Bridge Etiquette?

[sg737]

While waiting for a bridge opening with just 2-3 other boats.... one is waiting REALLY far from the bridge. Is it bad form for me to get in front of the laggard??

[Toadmanor]

I say no. I have done so many times and have survived to speak of it. We all have passed safely underneath.


Toad

[Bash]

Not at all. Slackers and laggards forfeit all rights.

[sg737]

Kinda what I thought- Im all for giving everyone plenty of room- but Im guessing no less than 10 boats could have filled the gap.... Thanks!!

[markpierce]

Yeah, just don't crowd anybody.

[David M]

Sometimes the bridge tender will wait for the furthest boat to get close and then open the bridge so that there is no laggard.

[xymotic]

I think it would be poor etiquette to jump in front without asking, and then you can also have a conversation about hanging back too far

[boatpoker]

I always singal the gofasts ahead so I don't have to put up with their wake if they have to pass me after the bridge

[markpierce]

View from the "other side."

[sg737]

Sort of makes my point- I hope we all do our best to limit the time that bridge has to stay up.....

Thanks all for the replies!!

[canadianllama]

Worse ediquite would be to forget to ask for the bridge to go up and just about demast yourself. So happy I was a few feet under the bridge :-(

I don't think it's cutting in front if there's no boat near you. Sounds more like being there first :-)

[Waterway Guide]

It is a question of relativity, though...how much space are you talking about -- 100 ft., 1000 ft.? I have found that some skippers have an intense fear of running into the bridge, and tend to stand off much more than I think is necessary. Most of these have deep keel sailboats which notoriously don't reverse very well, especially when trying to stay within a channel. But sometimes the same type of boat, which often cruises slower than most boats, are happy to let other boats ahead (especially sportfishers, cabin cruisers and fast trawlers) so that they don't have to do-si-do after the bridge. My best Ann Landers: Keep your place, but try to communicate.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by sg737

I hope we all do our best to limit the time that bridge has to stay up...

Exactly. It's just common sense and common courtesy. Don't cut too close in front of someone else, but if there is plenty of room then do what you can to minimize the time the bridge has to stay up.