Narrow passage etiquette?

Rich · 07-16-2012, 08:46 AM

Being fairly new on the lake, I have to ask, what's the etiquette for going through a narrow passage that can only permit one boat at a time?

Do you go through alternating turns, one boat in each direction, or if it possible, do you follow the person in front of you and let others on far side wait?

This weekend I was waiting to go under the Governer's island bridge. It seemed like everyone was taking turns coming through, one in each direction, so I decided to do the same.

There were several boats waiting in line and it was a busy time of day, perhaps about 3:30PM on Saturday.

I was a bit surprised by the joker that came up behind me and decided to pass me (fairly close) and go under the bridge in front of me, even though I was the next in line to go through on our side. I guess it was more important for him to go through before me.

Or was it that I was being too patient with others?

brk-lnt · 07-16-2012, 08:52 AM

Alternating boats is the most common and logical approach.

Like most other things in life, there is always some self-important person that has to take precedence over all other proceedings.

I wouldn't get too worked up over it, this lake seems to attract a lot of boat operators that aren't terribly proficient at their boat handling skills.

HellRaZoR004 · 07-16-2012, 08:52 AM

You are correct. He should have been courteous and waited.

There were a lot of bozos out yesterday.

bigRazor · 07-16-2012, 09:43 AM

Depends on how busy it is. It's more efficient to let a few boats go in a group from each side. So if there's backed up boats, I would prefer 2 - 3 boats going from each side. If not, then just alternate 1 by 1.

On Saturday, I witnessed 2 boats side-by-side under the Governor's Island bridge for the first time. Can't believe that didn't result in an accident.

jrc · 07-16-2012, 10:00 AM

If you search these threads you will find a long discussion about it. Same answer are already here.

One by one is the easiest, like a stop signed intersection

2 or 3 at a time is more efficient, given the momentum to stop and start traffic. But will bend people noses if they don't expect it.

The GI bridge is wider than it looks and two boats can go under side by side. But there is no room for error and only work if both boats go just a enough off center.

Of course Rich saw what we all know, some jerk will always cut in line.

no-engine · 07-16-2012, 10:05 AM

In CT, there is a road with a one-car tunnel like that, unwritten RULE is alternate! I can't remember the route number "tunnel road". On my route visiting people nearby.

Same would be true on any narrow channel on any body of water, coastal or inland. There is such lack of respect from some boaters on Lake.

BroadHopper · 07-16-2012, 10:24 AM

There is an intercoastal rule that inland or boats coming into harbors have the right of way. For instance at the lakeport train drawbridge folks pretty much allow boats coming down the river right of way.

In the case of the GI bridge, I would say alternate, which appears to be the general rule among respectful boaters. There will always be a {jerk} in every crowd.

Phantom · 07-16-2012, 10:33 AM

I totally agree with the alternate ..

However on many occassions I have actually waited on the Silver Sands (FL#43) side of the bridge and actually waved a couple of boats through to relieve conjestion on the other side.

There is a lot more room on the FL #43 side to maneuver.

If i find myself in a hurry ..... thats not the route to take !!

Rich · 07-16-2012, 02:09 PM

Thanks for confirming that I was acting appropriately

I did search the forum and perhaps used the wrong search terms, I didn't come up with much.

I wasn't worked up over this, just wondering . . .

8gv · 07-16-2012, 03:38 PM

I am never surprised by the rude actions of others. I just grin and bear it while doing my best to keep my vessel safe.

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-18-2012, 04:35 PM

Thank God the road flaggers don't make us go one by one.

SAMIAM · 07-19-2012, 10:14 AM

Usually,in a narrow passage,boats gong with the tide or current have the right of way.I'm surprised there are not more accidents at the Weirs channel when the dam is open and it's flowing rapidly.
It's pretty hard to steer or put the "brakes on" when you're drifting in a 4 or 5 knot current.

07-16-2012, 08:46 AM	#1
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,220 Thanks: 68 Thanked 341 Times in 231 Posts	Narrow passage etiquette? Being fairly new on the lake, I have to ask, what's the etiquette for going through a narrow passage that can only permit one boat at a time? Do you go through alternating turns, one boat in each direction, or if it possible, do you follow the person in front of you and let others on far side wait? This weekend I was waiting to go under the Governer's island bridge. It seemed like everyone was taking turns coming through, one in each direction, so I decided to do the same. There were several boats waiting in line and it was a busy time of day, perhaps about 3:30PM on Saturday. I was a bit surprised by the joker that came up behind me and decided to pass me (fairly close) and go under the bridge in front of me, even though I was the next in line to go through on our side. I guess it was more important for him to go through before me. Or was it that I was being too patient with others?

07-16-2012, 08:52 AM	#2
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,937 Thanks: 532 Thanked 568 Times in 334 Posts	Alternating boats is the most common and logical approach. Like most other things in life, there is always some self-important person that has to take precedence over all other proceedings. I wouldn't get too worked up over it, this lake seems to attract a lot of boat operators that aren't terribly proficient at their boat handling skills. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

07-16-2012, 10:24 AM	#7
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Inland boat There is an intercoastal rule that inland or boats coming into harbors have the right of way. For instance at the lakeport train drawbridge folks pretty much allow boats coming down the river right of way. In the case of the GI bridge, I would say alternate, which appears to be the general rule among respectful boaters. There will always be a {jerk} in every crowd. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

07-16-2012, 10:33 AM	#8
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,931 Thanks: 445 Thanked 604 Times in 340 Posts	I totally agree with the alternate .. However on many occassions I have actually waited on the Silver Sands (FL#43) side of the bridge and actually waved a couple of boats through to relieve conjestion on the other side. There is a lot more room on the FL #43 side to maneuver. If i find myself in a hurry ..... thats not the route to take !! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

07-16-2012, 03:38 PM	#10
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 61 Thanked 701 Times in 455 Posts	Regarding the guy who passed you... I am never surprised by the rude actions of others. I just grin and bear it while doing my best to keep my vessel safe.

07-16-2012, 08:52 AM	#3
HellRaZoR004 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Litchfield/Gilford Posts: 828 Thanks: 233 Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts	You are correct. He should have been courteous and waited. There were a lot of bozos out yesterday.

07-16-2012, 09:43 AM	#4
bigRazor Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Depends on how busy it is. It's more efficient to let a few boats go in a group from each side. So if there's backed up boats, I would prefer 2 - 3 boats going from each side. If not, then just alternate 1 by 1. On Saturday, I witnessed 2 boats side-by-side under the Governor's Island bridge for the first time. Can't believe that didn't result in an accident.

The Following User Says Thank You to bigRazor For This Useful Post:
Rattlesnake Guy (07-18-2012)

07-16-2012, 10:00 AM	#5
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	If you search these threads you will find a long discussion about it. Same answer are already here. One by one is the easiest, like a stop signed intersection 2 or 3 at a time is more efficient, given the momentum to stop and start traffic. But will bend people noses if they don't expect it. The GI bridge is wider than it looks and two boats can go under side by side. But there is no room for error and only work if both boats go just a enough off center. Of course Rich saw what we all know, some jerk will always cut in line.

07-16-2012, 10:05 AM	#6
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	In CT, there is a road with a one-car tunnel like that, unwritten RULE is alternate! I can't remember the route number "tunnel road". On my route visiting people nearby. Same would be true on any narrow channel on any body of water, coastal or inland. There is such lack of respect from some boaters on Lake.

07-16-2012, 02:09 PM	#9
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,220 Thanks: 68 Thanked 341 Times in 231 Posts	Thanks for confirming that I was acting appropriately I did search the forum and perhaps used the wrong search terms, I didn't come up with much. I wasn't worked up over this, just wondering . . .

07-18-2012, 04:35 PM	#11
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Thank God the road flaggers don't make us go one by one.

07-19-2012, 10:14 AM	#12
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,836 Thanks: 326 Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts	Usually,in a narrow passage,boats gong with the tide or current have the right of way.I'm surprised there are not more accidents at the Weirs channel when the dam is open and it's flowing rapidly. It's pretty hard to steer or put the "brakes on" when you're drifting in a 4 or 5 knot current.