All I have to say is that with all this common sense and thoughts on solving this problem!

There has to be a candidate for president in this group
We can make a run for some meaningful change~!

Not to be an arse here but in which direction were you meeting the pontoon boat? If he was comming from your right side, the pontoon boat had ROW. ie: he is comming on his port side(side with the red light)

There are Rules of the Road. So to speak

You can't "Fix Stupid", but you can cure Ignorance" through edumacation !!

There are several on-line sources for video courses on safe and legal boat operations.

Wardens and Rangers should have a book of tickets already prepared, that that could "QUICKLY" be issued to anyone that appears to not be handling their boat correctly. A ticket, that has a $150.00 fine, or attend one of these on-line courses, provide the ticket number and the grade you received after completing the course, and void the ticket (online through the city of Lewisville or maybe the state).

www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=3740
http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/videos.jsp?bclid=17512525001&bctid=1387488000


Or something like that..

I believe 99% of the people on the lake this weekend don't know that a power boat approaching another boat (traveling from right to your left) has to surrender the right away to the boat approaching on the right (that boat IS REQUIRED by law to maintain his course and speed (aka the "Stand-On" vessel)) and the boat that is approaching from the left is the "Give-way" vessel is required to make a "Big turn" behind the right away vessel.

Doesn't mean that you want to have a collision if the Give-way vessel doesn't acknowledge the regulations, as it is everyone's duty to avoid a collision. To operate a vessel, you are not required to take a course, or pass a boater's operation and safety test, but you could be required to take one if you are caught in violation.


I'll admit, I did not recognize that the "Stand-on vessel" is required "by regulation" to maintain their course and speed (I would have slowed down or speed up to avoid the two boats being in the same place at the same time).

Capt. John,

It's funny, because I did not see your post, while I was constructing mine... and they are stating the same thing .

I was just driving to get off the water after fishing. 50 is a good cruse speed for a bass boat with a big motor. I was comming up on him and moved to my left ot pass him and gave him plenty of room a good 75 yards when he decide to turn left to cut me off. I just looking while you are driving would be a good thing. Some people dont. People just need to think about the other person sometimes. I am sure with a 25 hp motor it was not the first time he has been passed on that lake.

There are definately rules concerning the right of way when two motor boats approach the same path. The one explained above is the most often applicable and usefull. If half the boaters on our waters Knew just that rule it would be alot safer and less hectic on the water. I would like to add that you should definately know the rules if you plan on buying and operating a 70 mph bass boat. It should be manditory. I have had many circumstances in the past where I have the right of way no questions asked but am in fear of a boat on pad running 70 trying to beat me to the point of intersection. Dangerous to say the least.

So what should I have done? I had to jerk to the right to avoid the collision. Why just not let someone pass you? If they are giving you 75 yards that should be plenty. I am just asking so I will know. I thought I did the right thing but maybe I am just an A-hole because I have a bass boat.

I am in no way calling you an A-Hole for owning a Bass Boat. I actually googled some of the rules concerning overtaking a vessel to see myself what the proper way to pass is. It is too much to type but I am sure you can find it. I meant no offense to you. Maybe I should re-phrase to say that there are plenty of uneducated boaters behind the wheel of super high performance bass boats, pwc's,and sport boats. The speed they travel can be dangerous if they dont know the rules of navigating our waters.

I was just making sure I did not do something wrong. I will take a look at the rules. Has anyone been backing up the trailer at the boat ramp and someone drove as fast as they could to beat you to the ramp to launch there boat. Its just like being in a school of sandys and having someone drive right in the middle of them with the outboard.

LOL!!! Funny, because I don't know with 100% certainty,

However the boattest site did cover this in a brief video a few months back (they send out email when the add another course), but legally when over-taking another boat, regulations require that you are supposed to "Signal" (use your horn) to communicate (your intentions to pass) (maybe twice if passing on the right..not sure about that), and then pass at a safe speed.

I'll see if I can pull up the course/ 1min video covering Passing another boater.

found it on the saltwater site:
http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/videos.jsp?bclid=17512525001&bctid=1388771171

Wow!! I didn't know it, but according to this video, even if you 'think' you are giving that boater enough clearance "They still have the right away" and if you are over-taking (from behind) another boater, and they turn left into you and result in a collision, that boater may be stupid, but you are still legally at fault.

Very possible.

If you ever boat on the coast or around commercial boat traffic you get to know the rules. Those captains call it a "two toot pass" or a "one toot pass", depending on which side. They use the horn and VHF radio all the time to signal their intent. Rules of the road are very imortant there, and should be on our lakes as well.

+1

like my ole buddy keeps tellin me....YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID....sure glad they don't do that at tawakoni

All the above is correct. My boat runs around 55mph,so owning a fast boat dosent make any one an Arse. Just remember that as fishermen or watermen, we all should know the rules and follow them regardless of the ignorance of other folks. When all is said and done, the Coast Gaurd regards all boating accidents as avoidable and every one is at fault. At least according to the captain training I received.

As it stands, it seems that aric1979 did exactly as he should have by avoiding an accident.

Good fishing Y'all