Boat Steering Rules

[ski_king]

This article (http://www.mastercraft.com/knowledge/article/8) in the KNOWLEDGE CENTER (http://www.mastercraft.com/knowledge) has me confused. Maybe I am missing something as I have not finished my morning coffee yet.

Boat Steering Rules


[6/24/2008]

Any time two vessels on the water meet one another, one vessel has the right-of-way. It is called the stand-on vessel. The vessel that does not have the right-of-way is called the give-way or burdened vessel.

These rules determine which vessel has the right of way, and accordingly, what each vessel should do.

The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty to continue its course and speed, except to avoid an immediate collision. When you maintain your direction and speed, the other vessel will be able to determine how best to avoid you.

The vessel that does not have the right-of-way has the duty to take positive and timely action to stay out of the way of the stand-on vessel. Normally, the give-way vessel should not cross in front of the stand-on vessel. Slow down or change directions briefly and pass behind the other vessel. You should always move in such a way that the stand-on operator can see what you are doing.

So, which boat has the right away?

[ski_king]

Ok, I figured it out.......
The MasterCraft does!!












but what if 2 MasterCrafts meet head on?

[Scott]

the smaller one of course!!:D

[ProTour X9]

I've never met a boat head on............

[Marcos]

we do.... keep the skier behind the boat, let the other pass on your left, a small bump from the wake and your both in smooth water again...It gets dangerous when one of the drivers is a "holiday only" warrior and has no clue how to drive. You can recognise those as follows:
1. Never drives a straight line, but goes around in circles.
2. Is standing in the boat facing backwards
3. Hits on the power when the skier has dropped and completely ruines your and his own water
.......need I say more?

[ProTour X9]

1. Never drives a straight line, but goes around in circles.
2. Is standing in the boat facing backwards
3. Hits on the power when the skier has dropped and completely ruines your and his own water
.......need I say more?

WALLY!!!!!

[ski_king]

To me the article is confusing and dosn't answer the question on how to determine which vessel has the right of way.

Then out of curosity, I went to the PA Boat comission website to see if what it advised as I am sure this was a part of the boating safety class that I slept thru and found a different rule.
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/boatcrs/03boathandbook/operation4headon.gif


The rule I have always used is common sense.
However most wallys have little or none of it.

[Chicago190]

Boats going opposite directions should pass port-to-port. That is, the boats should pass down each others port sides.

When overtaking, the boat that is being overtaken has the right of way.

When crossing at an angle, the boat to starboard has the right of way. So if you are cruising, and you see a boat to your starboard that will cross your path, that boat has the right of way. If you see a boat to your port that will cross your path, you SHOULD have the right of way, but with the morons on the water these days I wouldn't count on it.

And I've always followed the rule that if they are pulling someone (even tubers) to drop to neutral and let them pass in all scenarios.

[Bruce]

Down here in Cajun land the the boat with the twice barrelled shoot gun has the right of way!