You think the rowers are bad up around ClarksBridge now, just wait. They are pushing the Lanier Rowing Club as the winter/spring training MECCA for colleage rowing teams.

This year there are 15 teams and 750 rowers, up %50 from last year. The goal is to get 60 teams and 3000 rowers.

See attached AJC article.

Lake Lanier Rowing Club

I think the anglers are going to have to moblize and address this, as we all know how the rowers are and how they run over our lines, etc.

Great! Last summer, my biggest catch was a sailboat that failed to give way. I was stopped, and down-lining, using the TM just to stay still (was on top of fish!). At first, I wasn't sure which boat was the stand-on vessel, and which was the give-way vessel, given that the sail boat was wind powered. As best I can tell from http://www.boat-ed.com/ga/index.htm, I was the stand-on, since I was not under way (correct me if I'm wrong). The sailboat was quite quickly coming right for me, so I had to hit the rabbit on the co-pilot, which put my (down) lines behind me. I got all but the hook and bait back, after quite a battle... pulled drag like crazy... thought I might get spooled. At least it was my line that got nailed instead of my boat. We caught 2 stripes there that day, too.

My second biggest catch last year was a kayak that decided to take a shortcut right between my boat and a bright orange Water-Bugz planer board. What will this year hold? Perhaps a new personal best.

Both times, all involved parties kept their cool, and only kind words were exchanged... that's the way these things should go, if they have to go at all. I've never seen cursing and finger-waving help.

Thanks for the heads-up, Mike.

From the USCG navigation rules page.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm

If you are a vessel fishing you have the right of way before a sailboat. This applies whether he is under sail or under power (a sailboat underway not using wind power is considered a power boat by regulation.)

By the way you are considered underway as long as you are not anchored or disabled.

Of course if the other guy doesn't know the rules or chooses to ignore you, you'd better give way



Except where Rules 9, 10, and 13 otherwise require:

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
a vessel not under command;
a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
a vessel engaged in fishing;
a sailing vessel.

(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
a vessel not under command;
a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
a vessel engaged in fishing.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:
a vessel not under command;
a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

Everytime I think of a sailboat out of control, I think of "Boats and Ho's" off Step Brothers.

Wow 3000 rowers! I almost got torpedoed by 2 women rowers 2 years ago. I couldn't believe she did see me. I had to yell and scared the crap out of her.

Jim you're right it doesn't matter what the rules state too many boaters on Lanier are clueless to the rules. Just be safe and get out out of the way.

What a topic "stupid boating stunts people have seen on Lanier". It would go on for days.

Just in case you're interested. A vessel being rowed is also considered a powerboat so the right-of-way rules of the road are the same as if 2 powerboats were in proximity of one another. i.e. If you're fishing (lines in the water)you have the right-of-way. The only exception is if it is one of those 8-man shells over 20 meters in length. Then they are considered RAM (restricted ability to manuever) and they would have the right-of-way.

They don't bother me if they have their bikini's on.

Jim, I cannot believe you remember all that stuff from Capt class. I am impressed, even if you had to look it up as a refresher!

Bring the beads Lil Bill, Bring the beads!

Gimme another 6 months, I'll forget everything. Lately I can't remember what I had for lunch. Didn't remember the row boat part at all, had to look that up.

I try to stay away from sailboats.......they don't have brakes!
One funny occurrence was one row boat rammed another row boat while the 3rd row boat was ramming my planer board.

I do both. Fishing from a boat and rowing my kayak. I've been swamped too many time from boaters (yes bass and striper fishing boat too) passing by from their wake. From that perspective, I can see that all sides can be at fault. My opinion is that if we treat everyone like we want to be treated and see the lake as a PUBLIC lake and not our private personal playground and everyone has the right to use it for recreational use then there shouldn't be any conflict. Plus we don't need to get into any pissing match - that's our drinking water!

That's right... we should respect each other out there, and I think most of us do. That level of respect goes beyond just following the rules/laws. I'm in no hurry most of the time, but I do like to go 35mph from spot to spot. I just try to be considerate about it, even though my boat's wake isn't much compared to some.

With that being said, if you're not in a no wake zone, there will be wakes. Sometimes BIG wakes. Nothing wrong with that... as was said, those folks are entitled to the same level of use as everyone else.

I think one key is that folks should choose their locations wisely. To take it to extremes, don't swim out in the middle of the lake, and don't run a cigar boat WOT right next to the banks in the backs of creeks.

I started fishing Lanier from a 12' jon, and quickly learned that out in the great wide open was not the place for me. Had to beach it and completely turn it over once, to get the water out... it was kinda funny. I didn't even consider that the boats causing those waves were at fault -- they weren't. Instead, I installed a bilge pump and stayed in the creeks for the most part. Then, I got a bigger boat.

Now, I'm wondering what the law says about relieving yourself in the lake. Uh-Oh.

Charles, that was well said! I was coming out of a noarrow creek last summer at 7:00am and there was a guy swimming right in the middle of a narrow cut that I am coming throgh. Well I saw him in plenty of time, but here is the deal. If you are stupid enough to swim in that dangerous of a situation, who care who is at fault he is dead!!!

Kinda like walking across the street where pedestrians have the right of way. You can bet your butt if its me I am looking out for my life. Not just walking across not even looking because the laws says they can. When a MACK TRUCK HITS THEM again what does it matter who is a fault.

We must use common sense and not do totally stupid things.

Dan, Like my avatar says " Common sense is not so Common".....

10/4 on that one good buddy!!!

I have been trying to get in touch with USCOE, Lanier Canoe & Kayak and DNR LE. I heard a report about the rowers rowing after dark last night with no lights so be careful if you go up.

Thanks for the warning Bill. It would be my luck to run one of the idiots over at night with no lights on their yak.

Just for the record.... other than Jim Picken who heads up Lanier Rowing Club NO ONE and I mean NO ONE has returned a call....not USCOE, DNR or the Exec. Dir of Lanier Canoe & Kayak. Very disapointing!!

Sounds like cadidates for the Darwin awards. They can't say they haven't been warned.

We ought to put something in writing in case one of us winds up in court. Even though they're in the wrong it won't stop someone from trying to blame the power boaters.

OK....I finally heard back from the other club and I now have a list of events. I am scheduled to make their board meeting on Tuesday either in person or via Skype. I will keep everyone posted....

I tried to cut and paste but that didn't work too good. At least you will have the dates. The dates the ramps at Clarks Bridge will be closed are May 15, July 10, ***Sept 11*** (***note this is the same day as Lanier Striper Club Tournament***, Oct. 24.

Lanier '96 Olympic Venue Joint Calendar for 2010
As of 1/9/2010 Start Finish Area of Lake or # of Course Park Boat ramp Boat traffic Boat traffic Crossing
Major Activities and Permitted Events Date Date Time Location People Installed used closed? warning escort Guard
C/K Polar Bear Swim 1/1/2010 1/1/2010 2:00 p.m. Behind Boathouse 1000 No Pking N No No No
Row Polar Bear Row 1/1/2010 1/1/2010 10:00 a.m. Tower Side 60 No Pking N No No No
Row Rock and Row Ergatta 1/30/2010 1/30/2010 9:00 a.m. Boathouse 150 No Pking N No No No
Row SERCS (Southeast Regional Collegiate Sprints) 3/6/2010 3/6/2010 all day Olympic Course 600 Yes Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Spring Forward 5K Benefit Run 3/13 or 14/2010 3/13/ or 14 2010 Park and Plaza No Pking N No No Yes
C/K Lula Bridge Race 3/20/2010 3/20/2010 8:00 a.m. Olympic Course 100 Buoys Pking N Yes No No
Row John Hunter Regatta 3/27/2010 3/28/2010 all day Olympic Course 2000 Olympic Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Spring Richardson Racing League Fun Race 5/1/2010 5/1/2010 10 a.m. Behind Boathouse 200 Club Pking N Yes Yes No
C/K Southern Invitational 5/8/2010 5/8/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 100 Club Pking N Yes No No
Rental BGCHC Duck Derby 5/15/2010 5/15/2010 8 a.m. Park Area 1000 Swim Line Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Spring Richardson Racing League Fungatta 5/15/2010 5/15/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 250 Club Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Archdiocese of Atlanta Mass and Dragonboat event 5/16/2010 5/16/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 No Pking N No No No
C/K Youth Dragon Boat Challenge & LDRS #1 5/22/2010 5/22/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 No Pking N No No No
C/K Dragon Boat 10K & LDRS # 2 6/26/2010 6/26/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 No Pking N No No No
Row Lanier Summer Sprints 7/10/2010 7/10/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 500 Olympic Pking Yes Yes Yes
C/K LDRS Finals 8/28/2010 8/26/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 Olympic Pking N No No No
C/K Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 9/11/2010 9/11/2010 all day Olympic Course 5000 Club Pking Yes Yes No Yes
C/K Fall Richardson Racing League Fun Race 9/18/2010 9/18/2010 10 a.m. Behind Boathouse 200 No Pking N Yes Yes No
Row Taste of Gainesville 9/25/2010 9/25/2010 6 p.m. Tower Side 2000 No Pking N No No No
C/K Fall Richardson Racing League Fungatta 10/2/2010 10/2/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 Club Pking N Yes Yes Yes
Row Head of Lanier 10/23/2010 10/24/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 5000 Club Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Halloween Howl 10/30/2010 10/30/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 60 Club Pking N Yes No No

Thanks Bill.

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Part of the problem with the rowing club is that they spread out all the way across the lake in areas north of the American Legion. And they are stretched out for long distances. If you slow down to no wake it can take a long time to get past them. If they would stay on one side or the other you could run up the other side with no problems. Another issue is that I have seen them out at dusk or at daybreak with no lights. I was coming back down river at dusk and there were two kayaks way up river in all the S curves above Clark's Bridge. Just barely saw them before I was right on them.

I never heard another word from either of the rowing clubs....Never a single word or returned call from the DNR LE or USACOE.....very disapointing!!!!!

I guess the schedule that was posted is about as good as it is going to get......

I have been going up past Clarks bridge at night and there are these little markers in the water all over the place that you will run all over if you arent careful. They ought to get those things up at night.