Where are you going???

[AdriftAtSea]

I'd have to agree with Capn Smollet, last thing we need is more licensing.

[Captain Smollett]

We are able to own guns, but cannot carry them down the street without a permit. We can drive a car, but not without a license.

Sure you can.  Perhaps not legally, but you CAN do it.  That's part of my arguement against licensing in general - to someone inclined to ignore one law (like commit armed robbery or drive while drunk), while bother with any other (like having a valid license)?

Perhaps this seems like a nitpick, but it is, in my opinion, one of the great myths of our times.  Laws and regulations do NOT change behaviors by and large.  The underlying principle in social theory is that behavior is governed by VALUE, which is defined as a CONSESUS of belief of what is right and wrong.  Laws are only in place to be the formal mechanism of punishment when someone violates those implied social contracts.

To illustrate this, we don't commit murder not because it is against the law.  We don't commit murder because we believe it is wrong to do so - as a society, we value human life.  The law is there simple to provide punishment when someone acts against that common belief.

The old saying "you cannot legislate morality" is, I believe, spot on.  If someone is going to operate a boat in an unsafe manner, it is the flaw of their character that is driving them to do that, not the absence of a law prohibiting it.

Sorry for the 'rant,' going back into peaceful dreams of sailing mode.   :)

[s/v Faith]

Boy I stirred the pot on that one...  :P

  I agree with your points John, I just would like to know while I am dodging those morons that cut across my bow that they had at least been required to take a test where they admitted that I really had the right of way.... and that they could be punished for the damage they do when they wake the marina while I am up my mast changing the anchor light bulb....

  KNow that I agree with you, I am not so sure that 'we the people' have granted all the powers to government that it has assumed now, I don't know why I would think that a 'boating' endorsement on one's driving license would change things.....

[Zen]

Ohhhwee you sho nuff stired up a hornets nest witht dat one  ;D

I thought that would bring the good Capt out. I remember his post from before  ;D

I will agree with your points, Capt S. They are vaild. Like the guns don't kill people. people do...crooks, killers do not have licenses...etc. Then even our wonderful  :P President breaks laws, the Governer of Ca drives his motorcycle without a licence... makes you wonder whats the point!

Which is why I also said, a least they have to take a safety class. Which would be the same as your suggestion on a sticker having read some rules I think you said.

They have a article I read on a Japanboating site  where some government boat run into another causing major damage. I had to laugh. My comment on the post was, well that really sets a good example  ;D

And yes we do have more than enough regulations here. However if there is someway to  have people give some thought to their actions... ok not many will , but perhaps a few more than the folks here and the five three good PBr we know ;), it may save a life.

[CharlieJ]

well- some places it might be illegal, but not here. I can strap on a Colt 45 and walk around perfectly legally, PROVIDED it's fully exposed and in no way concealed. You need classes and a permit to carry concealed.

As to the boat license I agree  completely with Capt Smollet. Safety classes maybe, but how are you going to license otherwise?

For example- here at my house ( or in the boat shed)  there are

a 10 foot kayak

a wind surfer

a 12 foot inflatable with outboard

an 11 foot aluminum boat with outboard

an 18 foot sail boat with no motor

a ( in her slip)  25 foot sailboat WITH a motor

Two 14 foot lateen rigged sailboats

we are currently building a pair of 13 foot kayaks

finally-

a 24 foot searay with a 225 hp outdrive

Now- which one do they issue the license for?

I think you open up a real can of worms going the license route. What is REALLY needed is the same thing that is needed to stop drunk driving and boating- the willingness to ENFORCE the current laws and stop letting the fools off with a slap on the wrist or less.

[AdriftAtSea]

Charlie-

You need more boats... ;)

[Captain Smollett]

They have a article I read on a Japanboating site  where some government boat run into another causing major damage. I had to laugh. My comment on the post was, well that really sets a good example

That reminds me a similar story - one that I witnessed.  A couple of years ago, we were anchored in an impromptu anchorage among a BUNCH of boats on Independence Day awaiting the fireworks.  We, along with about 40 other boats, were between two little islands that were about 75 yards or so from the shoreline.

A couple of powerboaters (one pulling a skier) ran at speed by the anchorage, throwing BIG wakes into the anchored boats.  Then one, a very large boat for a small inland lake, ran right THROUGH the anchorage throwing his big wake.  It was rock and roll time for real.  I shouted a few choice examples of "sailor talk" at him as he went by.  He may have been on a plane, but his wake was still large considered he passed within mere FEET of about 40 anchored boats.

But then the sad thing happened.  I saw the DNR boat coming and thought "well, maybe if he is nearby, that will stop some of the wake producers."  But, alas, he went cruising through our anchorage at about 20 mph himself, and his wake caused just as much "heartache" as the other's.

So much for setting an example, indeed.

It makes me wonder:  would that enforcement officer bother to check licenses of unsafe boaters?

[CharlieJ]

Yeah- I'd love to have a GOOD rowboat

So many boats, so little time    ::)

[Zen]

VAllejo, CA 2006

[AdriftAtSea]

Good thing digital film is recyclable... I think Zen has been bitten by a shutter bug.

Lovely photos... :D  BTW, are you playing gomoku or just photographing players?

[Zen]

 ;D
Yeah, I got bit a long time ago. I happen to bring the good camera along this time to get some practice in. Yeah Digital is great! Saves me lots of money developing.

That is the son and me playing Gomoku.  :)

[AdriftAtSea]

I take it he is winning... :D

[Zen]

THIS IS GREAT!! ;D

I had part 1 of 2 weekends of ASA sailing Coastal Cruising class this weekend. On Sat it was pretty crowded. Lots of sailboats. Lots of little byts & lazers, kayakers and of course powerboats.

So are sailing along doing some practicing, in the mist of kayaks and byts doing some racing and such. Along comes Mr speedo in his stinkpot totalling ignoring the no wake signs and common sense, with all the small crafts around he comes though flying  dodging and curving. About 1 min. after passing us. I hear the police  screin go off and they pull his dumb arse over run in front of Jack London sq, so amny many many pepeople see him get busted. It totally made my day seeing that!   ;D ;D

[AdriftAtSea]

Some days there is a cop when you really need one. :D

[Captain Smollett]

Some days there is a cop when you really need one. :D

I wish a couple of weekends ago had been one of those days.  There was a group of kids (yes, kids, as in around 12 or 13 or so) riding a jet ski - fast and with all those wake-producing turns they do - right smack dab next to the launch ramp.  I told one of them on the dock (waiting for his turn) that they really should not do that there (heck, they have the whole 20 mile long lake to play in) and he seemed to understand my point.

But they kept doing it.  It really made some of the boaters have a bit of a time retrieving boats.   :'(

[AdriftAtSea]

I would have called the cops on the jetski in that case Captain Smollet.

[Pixie Dust]

Nice little bit of sweet satisfaction a couple weekends ago.  I was headed back to the dock and a stinkpotter blew by me.  Later I heard someone on the radio giving him "Heck".  Wasn't 2 minutes later, Marine Patrol was hailing him on the radio advising him to reply immed.  He then let him know he would be paying him a visit at the dock!  Ah yes, sometimes it pays to have the radio on.   :D ;D 

[AdriftAtSea]

Connie-

The good guys have to win some of the time... :D

[Seadogg]

Labor Day Weekend plans?

For us, things are still kind of up in the air.  Ernesto is making a right mess of all the jet streams and the various weather services are all giving different forecasts for the weekend.

So our plan is:

1. Pack the boat and proceed as if all is well.

2. Saturday morning, get up and check the off shore forecast for the next couple of days.  If it's good, head on out.

3. If it's bad, keep the boat pack and just keep an eye on the forecast.  We'll give it another day to straighten out.  However, if Sunday morning says it's still bad, we'll scrub it.

What's on your plate?

Nick

[Adam]

Well, if I can guilt a family member into coming down to Key West from the mainland to pick me up, I'll be headed up to get Journey and start my trip home!

My other plans got disrupted by the non-storm that "hit" earlier in the week...

I have some phone calls to make!  ::)