GL: Are We a Bigoted Group of Boaters?

[Kevin Redden]

Are the list members a bigoted group of boaters? Do we believe that anyone
who doesn't own a boat like ours, or drive it the way we do doesn't belong
on the water? Do we not want to share our beautiful waterways with people
who have different views of what constitutes boating?

The recent thread on the "Sunken yacht in ICW" brought forth a chorus of
condemnation deploring the simple fact that the boat involved was doing 22
knots, with some implying the drivers of any large yacht were irresponsible.
Damning statements included:

   . any large yacht going 22 knots in the ICW deserves what they got 

   . Any SOB that runs WOT down the ICW --- I look at
     this as "a balance of nature".

   . It shouldn't be anybody's "right" to go as fast as they 
     want, anywhere on the waterway

This chorus of condemnation rang out on the list even though the area of the
Pungo River involved was a wide open area where 20 - 30 knots speeds are
perfectly normal. That leads me to realize that some members were just
riling against the simple fact that some boats cruise a speeds far higher
than the speeds that most list member's boats run at. Just because our own
boat may have a cruising speed of 8 knots does not mean that the owner of a
boat with a cruising speed of 22 knots is irresponsible if he runs faster
than our 8. Taking that type of illogical position is just showing a
prejudice against a boat owner who has different priorities in what
constitutes a boat.

There are all type of boaters out there, not just us. A kayak or a jet ski
is just as valid a personal choice in watercraft as is a trawler, fast motor
yacht or a go-fast. While the non-trawler varieties are not my personal cup
of tea, those who choose to buy these other boats have just as much right to
the waters as a trawler driver does, with the accompanying right to operate
at his normal cruising speed (in the appropriate areas of course - like the
Pungo River).

There are also different attitudes for the drivers - some have to get the
boat to a destination ASAP, while others want to slow down and experience
the trip. To say one is good and the other bad is a bigoted point of view.

Let's realize that the waters belong to everyone, not just to those with a
boat like ours, and who drives are trawler speeds. Condemning others for
making different choices does not make sense.

Kevin