DON'T Make These Common Boating Etiquette MISTAKES | BoatUS

[@malekodesouza7255]

I’d add learn to back up your trailer BEFORE that trip on a busy Saturday.

[@boatus]

EXCELLENT recommendation! And we have some videos on how to do this, too. Thanks for watching

[@sg15]

Thanks BoatUS, this is much needed with so many new boaters. Waterways and ramps are busier than ever and everyone seems so short tempered. Stay cool, be patient and willing to help others, so we can all have a great day on the water from start to finish.

[@boatus]

You're so right! A little patience and courtesy go a long way. Thanks for watching!

[@idaho_girl]

If you want to help, ask the skipper if they want help and then only do what they want. As a sailor with a small sailboat, I've had people think they are helping, almost always men, grab some part of my boat before I want them do do anything. One time they grabbed the bow pulpit which caused the bow to be pointed in and I couldn't get off.

[@boatus]

Excellent point, Idaho! This is a common issue. And while the "help" may cause inconvenience, it could also be dangerous -- for themselves or others. We cover this issue in another video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-ZZIulhLqNaacsi=-LtKxPRES6kb45nk. But perhaps we should pull it out and cover it by itself and include hand signals and other things. Thanks so much for watching and for adding to the discussion!

[@bwvideo0905]

Excellent video. Some things to add my father taught me 50+ years ago: Make your intentions known. In other words when approaching another vessel exaggerate your course so they know where you are going. Two more that are not courtesy but good knowledge: There's no more red port wine left in the bottle. Your red bow light is on the port side and port is left. Red, right, returning. Keep the red markers on your right when returning to harbor or entering a channel from seaward. Also to reiterate the video, have your boat 100% ready to launch or retrieve before going to the ramp and do not tarry at the ramp docks. Fair winds and following seas to all!

[@boatus]

Thanks for taking the time to share your dad's timeless wisdom with our viewers, Bomanone. Sounds like he is/was a knowledgeable seaman, and clearly those critical lessons have stuck with you. One thing to keep in mind is that red, right. returning is not universal -- it's the opposite in a number of geographic regions. And it can also be confusing in certain situations when it reverses (such as on the Rideau Canal) or in the Gulf. That said, those probably don't apply to your boating, so keep on keeping on! No doubt some folks will find your advice handy.

[@bwvideo0905]

@@boatus You are absolutely correct that "red, right, returning" does not always apply. I should have mentioned. But it does apply for my boating, in my neck of the woods. 🙂 Thanks again!

[@russellcole3549]

Also, don't hog the dock space, especially at a crowded dock or launch ramp. Don't put your boat in the middle of the available space. Move it forward or backwards to leave the largest open dock space possible for the next boat.

[@boatus]

Excellent one, Russell! We've got that one covered in our launch ramp etiquette video. Can't say it enough though!

[@8180634]

At 2:05, bravo this should be #1! The other day at a 2 ramp launch, one ramp was properly occupied and the other was blocked by a guy who had parked and was out of his truck loading the boat. I backed around him, zig zagged right by, his wife started pointing and huffing and puffing, but we had our boat in the water and my truck in a parking spot before they were ready to back down. We have someone already in the boat, back down, unclip the boat and it's off, I don't think the trailer is in the water more than 30 seconds, and the person in the boat takes it right to the courtesy dock. As luck would have it, we both pulled out at the same time too. I chatted with the guy and he was actually a very nice guy, just didn't get it I suppose, but his wife had the laser beam mad eyes, she was still pissed that we dare go around them LOL. Which brings up part 2 to this; don't launch your boat then leave it tied in the slip for 10 minutes while you go park your truck. FIRST move the boat to a courtesy dock away from the ramp so the next person can use the ramp while you park your truck.

[@boatus]

Yeah, that's definitely a major point of contention, Matt! In fact, we did an entire video just on boat ramp etiquette: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJTMhneQoNanesk Do unto others ... Thanks for watching!!

[@tomdrummy4984]

Should be mandatory…..for any size boat. My dad took me to power squadron courses at 16…….loooong time ago. 😎

[@boatus]

Thanks for your comments, Tom. Good for your dad (and you)! We certainly wish there were more people committed to learning more than just what they HAVE to to get their boating certificate.

[@Bierdaddy1]

Though I sympathize with fishermen and women, having caught many a wake as a sailor from passing idiots in speedboats, i am on the other side of the issue as a m/v owner. It never fails to have 3-4 small boat fishermen sitting in the middle of the breakwater gaps in Milwaukee on Lake Michigan. Its maddening trying to go between them and the rocks. Sorry, but I prefer to throw a small wake at the fishermen in order to keep reasonable steerage in small chop. I will not jeopardize my boat and passengers by getting too close to the rocks when navigating through the gaps.

[@boatus]

Thanks for your comments, Bierdaddy. I'd imagine there are a lot of boaters who are nodding their heads in agreement with you. It's hard to find a balance where everyone can enjoy the water in their own way without disturbing others. If we all try to "do unto others" the best we can given the circumstance, the water will be a better place for everyone. But sometimes we have to settle for just getting it done, as you have.

[@dtoscano6743]

And minimizing that wake going through bridges or other narrow spaces is more than just a courtesy or the law, it’s a safety thing, and I really wish more boaters respected that, especially when passing a small craft

[@boatus]

Hear, hear, dtoscano!!

[@327365hp]

#4 Loud music is the worst! Mostly the jet skis cruising the marina. They're yelling to each other while they've got the music blasting, while smoking a butt.

[@boatus]

So much rudeness in that scenario! Thanks so much for watching. Here's to a peaceful time on the water

[@huntspoint3442]

Great tips.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, huntspoint!

[@TTURocketDoc]

I've got one, don't wait until the last second to turn away when heading towards a stopped or anchorded boat. You can't tell if the other person has seen you, its never racking standing there waiting in case i need to grab my kids and jump overboard

[@boatus]

Always a smart idea, HG! That should be filed under Navigation Rules, not just etiquette. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisziemba3889]

i have started to video any boat that approaches us in case there is a problem.

[@gerryvanzandt7894]

Haha, filmed at my home marina, Bay Bridge Marina in Stevensville, MD.

[@boatus]

Good eye! Yup. We took advantage of having our BoatUS Foundation On-Water Training boats at the Bay Bridge Boat Show. What a lovely marina and easy access to the Bay!

[@thenauticalnomadmactire]

i love the curtesy wave and it kind of stings when an uninformed person does not wave back.

[@boatus]

Right?! Hopefully they'll catch on after a few courtesy waves. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@Captdal]

Thanks for Info

[@boatus]

As always, thanks for watching, Dal!

[@shawnmendrek3544]

big thanks haha!

[@glamdring0007]

The other boat ramp etiquette is don't cut the line ! If someone was waiting to pull their boat out don't pull in and launch until the people waiting have had their turn.

[@boatus]

Always a wise rule to follow. I could only imagine what might transpire on that ramp if someone were to cut the line!!

[@FlyMeAirplane]

This means you, Jetski.

[@boatus]

👀

[@eddrichards5000]

If another boat's trailer isn't in the water, they shouldn't be blocking the ramp with their boat. We've launched around unprepared boaters like that more than once. No one has the right to block others from using the ramp. If someone feels the need to tie up for every launch and load, use the courtesy dock, or rent a boat slip.

[@Sail218]

And don't drive your boat in the middle of a narrow channel when there's oncoming traffic. Move over to the right and make room!

[@boatus]

Absolutely, Sail! I'd consider that good navigation practices, not just etiquette. (Though there's a lot of crossover there.) Thanks so much for watching!

[@clubduckkey]

What's the rule on people fishing from their boat in a canal or navigation channel? There's an entrace to a key that has 4 sets of headpins that is too narrow for fishing and navigation at the same time, yet fishermen will anchor right in the middle of the channel instead of outside the headpins.

[@chrisziemba3889]

that's a simple answer, just like don't walk in the middle of the road. the channel is a road, not a perking lot. keep moving!

[@mikemendes7598]

I sail on a small lake in Colorado. The lack of common sense by power boaters is astounding. The wake boarders are the worst - they create HUGE wakes, and love to come right by me, rocking my boat like crazy. I've actually had waves in my cockpit form them. Jet skiers and other power boats are almost as bad. The people towing actual water skiers tend to be the best. And the comment about loud stereos? What a laugh. They think it's stereo wars out there. IF they can't be heardon shore, it's not loud enough.

[@Bierdaddy1]

For a second there I thought you were talking about a few lakes in Wisconsin.

[@boatus]

That sounds awful!! I've found that the smaller lakes seem to have the worst issues. All we can do is try to be as conscientious as possible, knowing full well there are a bunch of self-centered individuals who don't care about anyone else but themselves.

[@jonb5397]

Your assuming that people actually , and willingly, will follow etiquette. whether on the roads or on the water. Thus far, I've seen little in both areas.

[@boatus]

You are so right, Jon. I find that etiquette and knowledge of the rules go hand in hand. Hopefully it's not just the courteous rule followers who watch this video ...

[@denislaouenan5553]

@@boatus unfortunately many accidents are caused by lack of knowledge and lack of etiquette, so you would think once people have an accident they learn, nope, it is just a state of mind, it's not like ho I need to learn it's more like let's hand it to the lawyer, like insurances were cheap... Miami here, 90% of those on the water are unconscious. And if any one reads I will say it again, I want to hear the water, and people and kids enjoying, I do not care for your shit music blasting at the sandbar. No one likes your music but you...

[@howellkevinc]

What lake was this filmed on?

[@boatus]

Thanks for the question, Sketch. We were in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, just outside Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island.

[@FlyMeAirplane]

And if you see a rented pontoon boat, stay as far away from it as possible!

[@boatus]

Let's hope they watch this video before renting ... 😉

[@tedschmitt178]

Common courtesy is directly related to common sense.

[@boatus]

True in many cases, Ted. BUT ... we'd rather educate folks so they know what the unspoken rules are BEFORE they violate them. Think of it as a public service to the seasoned boaters out there! 😁

[@hoghunter6872]

Lol here in Florida they absolutely don’t give a fuck they’ll go right by a pier pick up 10 / 15 fishing lines and keep on going that is why we started putting a really big wire on and hopefully it will burn their engines up

[@FlyMeAirplane]

If we're going to talk about fishing, how about those guys fishing at the boat ramp right in front of the no-fishing signs!

[@denislaouenan5553]

If they are in a channel you are in wrong, that's sabotage, reel in when a boat passes by, there might be good reasons why they stay on the side of the channel, note I fish from boat and from shore

[@daniels.9206]

@@FlyMeAirplane Don't get me started!