Is the level of crowding up and the level of seamanship down post COVID lockdown?t

[Hegemon]

I live near Cleveland, OH on the south shore of Lake Erie. Just the other day this news article was posted.

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/...stanced-summer

Most marinas have opened up in my area with social distancing guidelines. However, some boat owners are deciding not to put their boats in the water in fear of catching Covid-19 from crew.

Anyone can buy a boat but without the proper knowledge will put themselves and others in danger. The lake is higher this year and one needs to be more diligent about where they are boating and sailing.

We will see how things go. smh

[bjp447]

If you think it is bad out there, we are on a lake in Ga with a R21ec tug and I won't
even think of going out Friday thru Sunday. Anyone with enough money or credit to buy a power boat or PWC is out there without any clue to safe boating. Courtesy is out the window it is a free for all. You mention Boat safety course or Coast Guard boating course and you get blank looks. It has been working up to it but this year is starting off as the worst. I wish I was on the Chesapeake.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Shrew

Are you seeing more boats in the popular anchorages? Or are you simply seeing less rafting. 4 boats rafted take up 3x less space.

As for day sailors.....it's a way to get outside and still remain social distances, or at least limiting it to your household. When you can do it anytime you want and life (BBQ's, birthdays, graduations) get in the way, people tend to take it for granted more (We can do that next weekend). With all social functions closed, there are no conflicts. Add in that many people have been cooped up for over 2 months. People just want to get out. If it's a beautiful day and there's nothing else to do, why sit around the house or do MORE chores?? How much bread can you bake??

There never was much rafting in these places.


There was also no evidence of social distancing. The charter fishing boats are running full without a mask in sight... but that is a different issue.


I'm sure it's mostly pent up unrest. That's natural. But it reminded me of the overcrowded boat scene in Jaws.

[bjp447]

It is more boats with very obvious new/or just unskilled boaters.
The pandemic hasn't helped, but here in Ga we have had no restriction
on boating aside from the social distancing which lasted, ohh until the first
boat hit the lake. Talking to the DNR guys they agree, it is getting out
of control. The new wake boats and the 8 X 15 foot floating
mats that came out this year are not helping.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by bjp447

It is more boats with very obvious new/or just unskilled boaters.
The pandemic hasn't helped, but here in Ga we have had no restriction
on boating aside from the social distancing which lasted, ohh until the first
boat hit the lake. Talking to the DNR guys they agree, it is getting out
of control. The new wake boats and the 8 X 15 foot floating
mats that came out this year are not helping.

Ooh ooh ooh I wonder if I can get one about 300 ft long to tow behind