Charter do's and don't

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Even on Interstates, the dumbos actually slow down when they're passing, especially a truck!

Exactly. It is the hind-brain telling them that there is an evolutionary advantage to staying in a group. What's more, the group can provide better protection if it includes a few big guys. So the subconscious says that sticking close to something big is a good thing to do, hence the great propensity for slowing down (or speeding up--you see that, too) to stay next to a big truck (which, of course, is an incredibly STUPID thing to do if you actually think about it).

The problem is that these people are not actually using their brains. They are carefully protecting their grey matter from any danger of over-exercise. They are simply reacting on an instinctive level, without putting any thought into what they are doing. They are Driving While Oblivious, which should be an offense almost equal to Driving While Intoxicated.

I'm not joking, either. I am serious about this. I honestly think that the evolutionary imperative to stay with a group, combined with a complete lack of any real thinking, is the only logical explanation for the behavior that you see out on our highways, and also in anchorages.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Exactly. It is the hind-brain telling them that there is an evolutionary advantage to staying in a group. What's more, the group can provide better protection if it includes a few big guys. So the subconscious says that sticking close to something big is a good thing to do, hence the great propensity for slowing down (or speeding up--you see that, too) to stay next to a big truck (which, of course, is an incredibly STUPID thing to do if you actually think about it).

The problem is that these people are not actually using their brains. They are carefully protecting their grey matter from any danger of over-exercise. They are simply reacting on an instinctive level, without putting any thought into what they are doing. They are Driving While Oblivious, which should be an offense almost equal to Driving While Intoxicated.

I'm not joking, either. I am serious about this. I honestly think that the evolutionary imperative to stay with a group, combined with a complete lack of any real thinking, is the only logical explanation for the behavior that you see out on our highways, and also in anchorages.

Not only do many drivers hang in groups and slow down to pass but also, one of my biggest gripes, they drive in the passing lane even when they have plenty of room to move back to the right. If you want to drive faster than the mob (and I'm not talking about Autobahn level speeds but in many cases just the posted limit on the highway) you have to weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right and other maneuvers that aren't the best practice.

And yes the perennial anchor in mobs. Last time I experienced it I was heading south down the ICW, transiting a long canal section. Came out of the canal into a wide open bay late afternoon, pulled about half mile off the channel and dropped the hook. There was at least a mile to the north and 2-3 miles to the south along this shoreline that were deep enough and just as protected as where we anchored. Sure enough, about 30 minutes later another boat came out of the canal, pulled up and anchored less than 100 yards away when they had 3-4 miles of identical spots to choose from. At least they were far enough away that when the wind shifted in the middle of the night we were still outside their swinging circle.

[a64pilot]

The thing I have noticed is that many will always anchor at the same spot, regardless of wind.
Two weekends ago the wife and I went to anchor out, passed the "anchorage" at Shell island which is on the North side of a Barrier island. we passed a few boats and anchor being tossed around as they were downwind of the whole bay at there was a couple miles of fetch.
We tucked up against the shoreline behind some big trees and enjoyed a relatively calm weekend all by ourselves, but we weren't in THE anchorage.

[Steven UK]

just going to add something to the 'do' list. check the bilge float switch because my charter boat filled up with water yesterday when the hose clamp rusted through that was securing the hose the the exhaust muffler. i was motoring away from the fuel dock in Leveric Bay to anchor over by the Bitter End Yacht Club. bay be five minutes and the water was over the floor boards. so i guess it was one of those escalating problems due to several overlooked maintenance items. interesting day though.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Not only do many drivers hang in groups and slow down to pass but also, one of my biggest gripes, they drive in the passing lane even when they have plenty of room to move back to the right. If you want to drive faster than the mob (and I'm not talking about Autobahn level speeds but in many cases just the posted limit on the highway) you have to weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right and other maneuvers that aren't the best practice.

Mine, too. Thanks for posting. We drive I5 from SF to Canada two or three times a year. Once the highway is two lanes, these bozos crop up all the time. They get on the highway and even if there is no one on it, they pull into the left lane and stay there!!! Their mothers musta told them the right lane is for trucks and trucks wear out the highway and it's smoother in the left lane... I pull up behind them, flash my lights and they still stay there. Jerks. Worse than port tackers holding their course.