Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Speed limit makes it safe for small human powered craft?

Woodsy · 02-21-2006, 02:09 PM

Fat Jack...

Actually you are wrong in your assumptions. What your missing in ALL of your equations that relate to speed and reaction time is the one thing that is absolutely critical... distance! One of the primary things that relate to all accidents is visibility. At what distance was the other boat visible? On the water, visibility is usually measured in MILES! On the roadways, it is measured in feet. If all current laws are being obeyed (150' away from shore etc), there are very few places on the Lake where a boat on plane (regardless of speed) wouldn't have ample time to correct thier course or stop to avoid a collision. All drivers are responsible for the safe operation of thier boat. So if a Capt. Bonehead was bearing down on you regardless of speed, it is your obligation to do everything possible to avoid a collision, regardless of the other boats course and speed.

The proof of this is in the statistics... no collisions on Lake Winnipesaukee at speeds greater than 45 MPH. NONE, NADA, EMPTY SET, ZERO! The one boat/boat collision we did have last year involved a small SeaRay and a STATIONARY pontoon boat!

Visibility is the key to operating any vehicle safely. Night operation is a completely different scenario, as your visibility is reduced, reasonable & prudent dictates that your speed should also be reduced.

Woodsy

02-21-2006, 02:09 PM	#49
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,966 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	Fat Jack... Actually you are wrong in your assumptions. What your missing in ALL of your equations that relate to speed and reaction time is the one thing that is absolutely critical... distance! One of the primary things that relate to all accidents is visibility. At what distance was the other boat visible? On the water, visibility is usually measured in MILES! On the roadways, it is measured in feet. If all current laws are being obeyed (150' away from shore etc), there are very few places on the Lake where a boat on plane (regardless of speed) wouldn't have ample time to correct thier course or stop to avoid a collision. All drivers are responsible for the safe operation of thier boat. So if a Capt. Bonehead was bearing down on you regardless of speed, it is your obligation to do everything possible to avoid a collision, regardless of the other boats course and speed. The proof of this is in the statistics... no collisions on Lake Winnipesaukee at speeds greater than 45 MPH. NONE, NADA, EMPTY SET, ZERO! The one boat/boat collision we did have last year involved a small SeaRay and a STATIONARY pontoon boat! Visibility is the key to operating any vehicle safely. Night operation is a completely different scenario, as your visibility is reduced, reasonable & prudent dictates that your speed should also be reduced. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.