Boating Etiquette: Your Ultimate Guide to Better Boating
Etiquette, manners, and morals are common traits expected from your fellow man. It doesn’t matter if your a new boat owner or a seasoned one, the world has enough chaos going on, so the least we can do is make our daily lives a bit easier. When it comes to boating etiquette, rules become vital to avoiding delays and danger.
In 2016, there were over 1000 boating-related accidents in Canada attributed to negligence or inexperience. That’s why it is important to always be vigilant and aware of boating rules and etiquette.
Some of these rules are more about conveniences, while others aim to prevent accidents.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned captain, you can never have too much knowledge in this area. As prime boating season is upon us, let’s get our boats dewinterized and go over some of the most important rules of boating etiquette.
Watch Your Wake
Probably the biggest mistake one can make when jumping on their boat to escape onto the waters is ignoring their wake.
Speeding through a channel when it looks all clear is an amateur move. Even if you think you’re fast enough to avoid crossing paths with someone, your wake may really ruin someone’s day behind you.
There’s also a chance that someone may turn in ahead of you, causing you to swerve and pushing your wake into boats that are docked.
If you cause those boats to bang into each other, you’re screwed. You’re not in a sports car, so you can’t hit the gas before you hit the open road (waters in this case).
Let Bigger, Faster Boats by
Boat etiquette sometimes starts with taming the ego.
If you see a boat that is coming up behind you at a faster clip, don’t speed up. Let it pass you by, because the easier the pass, the less wake created.
The same goes if their boat is the same class as yours and they’re simply speeding when they shouldn’t be. Express yourself with words and hand gestures if you wish – just don’t make the waters more dangerous.
Follow the Anchors
When it comes to docking your boat, the first boat sets the rule.
This means that every boat that arrives after the first person must mimic their tie off. If everyone tied their boat at different lengths, the waves would make you remember any miscalculations.
If you’re the first person to anchor, you should attempt to figure out the best swing radius. This factors in the full swing during low tide and proximity to other boats and surroundings.
You have to take into account that your boat can get pointed in other directions during a choppy night.
Neighborly Boating Etiquette
When you’re anchoring to host guests or participate in an event, you should be aware of your surroundings.
Will your neighbors be occupying their boats during the festivities? Are you planning on cooking or smoking, which could travel downwind?
Think about your location and how loud it might get at night.
Sound carries much farther over water, so it is worth considering if you plan on having any parties. The same goes for when you think you’re having a private conversation out on the dock, but it can be overheard next door.
Using the Ramp/Undocking
Ramps are another neglected area of boating etiquette.
When you’re getting your boat off or on the ramp, do it without taking all day. Limit the amount of time spent at the ramp by handling as much prep and clean-up as you can before you get to the ramp.
If you have others with you, assign responsibilities so that you can quickly load and unload at the ramp. Whatever you do, don’t sit there and clean out the contents of your boat while at the ramp.
When it comes to fueling your boat, don’t wait to do it while you’re doing a grocery run, restocking supplies, and so on. Temporary docks are very useful and can go a long way when practicing good boating etiquette.
Everyone wants to spend as much time either on the water or at home, so delays can be a drag.
Take Care of Your Space
Nothing is worse than a boat owner who is a slob or constantly complains about their stuff getting stolen. Don’t be that person who leaves supplies strewn out on the marina for others to navigate around. Keep your ship tight, on and off the boat.
The same goes for rentals and docking supplies. Always put it back how you found it. You shouldn’t be so busy you can’t deflate and wrap things up to reduce the footprint.
Mopping and sweeping up your areas around the slip is also good boating etiquette. If you fish often, you’re bound to leave behind that fishy bait smell wherever you go. A nice wash does well over high-trafficked areas.
Be a Good Samaritan
This is a piece of boating etiquette that amounts to asking you to be a good person.
When you see a boater who looks like he’s having some boat problems or could be having a bad day, offer to help out. Many boaters can be stubborn or too proud to ask for help, so walk over to them and tell them that you can help out.
You don’t necessarily have to go out of your way to help everyone around you, just be attentive. Your kind gestures will come back around when you need it.
Be Prepared
Ask your occupants to bring items proper for the weather you’ll be leaving from and where you will be going.
Ensure every visitor has a decent set of non-slip deck shoes. On the off chance that you will be doing some venturing out, other than lying on the shoreline, ensure they bring something more suitable than a bathing suit and sunglasses.
Explain the restricted space on your vessel, and request that they pack their stuff in a compact backpack or bag. Waterproof is recommended, but not a requirement, just because they’re on a boat.
When you’re visiting remote ports, tell your visitors ahead of time to bring IDs or passports. Make them mindful of any cultural customs they should think about before embarking on their trip. Boating etiquette is pretty universal, but do research on it too.
At the point of arrival, allocate a locker to everyone. Don’t make the mistake of thinking of doubling your boat as a hotel. It could be hazardous or hinder the safety of your vessel to have everyone’s stuff advertised to outsiders.
Be a Responsible Captain
Being prepared as a passenger is easy as long as you pack light and smart.
As a captain, boating etiquette includes proper upkeep of your boat. Loud, smelly, and stiff driving on open waters is a blight on the community.
If your boat is in tip-top shape right now, keep it that way. Regular maintenance is key; it’s also a good idea to keep a variety of parts on-hand in case of emergency. Don’t skip the morning safety checks just because you’re on vacation!
Tell your guests about waking up early and getting their morning routines out of the way efficiently. Emphasize that there’s only a limited amount of washing and flushing allotted. Water conservation is key to a happy crew.
This is also a good time to go over emergency protocols before departing. Make sure they understand everything clearly so there’s no panic. Show them how to use the emergency radio, flares, and First Aid kit.
Fueling, docking, and departure times should also be pretty clear. No matter whose fault it is, having to wait for someone to board is not going to sit well with boaters waiting to use the dock or fueling station.
Setting the Bar High
Having to follow proper boating etiquette can sound pretty high-maintenance. Just think about the time that will be saved by being more disciplined, though.
If all boaters took a half an hour to dock, hours to undock, and raced around like a jet skier, you’d be a sitting duck.
Veterans of watersports and manning ships will tell you that you never forget an accident on the water. That’s why you find two different classes of boaters: serious, no-frills drivers and cowboys who think they can wing it. You don’t get grumpier with age, you just get wiser from witnessing the consequences.
Being prepared lets you find the best spots and get there safer and faster while making more friends along the way. If you’re ever in need of boating service tips or advice or looking to improve your cruise, give us a call or email.
There’s no substitute for having the knowledge and resources while away from dry land. Keep a cool head and you’ll have a great time!