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Name:	DSCR -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/1/2008 10:51:21 AM

Now that I am cooled off, I share this with ya'll, primarily to vent, but also as a reminder to watch out for idiots.

As you know, Sunday started out "iffy" and was windy and rough all day. I turned out pretty nice, but still windy and rough. We mostly cleaned and cooked, waiting for the small crowd to gather.

We had pretty much decided to not go out, but some friends from Atlanta showed up, and we hated to send them home without a ride. Plus, I figured that sometimes folks need to get what they asked for, even if it is windy and rough.

So, I guess around 5'ish, before the storm passed from the east, we set out to ride to the rock and back.

Our place is on the North End, part of my view is Grave Yard Island. We head South, pass between Young's Is. and the little one. Still lots of folks out, and lots headed North from the Rock area. We ease along about 30 mph or so, its's pretty rough from wind and wake. No issues.

We make the turn at the Ridge and the port turn in front of Russell successfully and without incident. We finally arrive at the Rock to show our guests what some folks do. The area is still crowded, but clearing. The wind pushes us South. We watch a few jumps and back out to leave. The ride was the point.

As we head back North, it is crowded and we are following a loaded "Ski Tique". We keep our distance, I could pass but what's the hurry. We are going at slow plane, maybe 15 to 20 mph. To our starboard is a short, tall cruiser with top controls, I don't know what to call that style of boat. The "Tique and I are passing to port with plenty of room as the cruiser slows.

In my mirror, I see a hull flash from starboard to port. The guy comes from the cruiser's starboard, cuts right behind and across my wake, hauling *ss, way too fast for conditions, traffic and his almost overloaded condition. He swings out to port and could have easily passed me and the Tique to port, there was room. But NOOO, this guy could only drive in straight lines and I see him steer to starboard, back toward us. He is WFO, and cuts starboard between me and the Tique. I see him coming and roll off throttle. Again, I am not crowding the Tique, but there ain't room for "Idiot" to safely do this. He blasts through us all and heads North in a straight line, not caring who is in the way.

In the moment, I didn't catch the boat brand, but I think it was a big runabout. If it was not overloaded, it was close. There must have been 12 or 15 people on board. It had a large motor to be able to create that much havoc, in those conditions and loaded like it was. The idiot endangered the 8 folks in my boat(rated for 12), the loaded "Ski Tique", and the tall cruiser, all in about 30 or 40 seconds. God knows how many others had to give way to avoid a near miss with this idiot.

As we headed north, the Tique turned into Blue Creek and I followed the channel and didn't turn port by the ridge. The Idiot turned port by the Ridge. Staying in the channel is calmer and quicker than the western route, so I knew I would catch him and I was only running 35 to 40 mph. Not too fast for conditions in my boat.

As I came around the island, staying in the channel, yup, there he was still booking north, too fast and blowing spray 25 feet in the air as he hit rough water. I fell in behind him and used his wake to close the gap. I followed him past Pleasure point and he made the turn into Sandy Creek.

I was HOTT and really wanted an altercation, or at least to follow him to his port of call, but I had kids on the boat and headed in to avoid the potential ugliness. This was one of the greatest acts of restraint I have ever performed. Now, I am a laid back fellow, and don't pick fights, but if you endanger me or mine, watch your back.

I don't know if this Idiot has a place on the lake, or was visiting, but watch for an idiot who cares not about courtesy, safety or rules of the road.

This Idiot happened to be of African American descent, was driving a large runabout with black on the side, and had the boat loaded with his large entourage. He was driving into Sandy Creek at prox 5:30 to 6:00 on Sunday Aug 31.

I doubt this Idiot is on this or any forum, the Idiots usually aren't. But if you do happen to be on here "sir", you are the worst excuse for a boat driver I have ever seen. You need to be BANNED from all waterways and probably the roads. If you haven't killed anyone yet, you will.

There, vent over.

Name:	seahunt96 -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/1/2008 11:55:49 AM

Amen, I have seen this boat several times. Apparently this boat has only one
speed, full throttle. It must be stuck there. Never any thought for other boaters.
I hope the MP will stop him and educate him about boating.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Black boat
Date:	9/1/2008 12:12:52 PM

I believe that boat is a 24', maybe a 26', Sea Ray. Almost lost my floater to that idiot. He carries a lot of very well fed friends and seems to relish intimidating us "white folks". Hope the MP's read your account.

Name:	Violator -	Reply
Subject:	Black boat
Date:	9/1/2008 1:11:03 PM

I am fairly certain "idiot" is not a specific color. I am sure he doesnt aim to intimidate us "white folks", but simply cannot operate that boat and needs to be informed of the correct way to drive it before he does hurt someone. I can say however, that I have seen many of "us white folk" out there that drive pretty close to "idiot" as well.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	The boat is black.
Date:	9/1/2008 1:22:36 PM

When a boat driver turns a boat toward your dock with you watching him and slows to create as large a wake as possible, then makes a second pass laughing, that is called intimidation in my book. Have you ever seen this boat and driver?

Name:	LakeDawg -	Reply
Subject:	The boat is black.
Date:	9/1/2008 2:05:17 PM

Sounds like a typical democrat.

Name:	UncleSam -	Reply
Subject:	The boat is black.
Date:	9/1/2008 5:54:24 PM

I don't think anyone had a problem with your definition of intimidation. But, your post made it sound like you were saying that this person ("idiot" is a good description) was doing what he was doing BECAUSE he was black and the other boaters were white.

As others have stated, idiots come in all shapes and colors. This one happens to be black; many others are white.

I'm hoping you didn't mean to come across as racist.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	The boat is black.
Date:	9/1/2008 6:16:41 PM

What I experienced I considered to be an act of racism by the boat driver. Don't forget that racism flows both ways. I only reported the racism; please don't try to twist it around.

Have you seen this boat and driver?

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/1/2008 8:09:56 PM

I live in Sandy Creek and the boat and driver don't ring a bell. If I see them I may stop by, share a beer and let them know they are the talk of the forum. Sometimes folks are just plain ignorant of how their actions impact others. Matbe a friendly person letting them know that a proper distance and some boating courtesy go a long way.

Name:	longtimer -	Reply
Subject:	The boat is black.
Date:	9/2/2008 1:34:44 AM

Just because he is black and you are not does not make him a racist, no more than it would make you a racist if you happened to drive like an idiot around black boaters.

Unless, of course, you drove like that BECAUSE they were black; that WOULD be racist.

Until you know for certain that this moron does that to whites only, and to whites because they are white, you are assuming way too much.

Name:	Council Roc Doc -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/2/2008 10:24:28 AM

I have seen this boat as well. The MP had him pulled over earlier this summer after he had passed us using dangerous speed going south through the narrow and busy channel that connects the north channel and the east-west channel. Seems he didn't learn a hard enough lesson.....

Name:	yellowcat -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/3/2008 5:10:15 PM

i live in sandy creek area and saw that boat monday afternoon coming through the islands at smith mountain....the boat was headed west and we were headed east...we saw him come around the island full throttle taking up the entire channel we had to throttle down b/c we were not sure what he was doing...he needs some boating lessons for sure... along with plenty of other people on the lake.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/3/2008 10:36:57 PM

I have not run across him in the narrows - Sandy Creek or otherwise – but do know this guy does not plow. He uses a throttle switch, single pole, double throw, position one is idle speed, position two is WFO. At least our pier does not get battered when he passes by. Perhaps my thoughts will change if he and I are boat to boat, until then however…

Name:	DSCR -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/4/2008 12:57:36 AM

I can assure you, when he puts your family, friends and boat in danger while driving like an Idiot, your thoughts and opinion WILL change.

This Idiot has an *$$ whipping coming. I hope he gets it before he kills someone. And I hope I am there to see it.

I tried to be as descriptive as possible when describing the incident. My description did not even come close to giving an adequate picture of the level of Idiocy, Stupidity and Danger that this Idiot imparts with his "driving".

Name:	Landlocked -	Reply
Subject:	Near Miss Sunday 8/31
Date:	9/4/2008 8:25:49 AM

This dude needs a couple of well placed holes below the water line.

Name:	ppointman -	Reply
Subject:	The boat is black.
Date:	9/7/2008 12:28:48 AM

If the guy and his buds need help with learning how to operate the boat send them down around the Union Boat Ramp. There are some community minded guys in that area that would be glad to instruct him on proper boat handling. Probably help him learn to swim as well.

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