Anchoring in the channels?

Post by **manley** » February 23rd, 2005, 9:08 am

Noticed quite a few anchored between the markers at St. Marks this past Saturday... What say ye?

What are the legalities of it for the boat doing it, and for the boat trying to get past them?

Post by **wevans** » February 23rd, 2005, 9:13 am

I just blow past em "unless they is older or very young folks aboard"

If I have ta get real close because of other boats, OH WELL

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » February 23rd, 2005, 10:12 am

Do not recall who that was we saw anchored in the channel, boat sure did look familiar.

chugbug · Post by **chugbug** » February 23rd, 2005, 10:39 am

I think it's illegal to anchor in a marked channel. Even if it is legal it's kind of silly to think everyone will slow down. It's a different story if the person is broke down.

nautigator · Post by **nautigator** » February 23rd, 2005, 1:38 pm

Of course one should respect the lives of young children whose parents are playing in the shallow end of the gene pool, but old people get the same treatment as the 'young and dumb', drop to 2600 rpm, put the tabs in trailer position and trim the motors as far as I can... I say the old people should get it, but I go easy on the really old. I see some wheel chairs or canes and I would putt-putt, call me a softy, but if my mom ever found out I was being mean to old people, she would knock the taste out of my mouth....

Post by **qoutrage** » February 24th, 2005, 10:03 am

I'm with you, Gator. I see people anchored, between the no-wake bouy and the guide-in at the mouth of the Cbl Rvr quite often.
We are never in too big a hurry to not respect others' postion and safety, old or young, legal or not.
It seems, if folks are not totally blocking the channel, or right in the middle, they are within their right to anchor in any navigable waters, unless signs are posted to the contrary.
I do fish near the markers out of Lanark sometimes. I try to stay out of everyones way. But, if they look to be trying to wash me overboard, I just fire a couple of shots across their bow.

I mean, respect works both ways....And, you don't know who's packing and who's not, or how upset they are already, 'cause the fish ain't biting, or the wife ain't co-operating....

People get thier panties in a wad over nothing, sometimes.

Post by **wevans** » February 24th, 2005, 10:10 am

If I'm in the river or a lake, I'll slow down. If I'm running in a marked channel, I will give you room if possible, but don't expect me to slow down just because you think the fish are biting in the main channel

Post by **qoutrage** » February 24th, 2005, 12:17 pm

Okay Wevans, I'll try to stay out of ya way.

No big deal with me either way, but it's a good question.. Is it legal?
Legal or not, if you wash someone overboard and they drown, your insurance company is gonna be mad at ya and probably won't pay for your less than cautious behavior.
It seems some unspoken rules of the water should apply.
Like- One should not anchor in an active channel, but if one does, it doesn't give another one the right to make waves...enough to endanger life or limb.
-Just my way of seeing it- It don't mean nuthin'.
In the meantime, ya won't catch me in the channel at SM.

Post by **wevans** » February 24th, 2005, 12:32 pm

I'm not trying ta be mean nor disrespectful of others "honest"

My boat makes about as much wake at WOT as it does at idle speed, and if I slow down to late, yer gonna have a MUCH bigger wake than either of the others

It's all about common sense and courtesy, show some common sense and I'll show some courtesy

Post by **qoutrage** » February 24th, 2005, 12:49 pm

Roger that, Wevans.
I'd say, you seem to be a more than decent guy to me, and I don't even know ya.
That character analysis and a buck will get ya a cup of coffee.

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » February 24th, 2005, 1:01 pm

qoutrage wrote: I'd say, you seem to be a more than decent guy to me, and I don't even know ya.

Oh no...

Post by **wevans** » February 24th, 2005, 1:09 pm

I done fooled another one, aint I Don

Post by **mjsigns** » February 24th, 2005, 1:13 pm

Ok Ok Okâ€¦.. It was me and my daughter and a few of other older folks setting in the channel trying to get at those sheepies in that 23â€™ hole in the center of the channel. The â€œWildlife Officer told us we couldnâ€™t anchor in the â€œcenterâ€

Post by **Tom Keels** » February 24th, 2005, 1:36 pm

The law states that you are responsible for your own wake and whatever is the result of it. While it is true that if your wake washes someone overboard you may get sued, however you would at least have to show recklessness to do so. What is more reckless? Operating a boat at normal speeds while in a marked channel or anchoring in a marked channel?

Post by **manley** » February 24th, 2005, 1:40 pm

Now, mj... I wasn't calling any names. I was more concerned than anything, cause I sure wouldn't want to be sitting there, particularly about that other boat you are referring to.

This topic is kinda like that sailboat topic on the other forum... it can tick a lot of people off, and that's not my intent here. I wanted to know what the law is, specifically. (And we all know that the law don't apply to folks in G-3's anyway) Sometimes, (most of the time, actually) the laws are written to protect us from our own stupidity and shortcomings. More often than not, our IQ tends to drop by about 1/3 when we hit the water (GA boys like ds, anyway) and we tend to throw caution to the wind if fish are biting.

Hope I ain't hurt nobody's feelings...