I knew the victims, he has 2 kids. In fact I sold him that boat he was in. Good man, good family. But I have not read anywhere that said how fast the driver was going. Reality it does not take a very fast speed to have a situation like this. I think a Q Beam is an excellent idea that can get the oncoming boaters attention. I have been on this lake at night as well as others. this lake is tough to navigate at night due to all the lights coming from the shoreline. The lights play tricks on you. Heck 2 months earlier a guy ran into a bulk head at the same spot could not tell what was the shoreline.
Bryan McDonough
2023 Nitro Z21 XL
Nitro Team
Hi Mike.
This is just so dang horrible for everybody involved
Texas does have a speed limit on the water. It is up to law enforcement, judge and jury to decide if you were operating at greater than is reasonable or prudent. If drinking, the Conroe driver would be going to jail. Doing the same stupid act while sober is excused as an accident.
Operate at a Safe Speed
Although there are no numerical speed limits on the water, citations may be issued for excessive speed or reckless operation. Use common sense, and operate at a safe speed at all times — especially in crowded areas.
Excessive speed is a rate of speed greater than is reasonable or prudent without regard for conditions and hazards or greater than will permit a person to bring the boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
P01135809
Reality is that 90% of laws are necessary due to 10% of the population.
Just the way it is.....
You Don't Know what you Don't Know until you Know.
1984 Champion 201/Yamaha 175
1986 Ranger 390v/Yamaha 200
2002 Viper Cobra Coosa 216/Mercury 225EFI
2002 ProSports ProKat 2200/Twin Yamaha 150HPDIs
So tragic..
It all boils down to not going to fast for the conditions.
In most boats 15 mph will have your bow up high enough that you can't see over it.
The slowest you can run on plane should be fast enough when conditions warrant.
Same thought occurred to me. It's a trade off. On plane, you can see in front of you better than when not on plane, in most boats, but you by default have to be moving faster.
I don't think there is a great solution. If going slow because of conditions, such as at night on a lake with a ton of shore lights, severely hinders what you can see out in front of you, is that really better than going faster so that you can see out in front? If you are going slow and have a wreck the chances of injury or death may be reduced, but if your odds of having a wreck are greater because you can't see whats in front of you, is that better? When there is no good option, sometimes is might be better to avoid the situation entirely.
I'm not criticizing the folks who have suffered a huge, life changing tragedy at all, just trouble shooting. Maybe on lakes with lots of shore lights, it would be wise to have more conspicuous lighting on the boat, especially if you are not underway and are in an area with a lot of boat traffic. If you can't control what the people under way are doing, there aren't many choices besides making yourself more conspicuous or staying off the water I suppose. It's like trying to avoid idiots that text and drive, damned next to impossible.
Kevin | 2000 Champion 191 | 2000 Yamaha OX66 200hp
I've been on Conroe at night. The bulkheads on the south end of the lake can still make the lake rough at night. In addition to all of the boat docks, houses, and the 2 small islands, it can get dicey. Add in the traffic of an evening tournament, and it is downright insane. There is a lot of traffic on that lake, I've almost hit or been hit a time or two. I hate to see stuff like this happen to anybody. All involved were just out there enjoying some time on the water. It is an unfortunate reminder that even though you have GPS to tell you where to drive, it doesn't account for other boaters, so taking your time to get somewhere is more critical. Maybe some day, all this technology for collision avoidance will be put on boats to warn them of other boaters while under way???... Until then a healthy amount of caution and use of your own eyes is still the most important thing when driving a boat...
This is making the argument for the forward looking night vision camera that Charger is offering on the new 210. I think it works out to 100 yards? It may save lives.
Last edited by vicsservice; 07-18-2017 at 06:42 PM. Reason: not needed
If the logic of a speed limit was the answer. There would not be nearly as many vehicle fatalities on the roads. It boils down to conditions. I am saddened by all the comments blaming the pilot of the other boat. Just because he was in a tournament and going to weigh in does not mean he was wide ass open and driving carelessly. This gentleman absolutely did not intend to kill to people and orphan two children, and to assume his thought process was my weigh in is more important than anybody else is ridiculous.
P01135809
No, then it would be a decision of his to operate a vessel on a public waterway while being legally intoxicated. The result is the same. A very unfortunate event happened. The difference would be NOT making a poor decision to be impaired and contributing to the likely hood of impaired vision or slowed response. People sit back and blame and what if but don't take in to consideration this poor bastard has to live with the fact and probably would rather it be him.
Your statement is so true... I think the two that were killed had two children and that is beyond horrible to be orphaned that way. But I also feel very bad for the driver and passenger of the other boat. They are probably great folks who made a mistake. Trying to live with that kind of guilt would be very hard.
"It's even, but it ain't settled. Let's settle it." Fast Eddie
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