Please READ if you travel the Channel.

[Riverliver]

Dear Friends,

I think there is a little miss understanding when it comes to the rules below. There are a lot of boaters that pass by my house creating way too much of a wake. I don’t believe that a lot of people that operate boats on the river understand the rules of the road.

General rule of thumb is within 200 feet of boat ramps, marinas, or moorages a NO wake rule applies. (See Below) HOWEVER you are liable for any damage your wake might produce any time even if your 205 feet away from the boat ramps, marinas, or moorages.

There has been a countless number of boats over 20 feet pass my house cruising at about 5 mph creating a huge wake. I’m sure they thought they were with in the law maintaining 5 mph but because of their huge Wake they were not. But as most of us know a 20 plus foot boat doing about 5 mph generates one heck of a wake. The WAKE is the issues either inside or outside the 5 mph zone. If your out side the 200 feet NO WAKE zone and your boat generates less wake on plane (As most smaller boats do) then stay on plane outside the 200 feet NO WAKE zone. But if your inside the 200 feet NO WAKE zone then you must obey the 5mph law.

I’m posting this because I’ve noticed a lot of boats going by this season creating way too much wake. Last year I lost two double pane windows because of boats going by my house leaving a large wake. Large wakes create a lot of damage too floating homes. So please No wake this is not to rant but too educate the general public.

Thank you
Riverliver

THE SLOW-NO WAKE RULE
Oregon has a slow no wake rule designed to protect our waterways and the people who use them. The basic rule (OAR 250-10-025) reads:
Operators of boats must observe Slow-No Wake, Maximum 5 MPH Speed Limit within 200 feet of a boat ramp, marina, or moorage with a capacity for six or more vessels; a floating home moorage with six or more structures; or people working at water level. Operator may be liable for damage caused by wake. This rule does not apply to commercial vessels or river navigation when more speed is needed to assure safe passage.
Remember, 5 MPH is a maximum, so if you have to go slower than this to eliminate your wake, you must do so. Violation of the slow no wake rule is a class B infraction, and can result in a fine of up to $350.
Please refer to the Oregon boating regulation, available from the Marine Board, for local restrictions on wake.
More on this information can be found here http://www.boatoregon.com/Library/WatchWake.pdf
Multnomah Channel, Columbia/Multnomah, 250-020-0051, 250-020-0282
Slow-no wake, maximum 5 mph for motorboats:
-- within 200' of moorages between Hadley's Landing and Willamette River;
-- within 200' of the public transient moorage at Coon Island;
-- within 200' of the Gilbert River boat ramp;
n on Scappoose Bay within 200' of Bayport Marina and public ramp
This information can be found here http://www.boatoregon.com/Laws/RegsL-S.html#M

[Reel Fun Fish'n]

I spite of the law the river is a commerical traffic lane. if you dont like the ride don't cowboy up.

[Pete]

Commercial traffic has to obey the rules, too ... all RiverLiver is asking for is a little courtesy and consideration. I think his request and reminder is appropriate. Wanna get me started on the speed limit on the street in front of my house? 2 people died last weekend going over 100 in a 25 MPH zone 2 houses down from mine. We all gotta get along to get along. T'ain't so tough.

[Smj]

Reel Fun Fishn'...Oooooo, I'll bet your going to be popular with the floating home people in the area!

Riverliver, Is it the fishing boats that are putting out damaging wakes? When I've been salmon fishing between Harlow's and Browns it was the huge yachts that were throwing off 4' rollers. I thought it was kind of rude as the yachts were only going 6 or 7 mph., it wouldnt have killed them to slow to 4 or 5 mph. for 50 yards.

By the way, thanks for the channel reports!

Smj

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Greg,

I have definately been guilty of the speed thing from time to time in these area's because I just wasn't thinking at the time...

I try to be sensitive to the local people that live there and will remember this post as I frequent those areas...

For the most part I troll in these areas you are talking about but you are right, we should all be more courteous...

OBTW, I have not forgot about you and will call you for a trip...I still want to talk to you about the radio and join you sometime over there for a coffee... I will call today since I have off and am not doing anything except chores...

I was thinking about going out today but I need to get on some things...

[Bluebird]

Riverliver,

Amen Brother.

I too was down they're yesterday and couldn't but help to notice the boats halling you know what in front of peoples houses. They also are operating way too close to the boat ramp at Cathederal Park as well. I was pulling out yesterday and my boat almost ended up on the dock. When I tied off and went up to get my truck a big cruiser boat was coming down river at about 8 knots and about 20 feet from the outer edge of the docks, too close in my opinion. Their wake caused huge swells and made it very dangerous around that area.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">My too cents...

[Bill Monroe]

I feel a feature coming on...

[Riverliver]

Operators of boats must observe Slow-No Wake, Maximum 5 MPH Speed Limit within 200 feet of a boat ramp, marina, or moorage with a capacity for six or more vessels; a floating home moorage with six or more structures; or people working at water level. Operator may be liable for damage caused by wake. This rule does not apply to commercial vessels or river navigation when more speed is needed to assure safe passage.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Reel Fun Fish'n - Perhaps it might be best for you too re-read my post.

PETE - I look at the River traffic in the same manor you look at the traffic in front of your house. Thank you I didn't think of putting it like that.

SMJ- Your right most of the time (75%)it's the bigger boats returning on Sunday afternoon.

KHH- No worries I figured you had your hands full. Went Gator fishing last week and brought in a 11 pound channel cat J

RL

[Grantspastor]

Informative and civil post Riverliver...on an issue that I am sure has caused frustration to you. Good job!

[Bluetick]

Riverliver
Thanks for the polite reminder, I've always thought it would be nice to live on the water.

JM

[RIPPLE]

Good post and well put Riverliver. I travel the channel quite a bit and have for 20 + years. You are exactly right, a boater is responsible for his wake regardless of speed or distance. Too many laws exist in our society because somewhere along the line people have forgotten to think about the other people around them and have forgotten to be courteous. I have seen just as much damage done by smaller boats, 18-25' going exactly 5 miles per hour, half on plane. The sign says "watch your wake", well do it! not only watch your wake, but watch what it does to people and things around you, because you are liable. Sorry to rant a little, I am usually so :grin: , but this is one of my peeves.
:grin: RIPPLE :grin:

[will_e_fish]

I moored down there last year and it was almost everybody at one time or another. Speeeding by the houses,docks,or ramps. So many times I had been knocked around by the yatch wakes it gets old quick. Too bad Consideration and courtesy are not contagious.

[CARTMAN]

Reel fun Fish'n are you kidding me.. It sounds like you are the kind of guy that complains when others bring up an issue but the minute something like this happens to you, you will be all up in arms. Riverliver was kindly asking people to remeber to obey the posted rules of the water. I have friends who are river patrol deputies and they are always talking about this issue. They told me 90% of the problem is the bigger boats. However, remember that you don't have to be big or going fast to create a damaging wake. Just think of how mad you will be when the come after you to pay for the damage your wake created. or if someone dameges you property. It is just like when you are anchored up and some jerk flies by creating a hughe wake tossing your boat around. I don't mean to preach but kindness is also a commercial traffic lane, in as it goes both ways.

Cartman

[hookem]

I find that when I want to get from point A to point B on the river I like to go fast!..........
and it can be frustrating if there are what seems like miles and miles of house boats. I think a lot of other boaters think that way. because my boats only 16' I also like to think that my wake is smaller when I go fast, I may be wrong about this at times. So.....sorry about going to fast.... I know when I am achored up in a line there are time I am about to get sea sick from the wakes

[wanafish]

With a desire to do the right thing let me ask a question. When going for instance out of Scappoose Bay heading for the CR you will pass alot of boats, some anchored, some trolling. My 19' puts out very liitle wake on plane but is it a judgement thing or is there an unwritten rule that you should always slow down to 5mph or less soon enough to kill the wake. At 5mph my boat puts out a similar wake to as on plane. Most of the time I slow down but I've observed many who don't. Again, I'm not talking about the posted areas but around other fishing boats.

[garyk]

RiverLiver: good post. I think most pleasure boaters are totally unaware that they are ALWAYS responsible for their wake. And, I think many of the yachters are totally oblivious to how much wake they throw.

One thing around the Sauvie Island Bridge that causes confusion is that according to the marine patrol, the line of marker buoys set out by the home-owners is not set at 200' - and may be as little as 100' in places. So boaters are a lot closer than they might think.

[Miss B Haven]

Riverliver- I take exception to the fact that you are stating boats make more wake at 5 mph than faster. 7-8 or 10 knots maybe yes they would be better off at speed, but not 5. If you don't believe me I'll take Miss B past your front door at 5 and then down the other side at 20. You can decide which speed to curse me at (no - you don't get to do both) :grin: .

Those 20 footers that are pushing "huge wakes" are going well over 5mph and "pushing a wall".

Oh- somehow a lot of folks think that going 5mph over ground with a 3-4 knot current running against them is "within the law" Those guys tweek me. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Miss B (only a part time Riverliver)

[BottomFeeder]

I'de like to chime in here about the speed issue. It's not really a speed issue, it's a wake issue. On the occasion I do pass the section of boat houses, which is rare, I like to stay to the outside (&gt;200ft) and on plane. I put out less wake that way. I've seen the large cabin cruiser type ships at 5mph put out 3'-4'wakes. Slowing down to 5mph is not the answer, slowing down to a low wake speed or staying on plane at &gt; 200' makes more sense.


-Bottomfeeder

[Rakkasan]

Right off the bat someone get's defensive

Fact is a wake is a wake no matter what size boat people have. If it say "no wake" it means "no wake" I think they need to get rid of the MPH rule and leave it as no wake. I would get tired of it too if I lived on the river and got rolled around. Maybe they need wake photo radar on the water

Just take there boat registration down with a nice digital and send it in once in a while :grin:

We used to come down the channel in a 228 foot stern wheeler without making a wake. hhhhhhmmmmm :smile:

[ 02-16-2004, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: DSRods ]

[trollin4trout]

re: garyk's post about markers not being set at 200ft. This is nuts. I always thought those markers were set by some authority who knew where 200ft. is and that that was the line for us to obey. So, I assume this means that you could be on plane outside the markers and still get a ticket? Nuts again. I defy anyone-boater or Sheriff, to guess how far out 200ft. is without some buoy marker. If it's not clear, how can we comply?

After all this discussion (and riverliver is right on-thank-you), does anyone know if the Sheriff watching will ticket people on plane outside ANY marker in the channel while NOT making an unreasonable wake? I'll gladly follow the regs, just tell me where the ticket/no ticket line is at!

[Fish-n-Fever]

If a boat comes off plane an slows to 5mph 90% of the time they are throwing a big wake. Just slowing down won't always ease the wake problem. Remember guys when you slow down to 5 mph make sure the back of your boat "pops" up and you run flat not at a 30% nose up attitude through the water. You might have to slow down to more than 5mph to pop it up flat then gradually watch your wake back up to the 5mph.
My $.02
Ron

[Riverliver]

FYI
200 feet outside the floating home moorages in most places would impede commercial river traffic. The average boat is 20 feet long so multiply that by ten.
I don't have a digital camera but I have chased down boaters slowed them down and explained the rules to them. As well as on occasion copied their vessel name/numbers and turned it over to the coast guard when they wouldn’t comply. I didn’t come up with that idea it’s rather common on the River to do so.
Thank you for reading this string as well as paying more attention to your wake.
RL


[ 02-16-2004, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Riverliver ]

[chinookin]

Amazing, the kind of attitude shown by one or two people. Is it any wonder why private land owners are getting sick and tired of fisherman. Its not just the wake, it is the attitude. Who wants to give anything to anybody with tude. I wish people today were more like people that were around when my grandpa was alive.

[IFISH4U]

This is just common sense

[Riverliver]

chinookin isn't that the truth.

[Mark Vickers]

Amen Riverliver.

I live on the North Portland Harbor. For the most part 99% of people that pass my house are considerate and creating almost no wake at all.

All people really need to do is look back as they drive along and see if they're putting out much of a wake and adjust their speed accordingly.

And yes, I've seen the sheriff give out tickets for excessive speed/wake right in front of my house (as well as pulling three kids off of a boat that had no lifejackets on board.)

[Steelin Steel]

RiverLiver- Thanks for posting one of my biggest pet peeves. I live in your area, and the yacht wakes on weekends stink! I recently took the Power Squadron boating course to meet my boater's safety requirement, and everyone else in the class were yacht people. They complained the whole time about the fast fishing boats causing wakes, but they were in shock when I explained that their wakes were worse.

When I fish alone, I usually take my little 12' boat because it is easier to manage solo, and I have been scared by the wakes thrown by slow moving pleasure craft. I would rather ride out the frieghter wakes on the CR than the yachts on the channel. They are about the same size, but the ship wakes are spaced further apart.

[ssteelheadsteve]

If there is 200 ft' between me and the dock I get on plane and go like hell making less wake.People complain.If I need to idle through a 5 mph zone people complain. The answer is to ban Houseboats. Why should I have to look at houses the complete length of the channel ? My thouhgts on moving up and down smaller rivers with sled and Dboats . If it has a motor and you want to be elsewhere stand on it.Go away.Make less wake and be gone.Thats how I feel when I am in the Drift Boat and I feel the same when I am in the sled. Slowing down to a crawl at bonnie lure just causes wore wake.As to the boneheads who don't know the difference between on plane and Jack Daniel's flat out I have no answer.

[Riverliver]

Maybe I should reply... But why? The answer seems to be with in itself.
Tight lines
RL

[SPAZZ]

[img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

[hawgcatcher]

And then we go to the jet skis and water sking boats. I have been on the Willamette and almost been swamped by some ding bat that feels that he has the right to the whole river pulling a skier.

Or the jerk that opens up the jet ski to mach 5 and then, while about 20 feet away, does a quick turn and throws a wake worse then a ship coming up the Columbia.

I have found that casting a bass plug with three sets of treble hooks will chase some away, but then again, if I caught one, how would I filet it?

[Lured In]

In this instance I believe there are a couple different issues.

(BTW Riverliver...thanks for posting this as I believe it is an important issue.)

1. As I read the statute, I don't specifically see anything that states if you are outside of the 200' buffer you are liable for damages. This would be most obvious if the area is marked with no wake bouys. As a hunter, I would be surprised if most people can accurately determine what 200' actually looks like on the water if not marked by bouys. Therefore a good personal rule of thumb may be to up the distance to 100 yards which more people can relate to. (Although I am sure some wouldn't be able to figure that our either. ) Common sense should rule in these situtations. If you are 'near' any of the above listed moorages, slow down.

2. The argument, "but my boat puts out a smaller wake on plane" is hogwash when discussing this. There is not a control or danger issue here (such as in smaller rivers). You boat puts out NO WAKE at roughly 4-5 knots. If you don't have a speedometer on your boat, slow down until your not putting out a wake and you will be under 5 mph. If you are anywhere near the 200' buffer you must slow down. It is a NO WAKE zone, not a small wake zone.

3. You need to slow down BEFORE you get within 200' of the moorage. It will take a fair distance (50-100 yards) to slow down depending on speed and this size of your vessel.

4. I have to agree with Miss B. If you have a large vessel, the 5 mph rule still holds true. Look back and if you are still putting out a wake, slow down some more. The exception would be something akin to a barge. Again, you have to slow down BEFORE you get to the buffer.

I believe this year the vast majority of Oregonian boaters will be required to have their Boater Cert card (under 50 years old?). Don't be suprised to see the coast guard or sheriff start pulling cards if you are breaking the law. Obeying no wake laws in the study material and you are responsible for it.

Riverliver and Pete...if you need to burn off some extra steam, come on over and join me and the neighbors as we yell at the 'through' traffic on our residential road doing 45mph+ down the street. Its great fun in the summer time and keeps the kids safe.

[FishBowl]

ssteelheadsteve you are a guide and from the posts I have seen from you one that I would NEVER EVER consider fishing with you seem to be quite a [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] at times or maybe I am just reading it wrong

[ 02-19-2004, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: Crambone ]

[Riverliver]

1. As I read the statute, I don't specifically see anything that states if you are outside of the 200' buffer you are liable for damages. This would be most obvious if the area is marked with no wake buoys. As a hunter, I would be surprised if most people can accurately determine what 200' actually looks like on the water if not marked by buoys. Therefore a good personal rule of thumb may be to up the distance to 100 yards which more people can relate to. (Although I am sure some wouldn't be able to figure that our either. ) Common sense should rule in these situations. If you are 'near' any of the above listed moorages, slow down.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Thank you for your post Lured In . But it does state in my comments below that you are liable for damages your wake produces.

General rule of thumb is within 200 feet of boat ramps, marinas, or moorages a NO wake rule applies. (See Below) HOWEVER you are liable for any damage your wake might produce any time even if your 205 feet away from the boat ramps, marinas, or moorages.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I just didn't state the law code below.. But I can if you would like me too. Please don't get me wrong on this I do not what anyone to get the idea that I’m on my soap box. It’s as aggravating for me as speeding on your local streets would be for you.
Thank you again for reading this as well as overlooking it if I’m out of line.
RL