Are you a real boater? (Informal Boating Quiz)

[Skunk]

Come In, the Water's Fine

Posted: July 1, 2009 10:09 p.m.

by Paul Smith, Outdoors Editor, JSOnline

So you own a boat, maybe a fishing craft or a swift cruiser with diesel in-boards or a multi-use V-hull or a kayak or a sailing vessel.

You're not alone. More than 17 million recreational boats are on American waters this year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Perhaps you consider it the best purchase of your life. Perhaps.

Or maybe you think it's a hole in the water into which you pour money.

With two Great Lakes, 15,000 smaller ones and thousands of navigable river miles, Wisconsin is prime boating country, at least when the water isn't hard.

On the threshold of the Fourth of July weekend, most Badger State boaters have their craft ship-shape and in the water.

Owning a boat is one thing. Using it safely and responsibly is another.

We've assembled a quiz to help you answer the question: Are you a real boater?

First question: Have you ever forgotten to replace the drain plug?

The moment you realize your boat is taking on water through the drain hole is memorable. It's also quite common.

In the tongue-in-cheek words of BoatUS, "scrambling to contort over the transom to install the plug, or rushing to get the boat back on the trailer faster than a NASCAR pit crew really means you've arrived in recreational boating."

If it's happened to you once, here's 10 points. It shows you're human and you're more likely to never let it happen again. If it's happened more than once, deduct 10 points. You might be more suited to being a first mate or dishwasher.

If it's never happened to you and you've got more than 10 years of boating experience, take 20 points.

Two: Have you taken a boating safety course?

You might think you know everything, but even experienced boaters learn at least a thing or two when they take an official course. They are offered by the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Power Squadron and some local units of law enforcement. They are also available over the Internet. See the DNR's Web site at www.dnr.state.wi.us for more information.

If you've passed such a course, take 20 points. If you've never taken one, it's a big zero.

In our society it wouldn't fly to have new drivers out on the roads without proper education. The same should be true of the waterways.

Three: Do you have "raccoon eyes?" The boaters' tan is a function of wearing sunglasses, sunshine and significant time on the water. The reflection off the water makes the sun's rays doubly intense.

If you've got the mask-like whiteness around the nose, eyes and forehead, here's 10 points for experience. If you've spent more than 100 hours on the water this year and have an even, light tan around your eyes, then take 20 points for being especially good with sunscreen.

Four: Have you met Basil Ryan or another Boating Ambassador this year? Ryan is a coordinator for the state's Boating Ambassador program, a mostly volunteer effort to help boaters avoid accidents and citations.

Now in its fourth year, the program has helped thousands of boaters in southeastern Wisconsin.

"Most people are happy to see us," said Ryan, 72, of Franklin. "When we tell them we can help them avoid fines and costly repairs, their ears perk up."

Others aren't so receptive. Ryan told of a recent conversation he had with a new boater on an area lake. The registration sticker on the boat was incomplete. When Ryan pointed it out, the boater said she would just "tell them I'm new and don't know the rules."

She got her chance to say it to a lake patrol later that day. She also got a ticket.

Boating Ambassadors set up shop at public boat ramps and perform free, cursory boat inspections. They also pass along lots of helpful information, including preventing the spread of invasive species and avoiding the use of alcohol.

If you've met Basil or one of his associates and took their advice, here's 20 points. It shows you've been on the water and are receptive to well-informed guidance.

If you haven't met them, but have spent more than 100 hours on the water, do not consume alcohol while boating and have not had a violation or an accident, take 20 points.

If you've had even one drink while operating a boat this year, deduct 20 points. There are few more direct links than the one between alcohol consumption and boating accidents.

Five: Do you have a name for your boat?

According to a 2007 survey by BoatUS, among the most common boat names were: "Black Pearl" from Pirates of the Caribbean movie fame; "Liberty" though not likely a reference to financial freedom; "Dog House" perhaps related to the place the spouse sent you; and "Carpe Diem," the Latin phrase for "seize the day."

If you have a boat name, here's 20 points. It shows you've got a relationship with your vessel, hopefully a caring one.

If you don't have a name, take 20 points, anyway. What really matters is what you do with the boat, not what you call it.

In our decidedly unofficial quiz, if you scored 100 you are a model of boating safety and we'd be happy to be a passenger on your boat any day. Do you have a grill and fishing tackle on board?

If you scored 90, you are likely a safe boater who is a credit to our waterways.

If you scored 80, you might have a memory problem. Or are often distracted. Remember to say "plug and play" before you put the boat in the water.

If you tallied less than 80, consider enrolling in a boating safety course. This summer. When the lessons can be put to good use.

Happy and safe boating to all of you - real and aspiring boaters - this Independence Day holiday.

Send e-mail to psmith@journalsentinel.com

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/49652137.html

[Cheesehead]

I have left out the drain plug and done raccoon eyes.

Cheese

[Savage_99]

SKUNK,

That survey seems rather shallow and incomplete.  I did not bother to answer it for that reason.

We have a 35' boat and have sailed it and the ones before it for the last four decades.

I know you mean well. 

Thanks

[Skunk]

Well, it was listed as informal. I think the author was just having some fun and didn't really intend the quiz to be too serious. I'm thinking he just wanted to get the point across about boating safety. Might have been his way of simply saying, "have a fun and safe 4th of July." By the way, very cool picture of the high seas, Savage.