River Rage

[Tilla]

It can be difficult to pass and keep the wake to a minimum while going upstream and make headway. On the other hand a big wake just might be the best result of safe boat handling too.I dunno, I wasn't there.
No reason to be a hot head though and put people into danger. The cops should be notified of his behavior.

[reeldick]

I would sure rather have you jet boaters come by me on plane throwing little wake than those idiots who think slowing to half throttle is doing anyone a favor. Half throttle equals maximum wake. Either keep it on plane or slow down to idle speed until you are by the other boats.
I seem to see more hot heads out there every year. Why don't people slow down, relax, and enjoy the time on the water. I hate to say it but fisherman are giving fisherman a bad name.

[fishpatrol]

This kind of behavior is pretty common. I think by approaching and apologizing you are definitely going the extra mile.

As stated already, slowing down in a sled may not be the best answer. In order to make headway in most rivers you would need to get up to at least what I like to call "a**hole speed". The wake you generate at trying to idle up a river is usually a lot bigger than being on plane. A lot of people don't realize this.

I like to slow down before approaching. Get their attention or just hang for a couple seconds and then blaze up the river. This allows them to see you and shows that you are cognizant of them. Of course river conditions or boat capability may prevent you from doing that.

[goforchrome]

As a bankie, I prefer a boat going thru on-step and a considerate distance.
Slow may seem more considerate but the wake is excessive and it really doesn't help.
Maybe slow to the point that you're still on-step but able to react if there is traffic or a log.
I don't know this river and how much room there is to pass....

[DanS]

It never hurts to come off a plane when passing other craft. I sure do appreciate it when done so by the sleds

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I guess I just don't get why anyone wants a larger wake coming their way. :whazzup: A boat off step throws a much larger wake than one on plane.

[BUGLEMAN]

Why not slow down to a few miles an hour vrs half throttle. I am sure all sleds put off more of a wake a full plane than at trolling speed. There is a few curtious guides out there that must feel the same way - implied by the way they operate there boat. And they seem to still catch more fish than anyone else.

Blasting by someone at 30mph, especially in slow water is very avoidable. I can understand somewhat in fast water though.

[DanS]

I am sure all sleds put off more of a wake a full plane than at trolling speed.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Never mind...........

[King Kong]

I used to get angry when sleds would go by on plane when I was fishing in my drift boat. Then I bought a sled and understand that you have to stay on plane or else you risk damaging your boat by hitting submerged objects. I believe that most jetboat operators try to give as much distance as they can when passing other boats. If you go by at half throttle in a sled it is going to create a much larger wake!!!!

[Boatdog]

Kevin King - Well said.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Certainly there are dingbats that operate sleds out there without a care in the world. Then there are those that are respectful. When my sled goes slow it puts off a much bigger wake than it does on plane. It is true that the wake from a boat on step moves faster than one that is just trolling by. Perhaps that is Buglemans point. Otherwise I would have to disagree with him.

Under no uncertain terms was that guy in the right by putting you and himself in danger. Rage of that kind deserves to be reported and dealt with.

On step or at troll speed, it all depends on the circumstances and water you are dealing with. Hopefully your judgements are sound out there on the river.

[Silver Hilton]

Whether you were right or wrong, the guy committed assault with a deadly weapon. You should call the sheriff.

[Gus Orviston]

Err two wrongs don't make a right. regardless whether you were being inconsiderate, his actions were purposeful and dangerous...

gus

[GOT2FISH]

I dont think you were wrong.The guy in the other boat could have just as easile said somethimg under his breath and enjoy the ride for 30 secounds.I think hes the one that overreacted and refused the apoligy.Maybe you should have called the sheriff.Dont sweet the small stuff lifes to short.

[Green Willie]

Do your best to do your best. Learn from every experience and you'll be happier. You'll always find a jerk who'll react. Last time I checked we all do something from time to time to anger others.

By the way, it wasn't "assault with a deadly weapon", it would be classified as "wreckless endangerment"

Sometimes it's best to pull over, stop, and have a soda pop, smile and wave with all of you fingers fully extended.

JMHO, wish that I could claim to practice this all of the time--but alas, we are humans.

JN

[sunshinefisherman]

Last weekend I took a run up the Sandy in my 21-foot inboard jet. A man in a similar boat was backtrolling in a narrow and got upset when I went past him on plane. I was about 10 yards away from him which was as far away as I felt I could safely get given the fact that he was in the middle of the channel.

On the way back down a couple of hours later I saw the same boat in the wide part by the mouth. Even though I saw nothing unsafe in my action, I came alongside about 10 yards off his beam to apologize. This did not go well. After suffering his insults (I did not reciprocate) I said that if he could not accept a decent apology then to hell with him. I powered out and unintentionally left more of a wake than I might have.

About 30 seconds later, I was running at a moderate speed over the shallows at the mouth when this guy came alongside and cut in front of me and then cut back. I think that he was trying to spray me with his jet. When he cut back, his boat slowed down and since he was less than 10 feet off my bow, I had to cut the throttle to avoid running up on his stern.

Two things happen when you cut the throttle in one of these boats, first you lose the ability to steer, second is that your draft increases. I fortuntely was able to avoid hitting either the bottom or this gentleman's boat.

I was scared for my safety and the safety of my 11 year old daughter who was in the boat with me, so I punched it. He then chased be at maximum throttle all the way down to Chinook Landing. When I called the Coast Guard for help, he took off. This situation could easily have resulted in the capsize of both boats or the death of one or more of the occupants.

Whether or not you agree with my actions or his, the point of this post is to illustrate the increasing need for sportsman of all stripes to employ the maximum courtesy and tolerence for others at all times. I cannot fault this guy more than myself for ignorance or rudeness. I do fault him for escalating the situation from disagreement or rudenss to the point where he endangered my safety.

Now for my two cents worth. . .

Bank fisherman, Drift boaters, rafters, kayakers, float tubers, and jet boaters need to share the rivers.

If you fish from a drift boat or tube or from the bank, and think that all jet boaters are inconsiderate jerks, try driving one or talk to an owner.

If you are a boat operator that wonders why people on the bank are getting upset, go bank fishing.

Don't judge your fellow sportsman until you walk a mile in their waders. If we cannot become more of a tolerent, self-policing community, I fear that our fishing and hunting priviledges will be in jeopardy.

:depressed:

[BUGLEMAN]

It never hurts to come off a plane when passing other craft. I sure do appreciate it when done so by the sleds. It helps the comfort level of every one else and making an effort to show courtesy to others takes the edge off.

Not to say Mr. hot head was justified.

[ 02-12-2004, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: BUGLEMAN ]

[bait-n-wait]

I would say the fault lies with him as, on a good plane, you boat probably throws a minimal wake. I fish in a 14' Gregor and am very suseptable to wakes, and get hit by them often. It has become a fact of life. I have had several boats come too close (less than 10 yds) I have shouted something like "JERK" (my boys are usually with me) and leave it at that. Had any of them came by later and said "Sorry about that" and was honest about it I would accept the apology and be impressed by the gesture. I think people need to have a little more tolerance. my $.02

[sunshinefisherman]

Thanks for all your responses. Keep them coming because I am interested in your opinions on what is acceptable.

Just to clarify, I did not pass him at maximum throttle. I almost always run at about 4000 to 4500 rpm, this is approximately 18 to 28 MPH. My maximum is 5600 rpm at about 45 mph and I drop off plane at 3800. In this case I was running at about 4100. If I run flat out I have no room to accelerate should I need to maneuver.

Accelerating under power is the best way to turn a boat with no rudder. It is like wave runner, you have to push it around the corner. Jet boats are counterintuitive, if you get into trouble; you punch it, not cut it.

As to reporting incidents like this, I talked to a river patrol officer yesterday on the matter. If I can get a boat number, they will look up the owner and send him a stern letter. (It would not be worth creating another incident to obtain a registration number.) If they get someone still on the water after an incident, they will cite them on the spot. He said to call 911 who will relay the call. You can also call the Multnomah County River Patrol dispatch direct at 503-288-6788.

He also reminded me of the fact that all boat operators are civilly liable for their wake. It seems unlikely that a jet boat on plane could leave enough wake to capsize or cause damage to, any thing larger than a kayak much less a 20+ foot, high gunwale aluminum jet boat.

While it may seem like recklessness to go by other fishermen / boaters at 20 or 25 mph, it is actually safer and creates less impact on the hole. When I am on plane my exhaust ports are out of the water, when I am plowing they are in the water. You judge which is more likely to scare the fishies.

See you all on the river and I hope you catch a big one!