Should Large Power Boats be Banned?

[John_Trusty]

I'm with you guys - don't ban anything. I'd like to add an economic incentive, which is how our society generally motivates activities. Externality is the economic term for impacts on others that are not included in the cost to the owner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality). If the externalities of owning such a vessel were brought home to the owner, it would be less attractive. If you are worried about their environmental impact, put a tax on registration or fuel that would benefit environmental remediation. Think that 'big' boat owner is dangerous because they don't understand and follow ColRegs on a 30-ton boat, require some form of licensing to prove competence. These are not "taxes" because the purpose is not to raise money, but to reflect the true cost of ownership.

I'm all for freedom, but let's not let anyone be freeloaders.

[Lake-Effect]

Charge a realistic, non-subsidized price for fuel, and the problem sorts itself out.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Charge a realistic, non-subsidized price for fuel, and the problem sorts itself out.

Bingo. If you get that right (which is far easier said than done, but still), then this eliminates the moral hazard of letting the state choose whose hobbies to shut down.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by geoleo

Perhaps you should be 'banned' for such a stupid post

context please.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Attikos

That went downhill fast.

I disagree. Pretty reasonable discussion so far, and better than the one we had on the other thread. A lot of people, not surprisingly, don't like the idea of banning large power boats and consider it to be oppressive. Some others have some other suggestions for policy. Pretty interesting so far in my opinion.

[Attikos]

I had written that "downhill" post before yours and a couple of others, then deleted it after seeing the subsequent ones. Cross posting is a pain, I'm afraid.

[Attikos]

John Trusty sez: "I'm all for freedom, but let's not let anyone be freeloaders."

I agree, and the principle applies to quite a number of issues involved with boating, from fuel prices to the cost of municipal marinas to licensing and taxation to regulatory enforcement, and the list goes on. There's a whole lot o' cost shifting goin' on.

[2big2small]

I suspect somebody better informed than me might be able to make an argument for banning the use of fossil fuels from any recreational activities, at this stage in human history.

It would certainely stimulate R&D in alternative energies since there would be an immediate market to sell new solutions.

[Pete7]

Wow, a bunch of Americans discussing banning "Miami Vice" I guess the world is changing.

Pete

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by 2big2small

I suspect somebody better informed than me might be able to make an argument for banning the use of fossil fuels from any recreational activities, at this stage in human history.

Not the sort of thing people are used to hearing from me... but I do actually believe in freedom, such as the freedom to use fossil fuels for recreation. But the flip side of freedom is responsibility: fuel costs must reflect their actual cost to produce and distribute, AND the problems that their use creates.

Given a more realistic fuel price, I'm sure people would make meaningful choices - such as a harder think about how big a powerboat they really need, and maybe not also owning a fleet of hemis and muscle cars for just getting around.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Wow, a bunch of Americans discussing banning "Miami Vice" I guess the world is changing.

Pete

I'm not sure we've heard even one voice for banning so far. Surely someone will be along soon, though.

[2big2small]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Not the sort of thing people are used to hearing from me... but I do actually believe in freedom, such as the freedom to use fossil fuels for recreation. But the flip side of freedom is responsibility: fuel costs must reflect their actual cost to produce and distribute, AND the problems that their use creates.

Given a more realistic fuel price, I'm sure people would make meaningful choices - such as a harder think about how big a powerboat they really need, and maybe not also owning a fleet of hemis and muscle cars for just getting around.

The real cost to humanity of a gallon of fossil fuel is about infinite by now (minus 10% give or take—a little joke for the mathematically inclined sailor). 99.9% of scientists tell us man made global warming is real and a huge chunk of them are warning we might reach the point of no return, after which a runaway spiral of warming might make human life imposible on earth and potentially turn our planet into another Venus with an athmosphere of sulfuric acid instead of the air we breathe. So if we are at the tipping point, then the true cost of a gallon of gas is “infinite.”

But I don’t have the knowledge myself and simply have to trust the overwhelming majority of scientists on this. Also, I don’t want this to become another global warming thread where people who are lots stupider and louder than I hijack the discussion. Would be glad to hear from people with actual knowledge though.

[boatman61]

End subsidised fuel.. not just for large power boats but all forms of engines that require fossil energy to function..
That's you America.. time you paid up like everyone else.. $1.75/litre..

[Woodland Hills]

Are we banning big boats with small engines? What about small boats with really big engines are they verboten too.

Let's compromise and ban all boats propelled by petroleum products: like gasoline or diesel, plastic sails and ropes, etc. or maybe just ban all boats MADE from petroleum products like epoxy , polyester or fiberglass.........

[QBF]

There certainly are a lot of self-righteous authoritarians nowadays.

What's next, a thread or website where they'll tell people what boat they are allowed to purchase, and where they are allowed to cruise?