sailboat vs fishing boat right of way

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• Email Newsletters
• Boat of the Year
• 2024 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide
• 2024 Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide
• Cruising Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Fishing Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• Water Sports
• Boat Walkthroughs
• What To Look For
• Watersports Favorites Spring 2022
• Boating Lab
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Right-of-Way Rules for Boaters

• By Jeff Hemmel
• April 20, 2022

There is no right of way on the water. Every boater is obligated to do what is required to avoid collision. In any meeting of boats, one is deemed the stand-on vessel and the other the give-way vessel. The rules of the road explain the situation more completely and can be learned in a boating safety course. This article serves as a refresher and a reminder on how to handle some common meeting scenarios.

While more common in a channel or narrow pass, head-to-head meetings can happen anywhere on the water. When encountering an oncoming boat head-on, the rule is simple: Each boat is a give-way or burdened vessel and should stay to its right, altering course to starboard and allowing each craft to pass to the port (left) side of the other boat.

If the other boat is to your starboard (right), it’s considered the stand-on or privileged vessel and is obligated to maintain course and speed. Your boat is the give-way vessel and is obligated to slow or alter course to pass behind it, ideally. If the boat intersecting your path is to port (left), it’s the give-way vessel. It’s obligated to yield while you’re obligated to maintain course and speed.

When overtaking another boat, keep in mind that the other boat is the stand-on vessel and yours is the give-way vessel. Your first move? Determine to which side of that craft is the safest to pass. Consider oncoming traffic, waterway markers, obstacles, or even bends in the channel. Once you have a clear path with good forward visibility, increase your speed enough so that you can safely overtake the other vessel, giving the craft a wide berth.

Encountering Kayaks, Sailboats, Etc.

Some vessels will almost always be the stand-on boat, and you must yield no matter the scenario, unless doing so will create an unsafe situation. Typically, this list includes paddlecraft and sailboats not under power, but it also includes larger craft, like ships or freighters. Realize these craft are not as maneuverable as most powerboats and, as such, the powerboat is deemed the give-way vessel.

Read Next: Boating Navigation Basics

When the Other Guy Doesn’t Know the Rules

No matter if you are the stand-on or give-way vessel, always be prepared in case the other boater doesn’t respond as you expect. Operate defensively, and be ready to yield, slow speed or change course to avoid any potentially dangerous situation. A good tip? Give other boaters plenty of space—100 feet or more—to allow enough time and distance to properly react and avoid an accident.

Know Your Colors

Do you know how to handle these scenarios at night, when you can’t see another boat, let alone determine its direction? Know your colors. Boats are required to display a green light to starboard (right) and a red light to port (left) at their bow, and most boats must display a single all-around white light at the stern. This combination of lights will help you determine which direction a boat is moving and if it’s likely to cross your path.

• More: Boating Safety , How-To , May 2022 , Seamanship

More How To

Grady-White Pulls off Its Largest Raft-up Ever in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Installing Retractable Transom Straps

How to Choose a Trailer Winch

Best Non Skid Boat Deck Paint

Boat Test: 2024 Brabus Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top

Inflatable Water Mats for Boaters

Boat Test: 2024 Monterey Elite 30

Boat Test: 2024 Fjord 39 XP

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Boating Firecrown . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

BOATING KNOWLEDGE BASE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BOATING

Select Your Country

Right-of-Way

Boating collision regulations.

An important part of being a smart boater is realizing your right-of-way when you’re out on the water. The  Collision Regulations  govern the rules that prevent collisions on oceans and inland waterways. These rules apply to all vessels and to all waters in Canada. The  Collision Regulations  govern the following:

• Right-of-way rules
• Look-out rules

Boater Responsibilities

As a Canadian boater, ‘you must use all available means, appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions, to make a full appraisal of navigation situations and determine if the risk of collision exists.’ This means that you must know, understand and abide by Canada’s navigation rules at all times. You must also use good judgment and remain alert in case the operators of other boats are not abiding by the navigation rules. Don’t presume the actions of others and always proceed with caution.

Determining Right-of-Way

Before determining your right-of-way, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with important right-of-way terminology:

Stand-on craft: Boats with the right-of-way are called ‘stand-on craft’. Stand-on craft are able to maintain speed and direction when approaching other vessels.

Give-way craft: Boats that do not have the right-of-way are called ‘give-way craft’. Give-way craft must take early action to steer clear of stand-on craft, altering speed and direction to avoid a collision.

Several factors determine which craft has the right-of-way:

• The type of craft you’re operating
• The type of craft you’re approaching
• The position and direction from which other craft are approaching
• The type of waterway you’re on

Type of Boat

The type of watercraft determines which operator has the right-of-way:

• Emergency craft always have the right-of-way and all pleasure craft operators should steer clear and yield to emergency craft
• Never pass between a tug and its tow (it may be using a submerged towline)
• Keep clear of docked ferries, ferries in transit and cable ferries which operate with a submerged tow cable from the bow and stern (listen for large ship horns blasting one prolonged blast, which indicates departing a dock)
• Both powerboats and sailboats must take early and substantial action to keep clear of vessels engaged in fishing activities (those vessels operating with fishing nets and trawls)
• Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of any vessel that is not under command
• Non-powered craft including sailboats, canoes, paddleboats, sailboards and racing shells generally have the right-of-way over power-driven pleasure craft
• All motorized boats and sailboats under 20 m in length must steer clear of larger, less maneuverable vessels
• Sport fishing boats and waterski boats are considered maneuverable craft and operators of these must follow the same rules as all pleasure boats

Approaching Non-Powered Boats

When approaching a non-powered craft, such as a sailboat or canoe, you are the give-way craft and do not have the right-of-way. You must take early and substantial action to keep clear of non-powered craft. You should alter your speed and course, and approach non-powered craft with caution.

Approaching Power-Driven Boats

Position & direction.

Power-driven vessels approaching each other establish right-of-way by determining each boat’s position relative to the other. To properly understand right-of-way, you must be able to recognize the ‘sectors’ of navigation, including the port sector, starboard sector and stern sector. You should reference these sectors relative to other boat traffic in order to determine who has the right-of-way .

Operating Rules – Keeping it Simple

Port: If a power-driven boat approaches your boat from the port sector, maintain your course and speed with caution. You are the stand-on craft. Starboard: If any vessel approaches your boat from the starboard sector, you must keep out of its way. You are the give-way craft. Stern: If any vessel approaches your boat from the stern (from behind your boat) you should maintain your speed and course with caution. You are the stand-on craft.

The Danger Zone–GiveWay Zone

Your starboard sector (the sector defined by your green starboard sidelight) is the ‘Danger’ or Give-Way Zone. When another boater sees your green light, he or she has the right-of-way. In this situation you will see the port side of the other boat and its red port sidelight. You must take early and substantial action to avoid a collision.

Who Has the Right of Way When Sailing?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Before you can understand who has the right of way when sailing, it is important that you understand who creates the regulations on the water. Multiple bodies have created sailing laws, and safety directives involve sailing ships. International and U.S. based organizations have created a mostly cohesive book of law regarding the use of waterways. This includes which ship has the right of way when sailing. Each country will have its own set of local laws, but there are internationally accepted "rules of the road".

In the context of laws regarding ships, a sailboat is one that is propelled solely by wind power. Even if that ship has a motor, if it is not on and in gear, then it is considered a sailboat. When your boat's engine is on and in gear, it is regarded as a powered boat.

Avoiding a collision is more than just determining the right of way; you also need to be able to understand the placement of the other ship in relation to your own. Perspective can be challenging on the water, where there are not a lot of landmarks to help you figure out if you are on a collision encounter or not. Here are several ways to figure out if you are going to avoid or intercept the other boat.

The best tool is your compass. If you take a bearing of the other ship and then a short time later take another bearing, then there should be a discrepancy. If not, then you are on a collision course. You can also line up the other boat with an object onshore if it is within sight to determine if there is any change in their movement direction. Regardless of which ship has the right of way, if the other ship should be the one moving and it is not, then you must take evasive action.

Table of contents

International Laws

These laws are in effect on the high seas and waters connected to them for any vessel that floats. There are laws pertaining to all aspects of sailing and the type of boat. If you intend to sail across high seas, then you will want to familiarize yourself with them.

Maritime Law

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "Maritime law, known as admiralty law, or admiralty, the body of rules that determines the actions of ships and shipping." This is different from the International Laws of the Sea in some cases.

Local and Inshore Laws

If you are in America, then it is a good idea to have a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules aboard your boat. You should also be aware of the basics of all aspects of sailing law before you begin. There are also digital copies you can keep on a device. There are specific regulations regarding the way boats interact on Western Rivers, the Great Lakes, and other inland bodies of water within North America. The United States Government Printing Office is responsible for the Navigation Rules of the Road, which you legally need to have a copy of on your boat if the vessel is over 39.4 feet long.

Regulations on Right of Way Based on Type of Boats Involved

We are only going to look at three scenarios for sailing right of way. However, other types of boats will have their own rules and regulations in place. If you need to know more, you can read about them on the website for the National Maritime College . Below we have broken down the regulations for who should be the one to turn concerning sailboats in several instances.

Two Sailboats Interacting

The following steps are the general rules for the right of way when two sailboats are involved.

• Whichever boat has the wind from the direction of the starboard rail has the right of way.
• If both ships have wind coming from the same direction, then the one downwind has the right of way.
• If both ships have wind coming from the same direction and one is overtaking the other, then the vessel being passed always has the right of way.

A Sailboat and a Powered Boat Interacting

Below are standard rules of engagement for powered vehicles against sailboats. There may be different laws in your local area. Check before sailing.

• Sailboats have right of way over powerboats in almost all cases. The exception being when the sailboat is overtaking the powerboat and certain unique situations.
• If two boats are crossing, then the one on the starboard side has the right of way. In situations where it is dark, you will be able to see a red light moving across your horizon to the left, and if this remains a constant, then you are on a collision course and should evade.
• During head-on meetings between ships, they must both change their course to starboard to create as much room as possible. In the dark, you will see red and green lights and must change your direction to starboard.
• If you are overtaking another vessel, then they have the right of way. In the dark, you will see a white light to indicate you are approaching the rear of a boat.
• If you are not confident what the other boat is planning to do, then you should slow your ship, change course early, and allow them to see your intention. This is the safest way to stop a potential collision, regardless of who has the right of way.

Regulations Based on Location

There will be a unique set of laws and regulations for the water, depending on where you are located. This is true for almost every country around the world, but we will focus on American and international laws below.

Offshore and International Locations

International Laws of the Sea take over once you reach the high seas. The right of way in this location includes the following.

• Whichever boat has the wind from the direction of the starboard rail has right of way.
• If both ships have wind coming from the same direction, then the one that is downwind has right of way.
• If both ships have wind coming from the same direction and one is overtaking the other, then the boat being passed always has the right of way.

For larger ships meeting smaller ones, the rules are as follows.

• Sailboats must give way to larger vessels.

Maneuverability is all-important when it comes to who needs to give way. There is a list, and the lower down you are on the list, the more leeway must be given because the less maneuverability you will be able to control.

• If a boat is disabled
• If a boat is hard to move (e.g., dredge, barge in tow, etc.)
• If a boat is too large to move quickly (e.g., freighter)
• If a boat is actively fishing (e.g., trawler, other commercial fishing boats, etc.)
• If a boat is being rowed
• If a boat is under sail propulsion
• If a boat is a recreational powerboat

Inland Locations

The following is a section taken directly from the Navigation Amalgamated International and the United States Inland Navigation Rules created and distributed by the United States Coast Guard. You can read the entirety of the document on the United States Coast Guard website.

"The Rules do not grant privileges or rights; they impose responsibilities and require precaution under all conditions and circumstances. Power-driven vessels are to keep out of the way [...] and either give-way [...] or stand-on [...] to vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver, sailing vessels or vessels engaged in fishing, ascending or descending a river [...]. Similarly, all vessels should avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft [...], navigating a narrow channel [...], or traffic separation scheme [...]."

Additional Regulations

You will also want to also read up on the regulations for the Western Rivers and the Great Lakes, depending on where you will be sailing.

Collision Avoidance Tactics

There are several things that you should be doing any time you are on the water, which will make a collision with another ship less likely. They include the following.

• Be aware of the rules for your ship and location. The weather conditions and sight ability does not come into play in determining who is given right of way.
• The greatest cause of accidents is not having a look-out. It is expected that all sailboats will have someone looking and listening at all times for the presence of other boats in the area.
• Traveling at a speed that is within safety parameters will help to alleviate some of the risks of collision. You should be taking every aspect of your location and ship condition into account when determining the safest speed of travel.
• Take action the moment you see the other ship to avoid giving out wrong signals or creating an instance of close-call avoidance. The sooner you take the necessary effort to prevent the other boat, the safer everyone will be.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

How to Sail

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

How To Choose The Right Sailing Instructor

August 16, 2023

How To Sail From California To Tahiti

July 4, 2023

How To Tow A Skier Behind A Boat

May 24, 2023

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

Who Has The Right of Way?

Open models.

Starting at $445,860

Starting at $340,690

Starting at $290,280

Starting at $236,570

Starting at $165,355

Starting at $127,705

Starting at $93,290

NEW Open 212

Starting at $85,970

Heritage Models

Heritage 261

Starting at $166,800

Heritage 231

Starting at $96,975

Masters Models

Masters 267

Starting at $161,065

Masters 267OE

Masters 247

Starting at $103,035

Masters 247OE

NEW Masters 227

Starting at $86,970

Have you seen videos on the internet of near misses on the water? Maybe you're thinking how do I avoid something like that on the water. Here's a quick guide to help you understand who has the right of way while boating.

I have been asked this question a lot, when out on the water who has the right of way? Well, there are a few factors that need to be considered but I hope to answer most of these questions in this Blog. When I was in School for my Captains License my instructor told me to remember 2 things to help you remember for your test. The first one is S.L.O.W. and the second one is New Reals Catch Fish So Purchase Some Often . Those give you pecking order on who has right of way.

We will start with S.L.O.W S tand on Vessel- this vessel will maintain course and speed to overtake the Give-way Vessel who’s required to keep clear of Stand-on vessel and make obvious course changes and communicate with the Stand-on Vessel. Remember Starboard boat is the Stand-on and Port boat is the Give-way.

L eeward over Windward- If 2 sailboats are on the same tack the Windward vessel will Give-way to the Leeward vessel.

O vertaken over Overtaking- When approaching another vessel form clear astern the boat that is moving faster will be the Give-way vessel and the boat being overtaken will be the Stand-on vessel and required to maintain course and speed.

W orking over Leisure. This is pretty self-explaining. If a vessel is working, IE fishing, towing, pilot, etc.. They will have right of way over a pleasure boat.

So that is an easy way of remembering who has the right of way for most situations. Now I will explain what vessel has right of way over another vessel. This is where New Reals Catch Fish So Purchase Often comes in handy.

N .U.C. – Not Under Command. This is a vessel with major problems that has lost the ability to maneuver in a safe manner.

R AM – Restricted in its Ability To Maneuver. This is a vessel that can maneuver do to the nature of work like dredging or surveying.

C BD- Constrained By Draft. This is a vessel that may need to travel down the center of a channel due to water depth and the draft of the vessel.

F ishing Vessel – this is a commercial fishing boat with nets, lines, or trawls restricting its ability to maneuver. This does not include trolling.

S ailboat – A boat that is being powered by sail. If a sailboat is using its engine in any way for navigation it is then considered a power boat.

P ower Vessel. Any vessel that is powered by an engine for propulsion and navigation.

S ea Planes – Not one of the vessels most will encounter but the must give-way to the power boater.

O vertaking Vessel – If you wish to overtake and pass another vessel you must do so when there is zero risk of collision.

I hope this can clear up some of the questions I hear and make everyone a little more knowledgeable on proper boating rules and etiquette. When everyone pays attention to the rules of the road it makes boating more fun and safter. Thanks for reading and enjoy your days on the water.

Do Sail Boats Have the Right of Way?

When it comes to navigating the open waters, understanding who has the right of way is essential for ensuring safety and avoiding collisions. In this article, we will explore whether sailboats have the right of way in various scenarios.

What is the right of way

The right of way refers to the privilege given to a vessel or boat to proceed ahead of others in a given situation. It helps establish a clear hierarchy and guidelines for vessels to follow, reducing the risk of accidents.

Powerboats vs. Sailboats

In general, powerboats tend to have more maneuverability and speed compared to sailboats. However, this does not automatically grant them the right of way in all situations. Sailboats are subject to certain rules that protect their unique characteristics.

Sailboat on Starboard tack

When a sailboat is on a starboard tack, meaning that the wind is coming from its starboard side (right-hand side), it has the right of way over powerboats. Powerboats should yield and alter their course if necessary to avoid a collision.

Sailboat on Port tack

If a sailboat is on a port tack, with the wind coming from its port side (left-hand side), it must yield right of way to powerboats. This means that sailboats must be cautious and give way when encountering powerboats in such situations.

Overtaking another vessel

If a sailboat attempts to overtake another vessel, it becomes the give-way vessel. This means that it must yield and navigate safely around the other boat without impeding its progress.

Narrow channels

In narrow channels or fairways, sailboats are considered less maneuverable compared to power-driven vessels. As a result, powerboats generally have the right of way in these situations.

Exceptions and Special Rules

While the right of way rules mentioned above are generally applicable, there are some exceptions and additional regulations that sailors should be aware of:

• Commercial vessels: Sailboats must always yield to commercial vessels such as large cargo ships and tankers. These vessels have limited maneuverability and require a wider berth.
• Restricted visibility: In foggy or low visibility conditions, sailboats must navigate with caution and follow specific rules to avoid collisions. Sound signals may be used to communicate intentions.
• Racing situations: During sailboat races, participants must adhere to specific racing rules that supersede general right of way regulations.

In conclusion, sailboats do have the right of way in certain situations, such as when on a starboard tack or overtaking another vessel. However, it is important for sailors to understand that there are exceptions and special rules that may influence who has the right of way in specific circumstances. By familiarizing themselves with these guidelines, sailors can navigate safely and enjoy their time on the water without any unnecessary risks.

9 Related Question Answers Found

Do sail boats have right of way, does sail have free shipping, is sail a good stock to buy now, do you need permission to sail around the world, is full sail worth going to, are cruise ships allowed to sail, how safe is it to sail around the world, is it safe to sail around the world, is it safe to sail.

Michael Allen

How To Avoid Collisions While Sailing

Sailing rules of the road when sailboat meets sailboat.

There are only three basic possibilities, and three basic boating rules of the road to follow, when your sailboat approaches another sailboat.

Rule 2: When you are on opposite tacks, the starboard tack boat has the right-of-way.

Rule 3: If you are overtaking the other boat, or it is overtaking you, the boat ahead (the overtaken boat) has the right-of-way.

Figure 8-3 shows the opposite tack rule. The starboard tack boat is the stand-on vessel and has the boating right-of-way.  The port tack boat has to keep clear or give way. Which boat is on port tack? If you said the boat on the right, you are correct.

Figure 8-4 shows two boats involved in the overtaking rule. In this case the boat ahead is the stand-on vessel and has the boating right-of-way. The overtaking boat has to keep clear or give way. Which boat is overtaking and what tack is that boat on? If you said the boat behind is overtaking and is on starboard tack, you are correct.

Note that these boats are sailing downwind, with the wind pushing from behind, and they are on opposite tacks. In the overtaking rule, the difference in tacks is not relevant, unless you are racing. Over many years, a complete set of sailing rules of the road specifically for sailboat racing has been developed and administered by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), but these are not relevant to recreational sailing. If you’re looking to become a pro sailor, check out our Offshore Sailing Certification Courses.

• Doris Colgate

Previous Post Changing Course Downwind

Next post interview with an offshore sailing grad.

Comments are closed.

6338 Presidential Court, #201  Fort Myers, Florida 33919

SPECIALS COURSES

LOCATIONS CONTACT US

ABOUT US SAILING TIPS

OPPORTUNITIES CARREERS

[email protected] Site Map Privacy Policy

© 2024 Offshore Sailing School - Official Site. OffshoreSailing.com is managed by Offshore Sailing School.

• Privacy Policy
• Fast Track to Sailing | Beginner to Advanced in Six Days
• Learn to Sail Certification Courses
• Family Learn to Sail Programs
• Sailing Lessons and Sailing Rides
• Small Sailboat Cruising Course
• Online Learn to Sail Course
• Fast Track to Monohull Cruising
• Fast Track to Catamaran Cruising
• Live Aboard Cruising Courses
• Bareboat Charter Courses
• Fast Track to Boat Handling & Docking
• Ultimate Cruising Course
• Boat Handling & Docking
• Navigation Courses
• Performance Sailing Courses
• Fast Track to Sailboat Racing Courses
• Performance Racing Clinics
• Coastal Passage Making Courses
• Offshore Passage Making Courses
• Celestial Navigation Courses
• Powerboat Courses
• Private Courses
• Docking Refresher Course on a Catamaran or Monohull
• Catamaran Refresher & 114 Endorsement
• IPC Prep With Cruising Certification & Catamaran Endorsement
• Team Building Programs
• Women’s Sail Sip Spa Week in the British Virgin Islands
• Top 10 Tips Learning How to Sail
• Safety and Comfort Aboard
• Sails & Sail Trim
• Steering and Maneuvering
• Handling Spinnakers
• Engine Maintenance
• How to Become a Sailing Instructor
• How to Choose a Sailing School
• Yacht Lease Management Opportunities
• Bookstore New!
• About Sailing
• Cape Coral Marina Village
• Fort Myers Beach
• St. Petersburg
• Captiva Island
• Scrub Island
• St. Lucia & Windward Islands
• Greece Ionian Islands
• Sicily In The Aeolian Islands
• Dubrovnik-Montenegro Flotilla Cruise
• Italy’s Amalfi Coast Flotilla
• Tahiti’s Society Islands
• Team Building
• Testimonials
• News, Specials & Events
• Offshore Sailing School Returns to Captiva Island, Florida
• Sailing – Out & About SWFL
• America’s Cup Endeavor Program Videos
• Growing Up Moorings
• Doris Colgate Sailing Clinic & Cup
• Steve Colgate Inducted Into National Sailing Hall of Fame
• OSS Student Proposes During Course
• Steve Colgate and National Sailing Hall of Fame
• St. Lucia and Windward Islands Flotilla Cruise
• Weathering Unexpected Bad Weather
• A Sailing Adventure He Still Can’t Believe Was Real
• 2016 Croatia Flotilla Cruise Diary
• How We Teach
• Steve & Doris Colgate
• Steve Colgate
• Management Team
• Employment Opportunities
• Our Mission
• Our History
• Alumni Benefits
• Awards & Accolades
• Our Philanthropy
• Certification Levels
• GET STARTED

«  View All Posts

By: Ashley Lizzi on June 7th, 2021

Print/Save as PDF

Who has the Right of Way on a Boat? (Rules of the Water)

Meet Joe, new to the boating scene and proud owner of a brand new  pontoon boat .  Joe has recently moved to a house on the water and is ready to jump on board.  The body of water that Joe has chosen is large and heavily populated, especially on big weekends.

Being in his 50’s, Joe has had a driver’s license for longer than he can remember and a squeaky clean driving record.  Never an accident or a speeding ticket for this guy!  All this to say that Joe feels confident as the captain of his new pontoon boat.

Joe has been driving a car for 30 plus years now and knows just how easy it is to get behind the wheel and go.  He doesn’t feel the need to take a boater’s course or explore the option of  obtaining a boating license  because, again, he’s a top-notch driver.  

If you think this all sounds pretty good so far, we need to talk.  

Just because Joe can drive a car better than most does not mean he’s prepared to operate his pontoon boat safely.  I cannot stress this enough, if you’re in the same boat as Joe, please take the time to educate yourself on navigation rules and boating safety.

There are tons of navigation rules to know, but these are the most important for safe boating.   Here are the main navigation rules that you should know before ever stepping foot behind the helm of a boat. 

What to do When Meeting Another Boat Head-On

When approaching another vessel head-on, you should navigate your course starboard, meaning you will pass each other on the port side.  If you’re unsure of what these terms mean, check out the article on boating terms below.  

An indicator of a head-on meeting at night is if you see both side lights, green and red, of the opposing vessel at the same time.

Related reading:   Top 20 Boating Terms Every Boater Should Know

Which Boat has the Right of Way When Crossing Paths?

When two vessels are in a situation where they are crossing paths, it’s critical to know who has the right of way.  The vessel that has the opposing boat coming up on its starboard side is called the give-way vessel.  The boat coming in from the starboard side is called the stand-on vessel.

The stand-on vessel has the right of way, and it is up to the give-way vessel to maneuver in a way that will avoid a collision.  You will know this at night if you see the red port light crossing from right to left in front of you.  In that case, you are the give-way vessel and should maneuver to avoid collision.

If you see the green starboard light crossing from left to right in front of you, you are the stand-on vessel and should continue your course.  

What Does it Mean to Overtake Another Boat?

To overtake another vessel means to approach the stern of the opposing boat and pass by on either side, continually moving forward.  The boat who is overtaking is the give-way vessel and should maneuver in a way to avoid collision with the stand-on vessel.

If you were to overtake another vessel at night, you would only see the stern light of the stand-on vessel and not the red and green navigation lights.  It is up to the give-way vessel to safely maneuver around the stand-on vessel.  This rule even applies to a vessel that’s under sail. 

Do Vessels Under Sail Have the Right of Way?

Vessels under sail  refer to any boat that is operating without the use of a motor.  Typical boats that operate in this way are sailboats.  

A vessel under sail has the right of way over a boat utilizing a motor.  The exception to this is if the vessel under sail is overtaking a powerboat. 

Operating in a Narrow Channel

When operating your boat in a narrow channel, you must always give way to the passing vessel if they have difficulty maneuvering due to size or there’s a potential they could run aground.  This is typically the case for large vessels that have a more difficult time operating in narrow, shallow spaces.

When entering and exiting small channels such as those found on inland lakes, you should give right away to the boat that is exiting the channel.   On the Great Lakes and Western River system, vessels going downstream are stand-on; vessels going upstream must give way according to  Boat U.S. Foundation .

Know how to Navigate

Once you know the rules of the water, operating a boat is much easier.  Knowing how to navigate is a critical step in educating yourself on boaters safety.  If every boater took the time to learn this information, we’d all be better off on the water.

That said, always keep in mind that just because you know how to navigate, doesn’t mean the other boater does.  Stay vigilant and take care when passing other boats in any situation.  Even if you’re the stand-on boat, it’s critical to be aware that the give-way boat may not know the direction they’re supposed to go.

A safe boater is a happy boater. That's why I strongly suggest taking a course and getting your boating license at any age.  There are a ton of resources online that can help steer you in the right direction for boaters education.  

OTHER HELPFUL ARTICLES:

How to get a Boating License

Pontoon Boat Safety

About Ashley Lizzi

Barletta Content Manager, 9+ years Manufacturer Marketing, Brand Management, Customer Experience, and life-long boater.

• Search forums
• Sailing Anarchy

Right of Way - sail vs. oar/paddle powered vessel

• Thread starter Dirk Vivisect
• Start date Aug 15, 2007

More options

Dirk vivisect.

• Aug 15, 2007

So the COLREGS don't seem too concerned with the R-O-W issue that arises between sail and oar/paddle powered vessels. The hierarchy of R-O-W appears to ignore this situation completely, or maybe I'm missing something obvious. Anyone ever have a collision resulting in an "authority" deciding this issue for them? (ie. a protest committee, insurance adjuster, court judge, etc.) If so, what was the reasoning? I see this topic was discussed a little bit in a recent thread, but with no real resolution, and no reference to a particular COLREG rule or any judgement of a court or insurance adjuster or coroner's inquest or anything: http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index...showtopic=57533 I just discovered that on Saturday in Vancouver, there's going to be a canoe race with about 300 participants, staging in sequential timed heats. This will create a "line-ahead" formation of racing canoes, more or less constantly in place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, strung out along a zig-zag course that will take up the Eastern half of English Bay. The same day will also see the "English Bay Scramble" keelboat race. On hearing that I would be crewing on one of the keelboats, the canoe-race organizer swaggered over to me, and told me that the sailboats better get out of the way of the canoes, as the canoeists took the position that they always had right-of-way over any sailboats. Having seen fleets of them crash through sailboat-race start lines when they're just out practicing, not even racing, I don't doubt that they would take this hard-line position in respect of an actual canoe race . I don't think the position they're taking is actually correct in law (at the very least, it seems R-O-W is unclear), but regardless, if the canoe race organizer is telling me this, then obviously he's going to be telling all the 300 canoe race participants to take the same hard-line position with the sail boats. The big-barking-dog, line-in-the-sand thing, unsupported by any law or authority. I expect that there are likely to be a few ugly incidents on Saturday... hopefully no damage or injury. Glad I'm not driving. Sounds like as much fun as Fireworks Nights.  

Dirk Vivisect said: So the COLREGS don't seem too concerned with the R-O-W issue that arises between sail and oar/paddle powered vessels. The hierarchy of R-O-W appears to ignore this situation completely, or maybe I'm missing something obvious. Anyone ever have a collision resulting in an "authority" deciding this issue for them? (ie. a protest committee, insurance adjuster, court judge, etc.) Click to expand...

Super Anarchist

First question would be do either events need to have permits and do they have permits to host their events? Guessing if the canoe thing is new it is possible they don't have a permit - also the office responsible for issueing the permits should have spotted this long before it became a traffic problem.  

This was a slight issue recently in a race in SF where a large group of canoes clearly racing cut across the Farrallon racing fleet (sailboats) which had just started. Totally hosed us and probably cost us a position in the final race results. We tacked to get clear of the canoes which were going to be a big issue and probably leave a mark and a few people swimming if we had continued on our existing heading.  

As far as I know, any vessle that is under wind power has rights over other vessles, including human powered. If you think about it, you are in your kayak/canoe and see a sailboat on course upwind, if you are in the sailboats path, dig your paddle in twice and back the fuck up...simple as that. Canoes and kayaks are very light and maneuverable and so there is no reason for any "bumps" on the water between the kayak and a boat under sail. That being said, I believe that a sailboat has rights over a kayak. Now on to the race this Saturday, good luck on that one man, I personally would not go out sailing if there was to be 300+ canoes on the water anywhere near the sailing racecourse. On to the canoe-race organizer swaggering over to tell you what's so, in my opinion he needs to get a fucking smack!  

Aqua Puttana

I don't have any specific information, but keep in mind that if your intention is to make a statement in most all collisions on the water blame is assessed in a percentage. Everyone is responsible to avoid collision no matter what your rights.  

I was alway taught that a canoe/row boat has right of way over a sailboat which has right of way over a motorboat. What nobody teaches anymore seems to be common sense or common courtesy.  

I'll add that collegiate rowing shells are commonly told that they meet the requirement of 'restricted in their ability to manuver and therefore have rights over sailboats'. 8's are about 60' long 18" wide and have a rudder smaller than your hand, which makes them far less manuverable than canoes. That exception may have been a local rule where 8's are prevalent. FWIW, US Rowing says that becalmed sailboats have ROW over shells, but with wind shells have ROW over sailboats (pragmatic at least - giving ROW to the less manuverable in the conditions). Canoeists are probably stretching to be included in the category of rowing shells.  

Sounds to me like there will be plenty of action to see - might be fun just to drop a fishing line over the side and watch the madness happen. Seriously check to see if the right event permits were filed if required that would be an easy way to clear up the issue. Canoe event has no paper and didn't pay event fees then they need to get their asses out of the way.  

A DFO who I used to work for, and is (oxomoronicly) a pretty cluey guy, with the resources at his disposal to research this, told me sveral years ago that a paddled vessel (not rowed) had no rights whatsoever. Whether or not that's true, I make an effort not to run over kayakers. When, however, they break my balls or are otherwise idiotic, I shout at them that they have no rights under COLREGS. Dunno if its true but its worked so far. But as Jerry used to say, what the fuck do I know anyway.  

USNA has Sailboats above Rowboats in their ROW hierarchy. http://usna.edu/SailingTeam/training/lectures/rorsummary.pdf It sounds like it would be a good idea for the organizers of both events to have a talk and sort things out before it gets ugly. Maybe your local coast guard station could help.  

• Thread starter

Thanks for the replies, especially JJ-Chi. I followed that up, and it's actually a document issued by the Port of London. Page 35 of "Rowing on the Tideway - A Code of Practice for Rowing on the Tidal Thames Above Putney". http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/pdfs/maritim..._-_printers.pdf What a hodgepodge of conflicting ideas. There can be no courtesy without first having a commonly-agreed system. Adherence to the system is what we'd call "courtesy". It just seems nuts that there's no absolute rule that we all just know to obey. Interesting that US Rowing has a position on this. Has US Sailing? Are the positions in agreement? The skipper of the keelboat on which I will be crewing, tells me he's in a position to find out from Transport Canada. So I'll post his results, if any. NB - There will be 300 canoeists, not 300 canoes. The ones I've seen carry a crew of about 6, so I would guess about 50 canoes (more if there are any double-handed or kayaks involved - I don't know). Probably about the same number of keelboats. The "canoes" have an ama mounted to leeward, and are not especially seaworthy... the race organizer told me he could not confirm their race course until Saturday, as sea conditions could prevent them doing any "beam-on" legs. So maybe they are analogous to rowing shells. Race canoeists (or "Paddlers" as they like to be called) have joined my local dinghy club in droves in the last 2 years. As the dinghy sailing died off, the club needed the revenue from new members of any kind, so the club's directors solicited canoeists to join. So politically, we have to support these guys in their endeavours. Trying to punt their race for permit irregularities would not go over well. Where political warfare with the club's paddling faction becomes absolutely necessary, I have certainly undertaken it. I managed to prevent the club's directors from changing the club's corporate bylaws to delete "sailing" as the club's primary purpose (by a dickhead procedural argument - improper compliance with 2 week notice to members to vote on Special Resolution). The motion has not returned to the agenda in 2 years... Paddlers are welcome, but not THAT welcome.  

LOL - you failed to mention the canoe event was also hosted by your club. Sounds like your club needs to do a better job organizing their events. You don't hose your long running popular sailing event by running a second event like the Canoe event the same weekend or day. Sounds like your club needs a new calendar. I feel for you dude but what the heck someone needs to step up and say its not about sailing vs canoe here its about a club being smart and running great events - in this case it sounds like both events are going to get flubbed.  

U20guy2 said: LOL - you failed to mention the canoe event was also hosted by your club. Sounds like your club needs to do a better job organizing their events. You don't hose your long running popular sailing event by running a second event like the Canoe event the same weekend or day. Sounds like your club needs a new calendar. I feel for you dude but what the heck someone needs to step up and say its not about sailing vs canoe here its about a club being smart and running great events - in this case it sounds like both events are going to get flubbed. Click to expand...

Dirk Vivisect said: Thanks for the replies, especially JJ-Chi. I followed that up, and it's actually a document issued by the Port of London. Page 35 of "Rowing on the Tideway - A Code of Practice for Rowing on the Tidal Thames Above Putney". http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/pdfs/maritim..._-_printers.pdf What a hodgepodge of conflicting ideas. There can be no courtesy without first having a commonly-agreed system. Adherence to the system is what we'd call "courtesy". i used to (young age) canoe (paddle!) on the thames we gave right of way to - powerboats (commercial especially), sailboats, and rowing boats then i rowed on the thames - we took right of way over most, but stayed out of the way of the commerical boats then i sailed on the thames for a very short time. it was crap, and most of the fleet didnt give a toss about whose way they got in most recently (and for the longest time) i have worked on commerial thames ferries and - the sailors, CANOEISTS and most get out of our way However the tideway (lower thames) is different to my sphere (upper thames). The rowers and canoeists demand more rights on the tideway as there are so many rowing clubs they can get away with it difference is canoeists generally like wake as its fun. rowers dont as it gets you wet (trust me wake in an 8 sucks!) long story short - on the thames canoeists are at the bottom of the shit pile as the most manouvarble (spelt wrong - blame the pub) EDIT: We all did have courtesy and we have figured it out pretty much - it really does work out. i am ashamed to say as a sailor that the only people who ever f@ck it up are the sailors......... Click to expand...

Dirk Vivisect said: I was unclear. No, the keelboat event on Saturday has nothing to do with my dinghy club. It's hosted by another club entirely. But coincidentally, my dinghy club hosts a number of the paddlers, and this dinghy club will host the canoe race. Just by fluke chance I was there, working on my dinghy, and ran into the canoe event organizer. But you're right, there has been no attempt to co-ordinate the two events (hosted by the 2 different clubs). The canoes were vaguely aware of the keelboat event, but keelboats were totally unaware of the canoe event. Click to expand...

HamishMacdonald

• Aug 16, 2007

When teaching dinghy sailing a few weeks ago, I was told to teach kids that rowing counted as 'power'  

Navigation Rules should be regarded as a code of conduct and not a bill of rights. They do not bestow rights or privileges, but impose the duty to either give-way or stand-on, dependent on the circumstances. What is important is not so much what things are, i.e. sailing vessel, operational, etc., but how to avoid collisions, e.g. although under sail yet able to be propelled by machinery, obtaining an early warning by radar, etc. Understand, the Rules are in place to prevent collisions not to define nautical terms or to be subjected to strict interpretation. Click to expand...

walterbshaffer

I think it might come down to an analysis of manueverability; is'n that why sailboats have rights over powerboats and deep draft motor vessels have rights over sailboats? Having said that I would say that kayaks & canoes are probably considered more manueverable than sailboats. On the other hand you can't just going bangin' into people because you had right of way but some people do behave that way.  

Latest posts

• Latest: jmh2002
• A moment ago

• Latest: Skipper Kenny

• Latest: Keith

Sailing Anarchy Podcast with Scot Tempesta

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forums
• Chesapeake Angler - The Original- Maryland Angler

Rules of the Road - Sailboat vs Fishing Vessel

• Add to quote

I just want to confirm that I understand the rules correctly before I torpedo a sailboat the next time I'm trolling. Isn't it true that: 1. A fishing vessel whose maneuverability is restricted by fishing equipment has the right of way over a sailboat 2. A sailboat approaching a power fishing vessel from nearly dead astern is the give way vessel  

You're not considered a "fishing vessel". That rules applies to commercial fishing vessels. (Edit: I'm presuming you're a rec fisherman, and your maneuverability is not restricted!) A boat overtaking you is considered the give way vessel, power or sail.  

Paxfish is correct I just look it up last night. Google rules of the road.  

Unfortunately, Blowboats rule in most cases !!  

You're a power vessel underway... period. As many times as this comes up, perhaps it needs to be a sticky.  

Yes PAX is 100% correct. While trolling you are not a RAM. RAM's are commercial fishing vessels with deployed nets or trawls.  

I'm sure Pax's intentions were correct, but could be construed by some recs to include "commercial" charter boats... not the case. Trolling gives no special consideration, even if you're Buddy. Sail with motor running= power vessel.  

many, many, many days on the chesapeake, sailboaters still have the motor running to get them pushing a long a bit faster on a light wind day. With the motor running we all have the same rules.  

I took my Captain's Course in Annapolis. This very subject came up. If I remember correctly it is mandatory they have an inverted triangle displayed to show they are under power. The class was mostly sailboaters. They all laughed about the subject and said if they had that displayed the powerboaters would not have to get out of the way. I just bit my lip and waited for the joking to end so we could continue with the class. But they had a good time with it. Hopefully not all SB'rs have that attitude. I dont think I have ever seen that inverted triangle before?  

I might be wrong but the way I have read the rules is a sailboat has the right away as long as he is holding a steady course and alot of them do not.  

ONLY if his motor is not running and he is not overtaking you.  

I have a 36 foot sailboat that I use for trolling during the trophy season. I know what the rules are. The sailboat under sail with no engine running, has right of way over trolling boats except for those boats that are being overtaken by the sailboat. That being said. I don't fish undrer sail. Even if I did fish under sail I wouldn't insist that power boats get out of my way. That would be rude. I think it would be rude to insist on taking up more than my fair share of the water just because the law says I can. So how about some of these folks with boards out, WAY OUT, take a lesson from me? Just because it's legal doesn't mean you should do it.  

Good point. I hope that we all realize that a sailboat -- or any other vessel -- may have a duty to avoid our hull, but not our lines. If you didn't fish, would you realize that a trolling vessel has fishing lines/lures dragging a hundred feet or more behind the stern, or out to the side? I don't like sailboats (or any other boat) overtaking my trolling lines or cutting across them, but the bottom line is that I am responsible for getting the lines out of his way.  

Actually, a sailboat still has right of way even if his engine is "running". The engine must be out of gear and not propelling the boat. The guy might be charging his battery or running his freezer. I know it's a fine technical point. I just thought I'd mention it.  

I might be wrong but the way I have read the rules is a sailboat has the right away as long as he is holding a steady course and alot of them do not. He is supposed to hold his course and let you avoid him. However, he is sailing under wind power and the wind changes direction. A sailboat can only point so high into the wind. Example, If the wind is from the NE, the boat can sail North. But when the wind shifts 10deg to the left of NE, the sailboat must alter 10deg left in order to stay 45deg off the wind. So as the wind shifts, the sailboat, beating to windward, must follow the wind shifts. And the powerboats need to get out of the way. A reasonable sailboater wouldn't let this happen unles there was no alternative. A reasonable sailboater wouldn't be rude.  

Did that boat in the picture have any sails up?  

Just to let everone know....this guy was NOT under sail.  

I can read the numbers on the inflatable dink he is towing. Looking closer at the picture, I can see sheet lines going up to the corners of a headsail. Looks like he might have had a headsail up. Did he have a headsail up or not?  

Joe, Most reasonable powerboaters and sailboaters would not be rude. I guess there are jerks everywhere. I repeat, there were absolutely no sails up. The only thing close to a sail was the stars and stripes flying off of the stern.  

You're a power vessel underway... period. As many times as this comes up, perhaps it needs to be a sticky. Click to expand...

He has handles in the halyard winch and sheet winch. I can see both sheet lines going up to the headsail that is not in the picture. I'd say he was sailing.  

I'd say that you were not there. I am not a sailor but I DO know what a sail is. He was under power.  

Sorry trout, I wrothe that last one while you were writting. If you say he had no sails, so be it.  

No problem. On a side note I thought all vessles had to have registration numbers. This one had nothing to identify her that I could see.  

If that sailboat is a Federally Documented vessel, they do not need to be State registered...therefore no registration numbers. It will have a Documentation number but that is usually on a plaque inside the vessel. I do believe they are required to have a Name and a hailing port on the exterior of the vessel. This one doesn't seem to be either.  

Joe - Many boats out there have roller furling on the head sails. You're likely seeing those sheets leading up to a furled headsail. I'd bet it was a tough decision for the captain, he was probably trying to avoid your trolling gear and hold a course. So he decided to go in front (better for your gear, in retrospect.) In this situation, I think the phrase "early and obvious" course correction is apt. For both parties. And if you determine that you are the "stand-on" vessel, then maintain course. Turning 180 may have confused the situation (not to mention tangled your lines!)  

Try fishing early before alot of sailboats are out.99% of the sailboats try to avoid you.When we see alot of sailboats-we go somewhere else-not worth losing $$$$ in trolling tackle even if we have the right of way. It's summer time-the bay gets crowded. Skip  

the problem is when they have the sails up AND the motor on, they are the same as me. however, sometimes its difficult to tell if the motor is on, until they get close, if i have scrambled to get out of their way...it really gets my goat.  

I had a sailboater, motor running, no sails up, not yield the right of way as he should and push me shallow this weekend. Three rigs aground and I lost one. Very frustrating to say the least but you come to expect it. I am not sure if it is as much they are being rude or if they just don't have a clue. Either way, the best course of action is to stay alert and be prepared for them to not obey the rules. That way, you won't be surprised when they don't.  

• ?            
• 75.2K members

Top Contributors this Month

• Weekly Newsletter

California's Boating & Fishing News

Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way?

Life is rarely that simple, but at the outset we can make one very clear observation: Contrary to the understanding of a lot of recreational boaters, there is no specific provision of the Rules that requires a recreational vessel to give way to a commercial vessel.            

Unfortunately things get pretty complicated after we make that observation.            

Throughout the world, the Rules operate under a body of maritime law that deals with collisions at sea. Under that system, the burden for safety at sea is shared by all mariners, and liability for damage caused by a collision will be allocated among the various parties according to their percentage of fault, as determined by a court.            

The circumstances vary considerably from case to case, and the outcome will depend upon what expert witnesses have to say about the actions of the parties. This is the umbrella under which all cases like this will be evaluated. And, with that in mind, we can look at our reader’s concerns.            

Our analysis begins in Section II of the Rules — “Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another.” Section II, Rule 18(a) states that “except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require, a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.”            

Rules 9 and 10 refer to large ships operating within a narrow channel or inshore shipping lane, where the large ships are expressly given the right of way. A tugboat, with or without a barge, is not considered a big ship, and it does not operate under those rules.            

Rule 13 applies when a vessel is overtaking another vessel, in which case, the vessel being overtaken has the right of way, whether it is a powerboat or a sailboat.            

Rule 18, therefore, provides the authority for the commonly accepted understanding that sailboats have the right of way over powerboats. But is there a special rule that applies to certain types of power-driven vessels? In some circumstances, yes.            

Rule 18(b) requires a sailing vessel to keep out of the way of (i) a vessel not under command; (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver; and (iii) a vessel engaged in fishing.” A vessel not under command is basically a vessel adrift with a mechanical problem, and a tugboat is obviously not engaged in fishing, so the only question is whether a tugboat with a barge could be characterized as a vessel “restricted in her ability to maneuver.”            

Rule 3(g) defines a “vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver” as a “vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.”            

A dredge that is currently engaged in dredging operations provides the most common example of a “restricted” vessel. But is a tug with a barge a restricted vessel?            

Believe it or not, the answer is generally “no,” but we don’t have to guess. The Rules require these vessels to display lights (at night) and day shapes (during daylight hours) to identify their status.            

Rule 27(b) requires a restricted vessel to exhibit: “(i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; and (ii) three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond.”            

So, the “short” answer to our reader’s question is that his sailboat has the right of way over the tug, unless the tug is exhibiting the lights or day shapes for a restricted vessel. But our analysis is still not over.            

All of the Rules operate under the umbrella of Rule 2. Specifically Rule 2(b), which provides that “in construing and complying with these Rules, due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.”            

As a consequence of Rule 2 and of the maritime law system of allocating fault between vessels, any boat that stubbornly insists on a super-technical adherence to the other rules will be found to have contributed to the collision, and in some circumstances may be found to bear the majority of fault.            

So, for our readers who are still with us (and have not fallen asleep), here is what we should take from this analysis. Technically, a sailboat has the right of way over a commercial vessel, unless that vessel is a big ship or it is displaying the lights or shapes of a “restricted” vessel.            

As such, commercial vessels should do their best to stay out of the way of sailboats.  But this is not always possible, and sailboat operators need to stay diligent around commercial vessels and take steps to avoid collision when it appears that the commercial vessel will be unable to stay clear.

Share This:

• ← Trying to Sell a Boat When No One Is Alive to Sign the Bill of Sale
• My Boat’s Buyer Is Not Making Payments. What Do I Do Now? →

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your Thoughts are Appreciated

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• All Topics Sailing
• General Sailing Discussions
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Trolling boat - right of way question

• Add to quote

I was on a tack and saw a boat off to port. Many people troll where I am and they move at maybe 2 knots. I had right away, but I tightened up my tack to give him as much room as possible and thought it was a clear miss if everyone maintained course. The other boat turned upwind into my course and he eventually gave way, but gave me the stink eye as came close. Seemed weird. Did I screw up his pattern? Did I screw up? Some rule that I've forgotten or never mastered? He was to port and using his motor. I'm to his starboard and under sail. No channels in this area. He altered course to create a right of way issue although not yet an emergency, but I was probably 10 seconds away from coming around to avoid a collision if he didn't give way.  

boats that are fishing lots of times seem to think they are "fishing" boats  

Definitely a small sport boat.  

Sport fishing boats do not have right of way, but some think they do! We were sailing home under spinnaker one day and there was a large fleet of sport fishing boats milling around every which way around the mouth of a river. There was too many to go around them, so we just held our course and the fleet just opened up to let us through, and closed in behind us. We got the stink-eye from a couple of them, but mostly they were snapping pics like tourists. We must have been an impressive sight, a 40ft boat with a huge red spinnaker cruising along at 7kts with lunch laid out on the cockpit table! Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk  

First, never mind "right of way". You were the "stand on" boat. And he was the "give way" boat, although he obviously didn't know it. As Don L just said, these guys who are out with their pleasure boats, fishing, are NOT fishing boats. My guess is, they either don't know the rules, or they don't care. Just because you have a line or several lines trailing behind your boat, doesn't grant you any privileges. If it did, what would happen, if upon approaching one of these fishing boats, you were to put a fishing pole in a rod holder and let out some line? Where I live and do my boating, Muskegon, Michigan, the fishermen are a hazard on either end of the channel that connects Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. I don't put up with their crap. If they want to drag their lines across my bow so I run over them, that's their problem. Oh, I'll change my course a couple degrees to accommodate them, but no way will I tack, or take any major action. F@^# 'em. I've had several situations where I'm approaching the channel from Lake Michigan, under sail, and from a mile out, it's obvious that a fisherman is on a collision course with me. It should be obvious to them, too, if their brains operated in a normal fashion. Typically, they just continue on their course, and when I don't get out of their way they shake their fists and swear at me. One time, they attempted to board my boat. That would have gone poorly for them, but I can't say why on this forum because...... Ha ha....one time, the Muskegon Lake end of the channel was totally congested with these morons, and I witnessed a 36 ish foot powerboat trying to negotiate his way through them. He had to get close to a bass boat with low freeboard, and bless his heart, he gunned it and turned his wheel hard to starboard and totally swamped the bass boat. I replay that in my mind with great satisfaction. I recall seeing a post on Sailnet from a salt water sailor who visited Muskegon and was appalled that the Coast Guard didn't do something about this situation. He contacted the Coast Guard, as it's their responsibility to keep the channel clear, but no changes were made.  

In my local waters, Lk St Clair near Detroit, pretty much all vessels sport trolling define themselves as "a vessel engaged in fishing". This includes the charter boats with USCG licenced captains/operators. They are very willing to argue the point.  

A vessel engaged in fishing under the ColRegs is defined under 3(d) of the ColRegs. It says: (d ) The term vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability. So no, spirtfishing boats generally have no special status.  

When I teach the "rules of the sea" I make clear that a "fishing boat" is a vessel engaged in fishing with nets or trawls out, and such fishing is NOT allowed in a channel . A fishing vessel is not two-guys-and-a-sixpack with lines in the water. ALL vessels have the obligation to avoid a collision, and any situation that may make one likely. A lobster or crab boat while working their pots is attached to the ground by the pot and its leader, and therefore should be treated as a vessel at anchor. I give almost all guys fishing the stink-eye.  

I disagree that lobster boats are attached to the bottom while pulling up a trap. If they were, they’d be pulled down rather than the trap pulled up. What they are doing is not much different from a sport fishing boat reeling in fishing lines, only the trap weighs more than a lure. During this time when the lobster boat is pulling up his trap he prefers to maintain a right turn but at any time he can adjust his course to go straight or he can slow down or stop or he can take the warp off his hauler, throw the buoy overboard, and turn in any direction at all. Therefore he’s not restricted in his ability to maneuver so must give way to sailboats unless being overtaken by one.  

sunlover said: I had right away, but I tightened up my tack to give him as much room as possible Click to expand...

MarkofSeaLife said: No. Thats not what ColRegs say to do. The Stand On Vessel MUST Stand On until a collision is imminent. Click to expand...

I sail, I fish, I throw caution to the wind and I avoid situations. But you better not run over my line unnecessarily if I'm trolling. If you can fall off, do so. It's mahi season. And I'm usually 20 miles offshore. Highly unlikely issues in open ocean. I always give way to sailboats long before anything comes up. Never had a problem under sail or running the power boat.  

My usual strategy which was the reason for my course earlier course change. I had just dodged 3 other boats and a tug with a barge. Sometimes I had right away and sometimes not, but I often adjust course long before we get close to avoid circumstances where right away rules come into play.  

I fail to see how a boat trolling at 2 knots is sufficient nuisance (unless right at a channel entrance) to merit stink eye. I know COLREGS pretty well, and also know from experience that these guys are usually very easy to safely avoid. No they, are not legally hindered in their ability to maneuver, but practically sharp turns can cause tangles, so be the bigger man and work with the situation.  

pdqaltair said: I fail to see how a boat trolling at 2 knots is sufficient nuisance Click to expand...

Sailors and fishermen alike just want to enjoy their boats, and, with a little mutual consideration and common sense, we can all do it. If I'm approaching a boat that's fishing, or a powerboat towing skiers, and I can see that I'll pass near them if I hold my course, I'll tack or bear off to pass well clear of them. I could rely on my stand-on status, but why not tack to let the other boater enjoy his sport unimpeded? If I tack 75-100 yards away from him, and I'm moving at 6 kts and he's moving at 2 kts, I don't think the colregs are implicated at all. There's no realistic risk of collision. I'm not a stand-on vessel. I'm just a vessel that's under way, and free to tack or gybe at will. But, even if I was a stand-on vessel, that doesn't mean I must hold my course until I ram the other boat. I'm always obligated to avoid a collision.  

Trolling, or in fact doing anything other than minding traffic in a channel is frowned up. If you read COLREGS, overtaking is last in the priorety list, before only NUC. Likewise Narrow channel (rule 9) overrules commercial fishing (c) and RAM. The whole sail/power thing is at the end of the list, when these more pressing rules do not apply. So if someone is trolling in a channel, yes, stinkeye is fair. I should know better. The edges can be good fishing, but it is ALL on him to keep clear. Note the "overtaking" thing. Ff you are crossing the other boat from more than 22.5 degrees aft of the beam you are actually overtaking, and have not rights whatsoever, sail or power. If you read the exclusions, you will see the overtaking rule trumps all others. Overtaking is not always passing. Trolling speed depends on what fish they are targetting. Lakes, bays, and in-shore temperate waters for seatrout, blue fish and stripers are always trolled 2-3 knots. Maybe 3-4 for spanish makeral. Any faster and you won't catch anything. Blue water trilling for tune and mahi mahi is faster, typically 6-12 knots. So you can often be pretty sure of the trolling speed in any given water.  

I love a good forum rules battle  

I think there is a psychological aversion to letting a sailboat cross in front of you if you have a powerboat. Something in your brain says "I'm a powerboat, I go fast. I'm not waiting for any sailboat. I know they are stand on, but I'll just cross in front of them because they are slow. " When crossing the usual line of trolling boats, I do not mind timing my tacks to cause them the least amount of disturbance, but many many times I've had boats which would easily clear behind me deliberately alter course to cross dangerously in front of me.  

• When is the earliest time at which you can make a logical decision?
• When are you close enough that the stand-on/give-way requirements come into play? At some point it is inapropriate to give-way when the rule says stand-on, unless you must dodge to avoid collision. Otherwise, every meeting starts a sidewalk shuffle.

My favorite is when they are fishing in the cut entering the harbor. Especially in peasoup fog.  

Many have AIS now. But it sounds like the primary issue is freshwater fishing boats. I've never . . . well, there was that one lobsterman in Rockland, ME that decided to cut off our lines when I took the kids mackerel fishing years ago. He was running, we were nowhere near him, but he felt he had to come cut our lines. Probably pulled up someone's lure on his lobster warp at some point. I chased him to the dock but he was in his truck and gone before I got there. The other lobstermen just said "yeah, he's an a&&wipe."  

Personally, I'd say 200 feet at 6 knots is way too late. That's less that 10 boat lengths. You'll close the gap in less than 20 seconds. That's too close by my standards. By then, you better be following the COLREGS. For me, I'm talking around a 1/4 mile for recreational boats, and more when dealing with faster vessels. The other aspect is, the closer I am to any perceived hazard, the more definitive I make any course change (if I make a change). Nothing is perfect in this world, and there is always room for misunderstanding or confusion, but if you make any course change large and definitive, then it goes a long way in avoiding any miscommunication.  

MikeOReilly said: Personally, I'd say 200 feet at 6 knots is way too late. That's less that 10 boat lengths. You'll close the gap in less than 20 seconds. That's too close by my standards. By then, you better be following the COLREGS. For me, I'm talking around a 1/4 mile for recreational boats, and more when dealing with faster vessels. The other aspect is, the closer I am to any perceived hazard, the more definitive I make any course change (if I make a change). Nothing is perfect in this world, and there is always room for misunderstanding or confusion, but if you make any course change large and definitive, then it goes a long way in avoiding any miscommunication. Click to expand...

The right answer depends on a lot of different factors. Ships on open water 4 miles isn't uncommon. Ships in confined waters 1 mile isn't uncommon. Even Ships have exceptions though. Welland canal for example might only be a 4 or 5 ship lengths before you haul over to starboard so you can keep the bank suction to a minimum. Ships get squirlly when to close to the bank. Sailboats have all kinds of different factors to consider, spinnaker or preventer might increase your action distance, size of the boat, maneuverability, weather conditions, visibility, traffic density, sea room, the other boats maneuverability. My 16 ft trimaran doesn't need a whole lot of space to turn. Stand on the rudder pedal and it comes around fast. In any case, it has to be far enough that it doesn't turn into a game of chicken. Showing what you can do when you are racing when not in a race or dealing with other non race boats isn't appropriate, you need to take the other boats maneuverability into account and consider what a reasonable person might do in the same situation.  

Good discussion, thanks for it. The Rules "in practice" shouldn't differ from port to port, but local conditions are worth considering, particularly insofar as visibility is concerned. I tell my sailing students that in considering the NavRules, they don't really come into meaningful play until both vessels are actually aware of each other. For us, an east-facing marina/harbor entrance, means most of the powerboats are heading west to get "home", and late in the afternoon they're looking directly into the low sun. Actually two suns, as also they get the reflection of the sun off the water. While we are looking "downsun", and can see most everything without squinting. And our sailboat is level, while the powerboat may be "squatting" as they come off plane and are bow-high, a temporary blind spot for them.. And there's always the chance that your inbound MV's helmsperson has been consuming adult beverages (in New Orleans? uh, quite possibly), might in fact be on autopilot, or not even actually on the bridge, or all the above. So we will typically try to exit, and short-tack if necessary, on a course that isn't "straight out" to the east, since we have "big water" ahead of us while that cabin cruiser is heading for small water, the relatively narrow channel opening at the breakwater. I want to put our sailors into an "opening pattern" rather than a closing one. Call it the "rule of displacement"? Ain't in the COLREGS booklet. But it is there in real life.  

The problem in Great Lakes is compounded by the fact that they're not just trolling along a shoal, they're trying to stay on top of a school of salmon they've marked on the sounder. So they turn when they pass the edge of the school, and turn. This, of course, seems random to us sailors. It does mean however that they can't be trusted to maintain a steady course. We generally just avoid them by a good distance. During the fall run when the salmon have entered the rivers is entertaining; just sit and watch the fights amongst the trolling fishing boats. We stay WAY away from that train wreck.  

sunlover said: I was on a tack and saw a boat off to port. Many people troll where I am and they move at maybe 2 knots. I had right away, but I tightened up my tack to give him as much room as possible and thought it was a clear miss if everyone maintained course. The other boat turned upwind into my course and he eventually gave way, but gave me the stink eye as came close. Seemed weird. Did I screw up his pattern? Did I screw up? Some rule that I've forgotten or never mastered? He was to port and using his motor. I'm to his starboard and under sail. No channels in this area. He altered course to create a right of way issue although not yet an emergency, but I was probably 10 seconds away from coming around to avoid a collision if he didn't give way. Click to expand...

WillJ said: That being said, when sailing I routinely give way to other boats to be polite not just to avoid collision. Click to expand...

I have found this thread really interesting because I am in the process of writing an article for publication on subStack about this very subject. It's main subject is sailboats, because of the old myth that sailboats always have the "Right of Way". As all of you know, they don't. Under many circumstances they are the Stand On vessel, and in this case cited by the poster, the sailboat was the Stand On Vessel. But there are many exceptions in the COLREGs where the sailboat must Give Way. But boats trolling is not one of them. It also coincides with an article I wrote as a newly minted Coast Guard officer way back in 1976, about boats fishing in a channel on long Island. The channel was used by Oil tankers coming and going from an oil terminal, and several boats had been run over because they were fishing in the middle of the channel. The tankers were leaving on an outgoing tide, they were lightship, and had very little steering control and because of the current, no way they could stop. Fortunately, no one died. Anyway, nothing to do with sailboats, but a good illustration of what can happen to anyone who obstructs a busy channel that is narrow, and large vessels are constrained in their ability to maneuver. Something to keep in mind. The people in the International Maritime Organization who wrote the COLREGs carefully chose the words Stand On and Give Way to get away from the idea of Right of Way. They wanted to impress on vessel operators that the point was to avoid collisions. That means you have a duty to obey the rules and a responsibility to take whatever action the rules require. If that means taking an action to avoid a collision that violates another rule, well so be it. In your capacity as the Stand On vessel you do not have an absolute right to continue if that would result in a collision. Anyway, I'm yammering on now. You have given me a lot of food for thought and contributed to my article. I am both a sailboat and powerboat person and I love to sail (although I no longer have a sailboat) and to fish, so I have a pretty good picture of both sides of this situation.  

• ?            
• 176.2K members

Top Contributors this Month

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Fishing in General
• Other Stuff (related to fishing)

Boats vs bank anglers who has the "right of way"

• May 20, 2018

So I had an altercation with a gentleman trolling for salmon around Swan Island the other day which sparked this question. What happened is I have a bank spot that I like and very regularly use for sturgeon and someone was trolling for salmon about 20-30yds from the bank. Since I was going for sturgeon from the bank I was using surf rods and was having to throw about 80-90yds out. I politely warned the man that he was going to run over me if he kept his present course and instantly he started cussing ans swearing at me for stealing his fishing spots. This brought me to a question that I want to hear your opinion on because I never really knew what the real etiquette for this type of situation is. Who has the right of way here the person in the boat or the person on the bank? Should the person trolling either pull lines for the 20-30yds along the bank as they pass the bank angler or maneuver around them? Or should the bank angler pull lines for the boat to pass? From my point of view as a person that primarily fishes from the bank I would think the boaters would move because with most places bank fishing you are very limited for where you can throw your lines and don't have access to most of the lake or river where on a boat you do. Along with that the boater would only be passing by and not anchoring or be fishing that particular spot for a long period of time. I am very interested to hear what to hear people think especially those that are fishing primarily on boats. Who has the right of way? The boater of the bank angler?  

Of all the people I fish out of a boat with, all of them yield to bank anglers. For multiple reasons -- they have much less area to fish. For another, the most basic of fishing rules -- they were there first. Even in the Columbia off Frenchman's Bar, where they kayak their lines out a couple of hundred yards. What's the difference if that bankie was in a boat and anchored there? Sure, anchoring in a well-established trolling lane is poor form, but in places like Meldrum, Frenchman's, or even Kelly Point, those spots are for bank fishermen. It's not a big deal to reel up your trolling gear -- you were probably due to check it anyway.  

1. NO one "owns" any fishing spots. 2. You were there first. 3. You have a limited number of places to cast, when banking it. 4. Boaters have the WHOLE river (or lake), to fish in. So anyone piloting a boat is, IMO, a complete ASS--if they don't move aside, from a bankie's lines!!! I've had boats literally pull up, and sit on top of the only spot that I can hit from the bank. And just sit, and sit, and sit...for a long time. Those are the ones who are in danger--of getting walloped--by my weights or lures. Just sayin'... P.S. If a bank fisherman's weights, or lures, hit your damned boat. Don't be an idiot. There's no way that you can't then know; that you are in the wrong spot! P.P.S. Now let me tell you...how I really feel...  

Active member

troutdude;n612191 said: 1. NO one "owns" any fishing spots. 2. You were there first.. . So anyone piloting a boat is, IMO, a complete ASS--if they don't move aside, from a bankie's lines!!! I've had boats literally pull up, and sit on top of the only spot that I can hit from the bank. And just sit, and sit, and sit...for a long time. Those are the ones who are in danger--of getting walloped--by my weights or lures. Just sayin'... P.S. If a bank fisherman's weights, or lures, hit your damned boat. Don't be an idiot. There's no way that you can't then know; that you are in the wrong spot! P.P.S. Now let me tell you...how I really feel... Click to expand...

I fish both bank and boat. There's a big difference between casting spinners and having almost 250ft of line out in a known trolling lane. If the trolling path is inside of your line direction and you knowingly cast in there paths it wont be a pleasant outcome. How many boats are using that line ? Honestly its a case of courtesy on both party's. I have at times not fish in certain spots because of high boat traffic and on the other hand have not trolled when I see more than one person fishing off the bank or at least moved over out of there path. I don't know the area you fish and only fish the south coast but the one thing I have noticed is the further north you go the people seem to have a hotter temper.  

If someone is trolling a hundred feet of line as you are, you don't come on top of his troll. That's low-holing, they were there first same as going over a plunker. Tony  

Way i figure it, and i havent salmon fished much, bank fishermen have right of way. When i fish out of my boat, sometimes i come across people on the bank. Usually just avoid those places altogether. Should the need arise that i fish the same bank people are on, i would go around them and continue on my fishing after i pass. If its a popular trolling lane and theres also people bank fishing, i say maybe the trolling lane should move out a little bit more to allow both parties to be able to enjoy the water. If people really have to get combative in order to fish, somethings wrong. I get that sometimes it is a race to the spot but give it up if you get beat or theres no room for another. As was mentioned before, both parties should show respect. I would rather have a warning and avoid tangled lines. I do know people will snag lines just to cut and run. Fishing should be relaxing, not a battleground on water.  

• May 21, 2018

As a kayaker I end up in shallower water and closer to the bank than, say, a powerboat. Whenever I'm approaching fishermen on the bank I try to see how far out their lines are, or just guess at how far they might have cast, and go around. A few times I've ended up on a line where I'm closer than I intended, and just call out "how far out are you ?" and been told "you're fine". No one "owns" any fishing spot, except the guy who got there first. If that's a bankie, fine. If that's a boat that, say, anchors up within casting distance from shore, that may or may not be poor form (think back bouncing or back trolling on a small river). But they certainly shouldn't pull up and do that where a bankie is already working that water. The fact that the boater got hot under the collar, and then confessed it was because he thought it was "his" spot, is double proof that the boater is a dipstick. Flinging lead into or over the boat might feel good to ponder but would only escalate the situation. I will admit to casting in front of an approaching boat while banking, just to give them a sense of where I am casting to.  

• May 22, 2018

I always give the right away to a bank fisherman. I have the whole river to fish.  

Markk;n612271 said: I always give the right away to a bank fisherman. I have the whole river to fish. Click to expand...

Well-known member

• May 23, 2018

hobster;n612297 said: Simply stated and right on! I’m a bank maggot 90 percent of the time and most boats are respectful and move on. We have a small area to fish and they have more drifts and lots of water. I don’t mind sharing the hole for a while with a courteous boat. I’m pretty chill, we can all work together, except when someone is plugging through a bankies hole. Super rude and uncalled for! Click to expand...

• May 24, 2018

Irishrover;n612345 especially when fishing the ocean.;)[/QUOTE said: ROTFL! Good one Lonn! Click to expand...

Similar threads

• Apr 14, 2024
• Oregon Fishing Reports

• Article Article
• Mar 17, 2024
• Dec 19, 2022
• Fishing in Willamette Zone

• Jul 6, 2024
• Mar 26, 2024

• CREATE AN ACCOUNT
• Boat Cover Finder
• Bimini Top Finder
• Boat Propeller Finder
• Engine Parts Finder
• Anchor & Dock
• Watersports
• Clothing and Footwear
• Engine Parts
• Cabin and Galley
• Covers and Biminis
• Electronics
• Paint and Maintenance
• Pumps and Plumbing
• Anchor Chains & Ropes
• Boat Fenders
• Boat Mooring
• Boat Protection
• Dock Storage & Protection
• Ladders, Steps, & Platforms
• Top Sellers

• Fishing Rods
• Fishing Reels
• Fishing Rod & Reel Combos
• Fishing Tools & Tackle Boxes
• Fishing Line
• Fly Fishing
• Fishing Bait & Fishing Lures
• Fishing Rod Holders & Storage Racks
• Fish Finders, Sounders & Sonar
• Trolling Motors
• Fishing Nets
• Fishing Downriggers & Acessories
• Fishing Outriggers & Acessories
• Fishing Kayaks
• Fish Cleaning Tables

• Inflatable Rafts
• Paddle Boarding
• Paddles & Oars
• Wakeboard, Wakesurf & Ski
• Wakeboard Towers
• Tow Ropes & Handles
• Life Jackets & PFDs
• Snow Sports
• Roof Racks, Carriers, Dollies

Men's Clothing

• Accessories

Men's Footwear

• Atheltic Shoes
• Water Shoes

Women's Clothing

• Dresses & Skirts

Women's Footwear

• Fuel Systems
• Sacrificial Anodes & Zincs
• Generator Parts
• Inflatable Boats
• Propeller Parts & Accessories
• Boat Manuals
• PWC Parts & Accessories

• Fishing Boat Seats
• Offshore Boat Seats
• Ski Boat Seats
• Pontoon Boat Seats & Furniture
• Boat Seat Pedestals & Hardware
• Boat Seats by Manufacturer
• Boat Tables & Hardware
• Boat Seat Covers
• Boat Seat Vinyl
• Floating Boat Cushions

• Barbeque Grills
• Boat Drink Holders
• Cabin Accessories & Hardware
• Boat Ventilation
• Interior & Cabin Lighting
• Marine Teak Products
• Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
• Binoculars & Telescopes

Boat Bimini Tops

• Bimini Top Accessories
• Pontoon Bimini Tops
• Other Biminis
• RV & Trailer Covers
• Boat Shrink Wrap & Accessories
• Boat Shelters

Boat Covers

• Boat Cover Accessories
• Boat Lift Canopy Covers
• Other Covers
• Boat Wiring & Cable
• Marine Batteries & Accessories
• Marine DC Power Plugs & Sockets
• Marine Electrical Meters
• Boat Lights
• Marine Electrical Panels & Circuit Breakers
• Power Packs & Jump Starters
• Marine Solar Power Accessories
• Marine Electrical Terminals
• Marine Fuse Blocks & Terminal Blocks
• Marine Switches
• Shore Power & AC Distribution

• Marine Audio & Video
• GPS Chartplotters & Accessories
• Electronic Navigation Charts & Software
• Digital Instruments
• Display Mounts
• VHF Radios & Communication
• Marine Radar
• Auto Pilot Systems
• Action Cameras

• Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair
• Boat Paint & Varnish
• Marine Adhesives, Sealant, & Caulking
• Marine Engine Maintenance
• Boat Cleaners & Waxes
• Boat Cleaning Supplies

• Fresh Water Boat Systems
• Bilge Pumps
• Marine Plumbing Parts
• Wash Down Pumps
• Livewell Aerator Pumps & Live Bait Wells
• Toilet & Waste Pumps
• Marine Pump Replacement Parts

• Tires, Rims, & Hub Kits
• Boat Trailer Winches
• Boat Motor Supports & Transom Savers
• Boat Trailer Guides & Rollers
• Boat Trailer Fenders
• Boat Trailer Lights
• Boat Trailer Hardware
• Boat Trailer Jacks
• Boat Trailer Brakes & Axles
• Boat Trailer Tie Downs
• Couplers, Mounts, Hitches, & Locks

• Boat Deck Harware
• Marine Nuts, Bolts, & Screws
• Boat Handles, Pulls, & Rings
• Prop Nut Kits & Hardware
• Boat Cabin Hardware
• Marine Fasteners
• Boat Windshield Parts
• Boat Tubing & Rails
• Boat Mirrors
• Marine Tools & Tool Kits
• Boat Lettering

• Women's Clothing Deals
• Men's Clothing Deals
• Fishing Deals
• Anchor & Dock Deals
• Electrical Deals
• Electronics Deals
• Paint & Maintenance Deals
• Pumps & Plumbing Deals
• Boat Seats Deals
• Trailering Deals
• Camping & RV Deals
• Dealer Login

• Forums Login

• Search forums
• The iboats forum moderators would like to mention to all the iboaters here that we’re sorry but the website server seems to be running on half a cylinder and in order to post pictures, etc. you may have to use an outside hosting source, which we understand is not ideal, but its all we got at present. We are hoping that the administration can rectify this issue soon, but unfortunately at this time we can make no promises as to when... we have been working on letting the higher powers that be 'know of the situation... hang in there iboaters, we've been through a lot over the years and this is just another rough weather system rolling through to endure is all. Thank you.
• Saltwater Fishing

Fishermen vs divers - right of way question (S. Florida)

• Thread starter MattFL
• Start date Aug 29, 2020

Master Chief Petty Officer

• Aug 29, 2020

My goal is to stay legal, so I'm looking for someone who might know a bit about the laws in FL. As this place becomes more insanely over populated, confrontations between divers and fishermen are occurring much more often. Both want to be at the same location, where the fish are. Here we are very near the gulf stream and the current runs 3-4 mph, so fishermen will drop in then drift over the areas with bottom structure where the fish are. Commercial recreational dive boats come drop their divers in the same exact location, and they're not shy about dropping in directly in the path of the drifting fishing boats. My question is; assuming a fisherman is already drifting and fishing, then a dive boat pulls up near by and directly in the path of the fishing boat and starts dropping in divers, who has the right of way? Note the fishing boat is drifting 3-4 mph and not under power, and the dive boat pulls up within a hundred yards or two, so the two will meet within minutes. The law is clear about approaching a dive flag while under power, but I'm not clear on the laws when drifting (not under power) and the drive boat puts themselves directly in the path of the drift.  

Supreme Mariner

We fight the same issue with sail boats... Unfortunatly, there are no right of way considerations given to vessels while recreational fishing. If the dive flag or the bouy is out, you are required to stay clear of the area.  

When drifting you are still considered underway. Therefore a boat anchored or aground down wind is the privileged vessel and it is your responsibility to stay clear, whether or not it is a boat tending divers. It always law to stay clear of a boat with divers down. Bad manners and the law don't always agree.  

Thanks guys for the replies. The drive boats here don't anchor. The current is running strong so they are constantly idling in circles to stay over the drive site and to run around and pick up divers. The divers frequently pop-up hundreds of yards away from the drive boats, having been carried by the current, so we're always on the lookout for those guys. So we are both underway it appears. Which also complicates things. Sometimes we try to give the drive boats the required 100+ yards, but the dive boats are driving around in 1/4 mile diameter circles.  

Lieutenant Junior Grade

• Sep 6, 2020

Would it work if the fishermen anchored and then the dive boats would have to work around you? Up here boats drift fishing and whoever got the smaller boat usually gets out of the way.  

Scott Danforth

Grumpy vintage moderator still playing with boats.

diver down flags and buoys have right of way and other vessels must maintain 300 foot clearance and divers must make reasonable effort to stay within 100 feet of the flag or buoy https://myfwc.com/boating/regulations/  

Well I never had to deal with such things directly. But I have been fishing lake coves minding my own business when jet-skiers pop into the same cove and literally come within casting distance lots of times. Talk about making waves... Seems some people would rather make enemies then friends. Gone are the days when people were polite and caring it seems. I've had other fisherman come in and take over areas I've been setup and fishing and don't think anything about it. Same with hunting clubs. Decency and common sense manners seems to be missing with increasingly more that who knows what will happen in a few decades. The Golden Rule is dead and gone! JMHO  

we had an impolite baw bag at the ramp yesterday that was taking up the whole dock because he refused to move his boat to the end while he was waiting for his meth-headed friend to run to go get bait. he tied the one dock up for over an hour according to the other upset folk there.  

gm280 said: Gone are the days when people were polite and caring it seems. I've had other fisherman come in and take over areas I've been setup and fishing and don't think anything about it. Same with hunting clubs. Decency and common sense manners seems to be missing with increasingly more that who knows what will happen in a few decades. The Golden Rule is dead and gone! JMHO Click to expand...

dingbat said: I hear what your saying but the reality is that the population of the US has doubled in the past 60 years. Same pie, 1/2 the serving size. The twenty acres and a mule we grew up with is down to 1/5 acre and an electric push mower....lol Click to expand...

I have stated it for years.----The schools are too big these days.--------If I remember right my high school had about 1000 students in the 1960's. we all got along great.----Today high schools are much bigger.-----Just like too many pigs in a barn you get fights !!  

• Sep 7, 2020

KJM said: Well a recent report says the world population will peak in the next few decades and then begin to go down. The world could really do with a lot less people using limited resources (and fishing spots and boat ramps!) Click to expand...

Boat Reviews

• Boats Specs
• Marine Pros
• Boat Insurance
• Boat Warranties
• Boat Transport
• Boat Towing
• Marine Forecasts

Your Ultimate Boating Resource

Do sailboats always have the right of way?

? This is a common question among boaters, especially those who are new to sailing. The answer is no, sailboats do not always have the right of way.

In general, the rules of navigation state that boats should give way to those that are less maneuverable. For example, a large ship would have the right of way over a small sailboat in most cases. However, this does not mean that sailboats never have the right of way.

In fact, there are many situations in which a sailboat has the right of way. For example, if a powerboat is overtaking a sailboat from behind, the powerboat must yield to the sailboat. Additionally, if a sailboat is on a starboard tack (with the wind coming from the right side) and another boat is on a port tack (with the wind coming from the left side), the sailboat has the right of way.

It’s important for sailors to understand these rules of navigation and to always keep an eye out for other boats on the water. This requires constant vigilance and a willingness to communicate with other boaters.

If you are unsure of who has the right of way in a particular situation, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and give way to the other boat. This can prevent accidents and keep everyone safe on the water.

Sailboats do not always have the right of way, but there are many situations in which they do. It’s important for sailors to understand these rules of navigation and to always be aware of other boats on the water. By doing so, we can all enjoy a fun and safe boating experience.

Related Questions

What type of wood is used for pier pilings, what is the difference between a dock and a floating pier, what is the proper technique for pulling a beginner wakeboarder, what does ‘no wake’ mean on a lake, what is the difference between wash and wake, is wakesurfing possible in the sea, why don’t wooden piers rot, what size wakeboard is needed, how to achieve more pop on a wakeboard, does wake surfing translate to ocean surfing, latest posts, overview of the 2024 sea-doo rxp-x 325, overview of the 2024 parker offshore 2900 cc, what your boat’s beam is and why it matters, power cats of 2024: ultimate guide to the top power catamarans this year, don't miss, our newsletter.

Get the latest boating tips, fishing resources and featured products in your email from BoatingWorld.com!

Navigating the Heat: 10 Safety Tips for a Safe Boat Ride in the Summer Heat

Highs, lows, and tidal know-how: a deep dive into ocean currents, 10 essential tips for fishing near private property, the benefits of using a drift sock: guidance for anglers, lure fishing: secrets for imitating live bait and attracting fish, explore the untapped depths of america’s best bass fishing spots, outboard motor maintenance: tips for keeping your engine in top shape, the essential boat tool kit: tools every boater needs, diy boat building: 8 tips and tricks for building your own vessel, the art of miniature maritime craftsmanship: ship in a bottle, antifouling paints: a guide to keeping your boat shipshape, beginner’s guide to standup paddle boarding: tips and techniques, boating for fitness: how to stay active on the water, kayak safety: how to stay safe on the water, anchoring in a kayak or canoe: how to secure your small boat, overview of the 2024 yamaha 252sd, overview of the 2024 tiara yachts 48 le, overview of the 2024 bass cat jaguar sts, 2024 pursuit os 445: an overview, 2024 aquila 47 molokai review, 2024 sea-doo switch 13 sport review, gear reviews, megabass oneten max lbo jerkbait review, fortress anchors fx-7 anchoring system review, fortress anchors fx-11 anchoring system review, fortress anchors commando anchor kit review, fortress anchors aluminum anchors review, stay in touch.

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.

• Privacy Policy

Welcome to Lake

Discover places to stay and unique experiences around the world.

• How It Works

Home - Blog - Parts of a Boat: Understanding the Essentials with Ease

Parts of a Boat: Understanding the Essentials with Ease

David Ciccarelli

August 26, 2024

In this article

Get started.

Embarking on a boating adventure requires more than just a sense of excitement; it demands a solid understanding of the vessel beneath your feet. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a curious novice, grasping the fundamental parts of a boat is essential for both safety and enjoyment.

In this article, we break down the key components of a boat in a straightforward and accessible manner. From the hull to the helm and everything in between, you’ll gain the knowledge to confidently identify and understand the various parts that make up these incredible machines.

Boat Anatomy Overview

Let’s dive into the key parts of a boat, focusing on the hull and the deck. These sections are essential for understanding how a boat operates and what makes each type unique.

Understanding the Hull

The hull is the main body of the boat. It’s the part that sits in the water, providing buoyancy. Different types of hull designs include planing, displacement, and semi-displacement.

Planing Hulls: These hulls lift out of the water quickly, reducing drag and enabling faster travel.

Displacement Hulls: These move through the water, offering more stability and smoother rides, especially in rough seas.

A boat’s stability and speed largely depend on its hull type. Larger vessels often have deep V-shaped hulls for better handling in rough waters. The material of the hull can vary from fiberglass to aluminum , each having pros and cons.

The Deck and Its Components

The deck is the flat surface on top of the hull, where you walk and place equipment. Key components here include the bow, stern, and cockpit.

Bow: The front part of the boat. It often has storage compartments or seating areas.

Stern: The back part of the boat. It usually houses the engine if it’s an outboard motor.

Cockpit: The area where you control the boat. It contains the steering wheel, navigation systems, and control panels.

Other important deck parts include the cleats, which secure ropes, and the pulpit, which has a safety rail at the front. Each plays a vital role in the boat’s operation and safety.

Crucial Boat Sections

Bow: The Front End

The bow is the front part of the boat. It’s designed to cut through the water, creating less resistance and helping with smooth navigation. The bow usually has a pointed or rounded shape to achieve better hydrodynamics.

The bow is the first part to meet the water when you’re moving forward . This section also affects the boat’s overall stability and balance. Additionally, many boats have a bowsprit, a pole extending from the bow for attaching sails.

Knowing your bow’s position helps with docking and maneuvering in tight spaces. So, look for it when you’re steering your vessel.

Stern: The Rear End

The stern is the back part of the boat. It’s where you’ll often find the transom, the flat surface at the very end. This area is crucial for mounting the boat’s engine.

When you move aft, you head toward the stern. The stern plays a key role in determining how the boat handles. For instance, a low stern can help with stability in rough waters.

Sometimes, the stern includes a swim platform or ladder for easy access to the water. This part of the boat is especially important if you’re into watersports.

Port Side: Left of the Vessel

The port side is the left side of the boat when you’re facing forward, toward the bow. Mariners use this term to avoid confusion, especially when giving directions.

To help remember, “port” has the same number of letters as “left.” Also, the port side is marked with a red light in the dark to ensure safety and proper navigation at night.

Understanding the port side is essential for proper anchoring and docking. Knowing which side is port helps you communicate better with your crew and other boats when maneuvering.

Starboard Side: Right of the Vessel

The starboard side is the right side of the boat when you’re facing forward. This term helps sailors avoid confusion, especially in emergencies or when coordinating maneuvers.

To remember: “starboard” sounds like “star right.” The starboard side is marked with a green light for nighttime navigation. This ensures everyone on the water knows which direction you’re headed.

Knowing your starboard side helps with many activities, from docking to sailing. It also enhances communication with other boats and your crew, making operations smoother and safer.

Essential Navigation and Control Features

The helm: controlling the boat.

The helm is where you control the boat. It includes the steering wheel or tiller and the rudder, which steers the vessel. It’s usually located in the cockpit or on the flybridge in larger boats, giving you a good view.

Sometimes, the helm also features navigation lights to help you see and be seen at night.

The rudder plays a key role in maneuvering. It’s a flat piece behind the boat that moves back and forth when you turn the wheel or tiller, changing the boat’s direction. Simple, right?

Masts and Sails: The Tools of Sailboats

On a sailboat, the mast stands tall and holds the sails. The sails catch the wind and propel the boat forward. Rigging refers to the ropes and lines that control the sails, including tasks like tacking, which is changing direction with the wind.

The sails come in different types, like the mainsail and the jib. Each has a different role. The mainsail is the big one in the middle, while the jib is smaller and at the front.

Remember, mastering the rigging and sails can greatly affect how smoothly my sailboat glides through the water!

Safety and Mooring Equipment

When it comes to boating , ensuring your vessel’s and crew’s safety is crucial. This includes having the right mooring systems and equipment to secure your boat. Let’s take a closer look at some key components.

Anchor and Cleats: Docking and Anchoring Basics

Every boat needs a reliable anchor to keep it in place when not in motion. Anchors come in various types, such as plow, fluke, or mushroom, each suited for different seabeds. But having the right anchor isn’t enough; you also need strong cleats. Cleats are metal fittings on the deck where you tie off your mooring lines.

Properly using cleat hitch knots ensures that your boat is securely tied to the dock. Always make sure the cleats are bolted down well to avoid mishaps. For safety, keep spare mooring lines on hand.

Fenders: Protecting the Vessel

Fenders are crucial for preventing damage to your boat while it’s docked. These are essentially bumpers that absorb shock and prevent scratches or dents. You can find fenders in various shapes and sizes, from cylindrical to round.

The key is to hang them at the correct height to cushion your boat and the dock or other vessels. Regularly check your fenders for wear and tear, and replace them if they show signs of damage. Always have a couple of extra fenders in storage, just in case.

Engine and Propulsion

A boat’s engine and propulsion system are the heart and muscles that drive it through the water. From various types of engines to the way propellers function, these elements work together to ensure smooth sailing.

Propellers: Turning Energy into Motion

A propeller takes the power from the engine and converts it into thrust, moving the boat forward. Whether the engine is an inboard engine housed within the hull or an outboard engine mounted on the stern, the propeller’s role is crucial.

The propeller blades create a difference in water pressure, pulling water in and pushing it backward, propelling the boat forward. The size and shape of the propeller blades impact speed and efficiency.

Engines and propellers have to be well-matched. For example, a big boat needs a larger propeller to push more water. Maintenance is also vital to keep the system in top shape.

In short, without a functioning propeller, your boat isn’t going anywhere.

Supplementary Boat Parts

Knowing about the extra parts that make it even better is important to enjoy a smooth and safe boating experience. We’ll explore components that keep your boat dry and make recreation more fun.

Bilge and Bulkheads: Keeping Water at Bay

The bilge is the lowest part of the boat, where water can collect. Water can seep in from splashes, leaks, or even rain. A bilge pump is used to pump this water out. Without it, you’d be constantly bailing out water like a sailor in old times! I always recommend having a reliable bilge pump.

Bulkheads are vertical partitions that divide the boat into sections. They give the boat structure and help prevent flooding. Imagine one section getting flooded; bulkheads keep the water from spreading. It’s like having watertight walls inside your boat.

You usually find bilge pumps near the bilge, often installed to pump water out when it reaches a certain level automatically. That way, less worry for you. Bulkheads, meanwhile, are positioned at crucial points to ensure your boat remains stable and safe.

Swim Platforms and Casting Decks: Recreation and Sport

Swim platforms are flat surfaces at the back of the boat, just above the waterline. They make it easy to get in and out of the water. If you like swimming or just dangling your feet in the water, you’ll love it. A good platform should be sturdy and slip-resistant.

Casting decks are spaces on the boat designed for fishing . They give you a stable area to cast your line. These decks often come with livewells to keep your catch fresh. Imagine standing on a firm deck and reeling in a big one without losing your balance—that’s what a casting deck is for.

Both swim platforms and casting decks are designed to enhance fun moments on the water, adding both convenience and enjoyment.

Types and Functions of Boats

There are various types of boats, each designed for different purposes and functions. Some are used for recreation, while others are essential for fishing or transportation.

Local Traditions and Various Vessel Functions

Local traditions often influence boat designs. For example, whaleboats are long and narrow. They’re designed for speed and maneuverability to catch whales.

Fishing boats are equipped with fishing rods, nets, and storage for the catch. Sailboats use sails to harness the wind, making them perfect for leisure and competition.

Here’s a quick look at some boat types for different activities:

• Sailboats: Use wind for movement; used for racing or leisure
• Fishing boats: Equipped to catch and store fish
• Whaleboats: Designed for hunting whales

Each type of boat has unique features tailored to its specific function, influenced by local needs and traditions.

Boating Know-How

Knowing the parts of a boat and the terminology used in boating is essential for safe and effective operation. This guide will help you get familiar with key nautical terms.

Language of the Seas: Nautical Terminology

When you start boating, you need to learn the language of the seas. Nautical terminology helps everyone on board communicate clearly and avoid confusion.

• Bow : The front part of the boat.
• Stern : The back part of the boat.
• Port : The left side of the boat when facing forward.
• Starboard : The right side of the boat when facing forward.

Knowing these terms can help a boater direct the crew more effectively. If someone yells, “Man overboard, port side!” you need to know instantly where to look.

Also, understanding basic sailing terms like tacking and jibing is important.

In addition, a boating license often requires passing a test that includes these terms. So, mastering them isn’t just about being safe—it’s also about being legally compliant.

Study these terms thoroughly before hitting the water. They’ll make your boating experience smoother and safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you call the front section of a boat.

The front of a boat is called the bow. It’s the part that cuts through the water first as you sail. Simple, right?

Can you list the main structural components of a boat?

Sure! Boats have several main parts:

• Hull : The body of the boat
• Deck : The flat surface on top of the hull
• Engine : Powers the boat
• Sails : Used on sailboats to catch the wind

What’s the term for the back end of a boat?

The stern is the back end of a boat . It often influences the boat’s stability and handling.

What are the different sides of a boat known as?

There are specific terms for the sides of a boat:

• Port : The left side when you’re facing forward
• Starboard : The right side when you’re facing forward

Could you name some parts unique to a fishing boat?

Fishing boats have unique parts, such as:

• Livewell : A tank for keeping fish alive
• Rod holders : For securing fishing rods
• Outriggers : Extendable poles for trolling

What common features are found on a yacht?

Yachts often come with luxurious features:

• Cabin : Enclosed space for sleeping and living
• Galley : Boat’s kitchen
• Flybridge : An upper deck with a steering station

administrator

David Ciccarelli, is the Founder and CEO of Lake. He is based in Toronto, Canada, and is an expert in management, business administration, strategy, product development, and customer experience. His educational achievements include the Owner President Management Program at Harvard Business School (2019-2022) and the QuantumShift Program at Ivey Business School in 2017, aimed at CEOs of growing businesses.

• Parts of a Boat

Related Posts

August 18, 2024

Boating: Your 10-Step Guide to Driving a Boat Safely

Boating is one of the most exhilarating ways to embrace […]

Water Skiing Essentials: Tips and Tricks for a Thrilling Experience

Water skiing is an exhilarating surface water sport where individuals […]

May 31, 2024

Wakeboarding Fun: Tips and Techniques for Every Skill Level

Wakeboarding Tips and Techniques, For Beginners and Pros Wakeboarding is […]

Don't have an account yet? Register

Already have an account? Sign In

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.