What are the laws?

This last weekend I was fishing on a north metro lake. As we were fishing we had alot of sail boats come whizzing by the boat, sometimes within 25-40 feet of the boat. We were anchored so it’s not like we were moving into their path or anything.

What are the laws pertaining to an unpowered craft like a sail boat for how far they have to stay away from other vessels? For power boats I believe it is 100 feet or so.

The reason I ask this is because while we were anchored just minding our own buisness a sail boat sails right by our boat…I mean like within 20 feet of it. we barely had time to reel up our lines as to not have them get caught up in the “sailors” After they passed us the wind catches it and over they go. Now they are trying to get it back upright but drifting right to my anchored boat. We had to pull up anchor to miss them and the mast actually went under the boat!!!!

Anybody have some insight on this behavior and wether or not they were breaking the law?

If you are talking about White Bear… the people that run the sail boats don’t care about the laws, they own the lake . These are the same people that call the cops on you when you skip baits under their docs, little bit of an elitest attitude out there.

Unfortunately, its not illegal unless they are operating in an unsafe manor.. and then it pretty much has to be witnessed by an enforcememnt individual or taken on video to be enforcable.

I went round and round with tis last fall.. unsafe isnt neccessarily illegal. The distance they must stay away from and anchored craft applies to PWC’s only(personal water craft). A PWC has to keep 150′ away? .. But a cigar boat ca run 80 mph, 20′ away if they so choose.

When it comes to avoiding a collision on the water, besides rules of thumb… a person must do anything within their own power to avoid a collision.

The problem with the laws pertaining to operating watercraft besides alcohol consumption… most of the laws are generally common sense… well, I think we all now how much common sense is left in this world.

I really think they need to tighten up the laws on boating, and make boaters have a license to operate a boat, similar to drivers licenses. There should be endorsements for PWC’s, waterskiers, etc.

I have been involved in a few boating accidents, each accident sailboaters have been involved.

I was there too. Red Ranger. Did you catch anything ? It was a busy day out. Sailboats – Not illegal. They have been hosting sailboat races on WBL since I was 12. When you see them place the large bouys before the races, it’s usually time to get out of the way.

Also, interesting to note.. historically on White Bear Lake the lake association or maybe the city had an ordinance on how close a person could fish around a dock. That ordinance was deemed unconstitutional and change was made as a result of Bassmasters member involvement.

This was not white bear lake…you all were close though! I was fishing bald eagle. Anchored about 50 feet from the weed bed just off the landing on the way to cigar island. they went right between me and the weed bed….unbelievable.

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This was not white bear lake…you all were close though! I was fishing bald eagle. Anchored about 50 feet from the weed bed just off the landing on the way to cigar island. they went right between me and the weed bed….unbelievable.

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Did you catch anything ? Bald Eagles practically in my backyard !

We managed a couple sunnies and some perch. nothing of major size but the little one along was having fun.

did pull up a walleye about 6″ long though

Wonder who’s fault it would have been if you wouldn’t have pulled anchor and broke there mast off? I would like to see law enforcement sort that one out!

I had the same experience on Bald Eagle last year. The sailboats (several of them) seemed to be trying to get as close to my boat as possible. Real jerks!

Here’s the answer from Ted Gephart, our Coast Guard training instructor.

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Brian,

I’m in Duluth with my Limited class. In the TC tomorrow for the week end doing the Master Inland.

I am not signed in to the site on my laptop so I will send this to you & maybe you could put it up there?

Those lakes are state of Minn. The state incorporates the law from the feds.

Rule 6 safe Speed

Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed…. in determining safe speed the following considerations shall be taken into account:

a)(ii) the traffic density…. a)(iii) the maneuverability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance & turning ability in the prevailing conditions

Rule 18 action by the give way vessel:

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel SHALL, so far as possible, take EARLY & SUBSTANTIAL action to keep well clear. (emphasis by me) (early is taken to mean & decided in court cases to mean ‘as
soon as you know it is your responsibility to keep out of the way, to do so as soon as you know, if you wonder if it is your responsibility, then the rules say it IS!)

in Minn, under narrow channels it says that sailing vessels & power boats should keep out of the way of boats fishing with nets or lines.

It also says that every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of an other vessel shall, on approaching, if necessary, slacken its speed or take all way off.

I don’t have the entire Minnesota statues tho, so I could be corrected on this Minn part.

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