately. If I were to add 2 more for a top 5 list they might be rough ride due to wakes (multiple causes) and ROW violations (people don't know or ignore the rules of the road). Lack of space at public docks might even tie with ROW violations.
What, if anything, should or could be done about the above I'll remain silent on for now. Indeed others may have things I didn't recall, or cause me to rethink my prioritization. More than likely the majority will have differing ideas as to what problem(s) should be addressed. You might wish to narrow people's inputs to only those things which they think are unsafe (your original idea I believe) or widen it to include world peace or have a list of issues in-between these 2 extremes (you make the call here). But a list of problems, to be culled in the future, is what I would suggest as a starting point for constructive action. Understanding the problems, root causes and solutions follow later.
*This is your thread, if you think I'm pushing it somewhere you'd rather not go then let me know.
**for the kids reading this, I'm a stuck & repeating CD