Uncle Joe’s Real Rules of the Nautical Road
Distilled from years of rowing on Lake Otsego and San Francisco Bay
1. Stay Alert: Listen While You Row
- No earbuds – you need to hear motors, swimmers, or unusual sounds from any direction.
- Stay aware of your surroundings both ahead of the boat and behind your back.
2. Be Seen: Wear Bright Colors & Use a Mirror
- Bright, high-visibility clothing helps others see you.
- Use a rowing mirror adjusted to show just the edge of your ear – practice until it’s natural.
- Your mirror helps you spot boats, logs, or obstacles behind you while rowing.
3. Powerboats: Always Assume They Don’t See You
- Many powerboat operators are inexperienced. Stay cautious.
- Water-skiers and jet skiers may reverse suddenly without warning.
- Fishermen trolling are quiet and dislike changing course – give them space.
4. Sailboats: Expect the Unexpected
- Sailors often believe they always have the right of way – don’t rely on them to avoid you.
- Every sailboat behaves differently – treat them as unpredictable and stay clear.
5. Handling Wakes: Stay Dry and Safe
- Watch boats that make waves and track the wakes.
- Turn to meet wakes head-on or stern-on – avoid taking them broadside.
- A 45-degree angle also helps if you can’t square up in time.
- Staying alert helps ensure drier, safer rows.
6. Swimmers: Always Watch for People in the Water
- Be especially vigilant near shorelines and popular swim spots like Ferry Spring.
7. When in Doubt: Stop, Wave, or Head to Shore
- If unsure, stop rowing and wave your arms (wearing bright colors helps).
- Move towards the shallows if needed – powerboats typically avoid shallow water.
Always Maneuver to Avoid
As the formal Rules of the Road state:
“The vessel that can avoid a collision, must.”
Safety first. Always.
