I figure I may get a few folks attention on that subject so
first the apology. It was completely unintentional and in
addition completely unsafe. My fault and I learned I need to
be more aware of the fact that many folks on the lake have at
least 100hp more if not 200hp than my little 50hp yamaha.

I was out on Fork today and when I was getting ready to round
the last buoy I normally go around before cutting right over to
Lake Fork Marina. I'd looked back as we approached the buoy
but I didn't see anyone back there so after I passed the
buoy I just glanced right for a quick check and turned the
wheel.

Between the first time I'd actually looked, and the last time
I did a spot check you'd closed the distance from wherever you
were to just about 10 seconds from passing me which is way to
close for me to politely make that turn. If I'd checked my
turn properly after passing the buoy, instead of relying on
my original check just before I got to the buoy I would have
seen you coming up on the right, and pulled out of the boat
lane to the left and just circled back around behind yah.

My fishing buddy said the guy that passed gave quite a glare.
So since this is the biggest fishing community board I know, I
figured I'd just deposit the apology here. I pretty much felt
like a [censored] for the rest of the day after that. It all
happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to recognize the
boat I had more than likely offended.

Takes two to tango, probably wasn't all your fault...Classy post though, everybody should try to be this careful

Nice post. As in driving we all need to be defensive and expect anything to happen in front of us.

+1

Very nice post. We need more like you to recongnize water safety.

Boats should come with some kind of rearveiw mirror. I'm not sure where you could put it where it would be out of the way and still be usable but there should be a way.

It is UNLAWFUL for any person to:
1.
Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
2.
Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
3.
Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.
4.
Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.
5.
Anchor in the traveled portion of a river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.
6.
Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.
7.
Operate within a designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.
8.
Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.
9.
Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). 1st conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; 2nd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; 3rd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
**Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver�s license.
10. Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both

taken straight out of the tpw boating regs. the last paragraph makes me think that the other boat should have given right of way.
I was always taught that the boat being overtaken had the right of way, not that its a law but the way I drive mine.

still a good post, if everybody was this responsible dont think we would get to gripe about much.

Good post, don't kick yourself so much though. It probably is not entirely your fault. Also, we've all made mistakes on the water, just be glad no one got hurt. Take it for what it is and learn from it. That's about all anyone can do. Just my 2 cents.

I was at Lake ouachita with my grandmother, mother, and son on board (85, 65, and 14) when a bassboat came out of a marina with teeangers on the front so the driver could not see where he was going. mind you Im in a 22 foot offshore mako which sits out of the water pretty high and easily seen. I immediately slowed when seeing wed be passing,and i tried to move over to give him 3/4 of the water, but he kept straight at me. I laid on the horn and at the last second told everyone to get down and i went t0 put the boat in neutral before hitting the deck myself.

I actually rammed it in reverse from drive and sheared the prop. He missed us by inches almost slinging his kids into my boat which would have prob killed them at that speed.

Even at inches, I didnt get a good look cause he was flying and i was ducking.

He kept going and i made it back in on my kicker engine.

I picked up a hub in town that afternoon and it didnt ruin the trip but I brought it up to my really nice neighbors at the resort we were staying at. Said several choice words about the moron who was out there somewhere and they needed to be careful. The whole resort pretty much knew about it when i was done.

Had a great time anyways, grilled out with those neighbors,good fishing, etc.

Last day, as that neighbor was packing up, I gave him some wine tasting tickets in Hot Springs i wasnt gonna get to use,and he finally couldnt take it and confessed he was the guy that almost killed us all. Offerred to pay for the hub which was only like $20.

Really nice guy.(and family).. I felt like [censored] for talking bad about someone all week who was a nice guy that just accidentally got into an (almost) bad situation.

u can get a rearview for any boat, and u have to have one if u are towing any skiier or anything like that if there is only the boat operator in the boat. weve been lookin for a rearview for our boat, but they are all like 30bucks and we are "pour" college folk

I just ordered a little curved mirror to mount myself. heh

I believe the passing boat is at fault, but good on you for trying to prevent an accident.

+1

i was the buddy that was with memblin when we cut off the skeeter. he is a very safe boater and i have the utmost respect for the way he drives. Yeah, we were a little close, but it wasn't so bad. He is a first class guy all around and meant no harm.

Oh and by the way, I had a great time on fork again. Thanks Chris for letting me tag along.

That's how I see it. The overtaking boat has the responsibility to make a safe pass. You have the right to make your turn without getting run over. Too bad most boaters, yes, even bass boat jockeys, don't know the rules of safe conduct.

Of course looking back before you turn out of a boat lane is ALWAYS recommended.