Boating regulations

So I'm guessing knowledge of boating regs is pretty thin out there.  I had a PB intentionally run into me last night on the willy.  It wasn't really a collision as I just pushed his bow away from my kayak, at about 4mph.  I was tying up a rig and knew I had the right of way as I drifted downstream.  He was trolling upstream at a slight angle and refused to adjust his line even though I gave him polite verbal cues at about 60' then 30 then 10.  He said "kayaks don't belong on the Willamette River, they just belong in lakes". 
And, "I was just going in a straight line and you got in my way".  I told him he should read the regs.  I later pulled out my camera phone.  This was a low risk encounter, but I think it shows both the low level of understanding of the regs, plus a prevalent attitude about kayaks.  By the way, he did later say "good luck in that thing".  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was sincere.  I'm sure he's normally a nice guy and certainly is being a good dad by taking the kid fishing.  Maybe we'll joke about it over a beer one day.  I had photos of him and his boat on here initially, but want to take the high road and keep this to a clean debate on regs.

You should report his azz. I believe paddle craft have the right of way unless its commercial traffic.

Now, I'm not going to admit I know all the rules.  But am I interpreting this wrong?  I'm certain I didn't endanger him.  See last bullet:

Basic boat traffic rules: (ORS 830.340)

    *Meeting head-on — Except when risk of collision exists, boaters must bear right and pass on the other boat's left side.
    *Crossing — When approaching at an angle, the boat on the right side has right-of-way.
    *Passing — A boat may overtake another boat on either side, but must grant right-of-way to the boat that is overtaken.
    *Boats proceeding downriver have right-of-way over boats proceeding upriver. Note: Having the right-of-way does not allow the operator to endanger others.

Paddle boats have right of way over motor or sailboats in all situations. 99% of PB guys are cool but there is always the 1% who are jerks. All that said, I always give right of way to PB's. Sometimes they are jerks, sometimes they are drunk and sometimes nobody is at the helm. When you are in a kayak, you don't want to take that chance. Just make sure they see your stringer when you head in. We used to get a lot of smack fishing white sea bass in kayaks. When we started out fishing many of the PBs, the smack talked stopped. Just smile and let your rods and reels do your talking.

I think compliance with the laws of physics is more certain than a PB's compliance with the COLREGS or state law...  Especially the Law of Tonnage, we are invariably on the losing end of that one.   I would be inclined to report him, personally, but I would not have gone as far as you did in allowing contact. 

Jim

Wow. That is really unfortunate. I'll relate a similar problem: On the Willamette Sunday I had a jet ski circle within 20 ft. of my wife's kayak at about 20mph, and we were literally a few yards off shore (maybe 15-25 feet from shore), AND we were in a no wake zone of a boat landing area. I don't even know where to start...

I truly do believe that these encounters represent the vast minority of other users of the water, but it is unfortunate it happens at all. When it's busy out I try pretty hard to stay out of the way of other faster moving craft, but that is not the whole solution.

I agree, to a point, with the "let your stringer do the talking" mentality, but the point is we have every bit as much right to use the water as anyone else, even if we're not fishing.

I get that you don't want to make this inflammatory, but I don't understand why posting this guy's photo (or at least reporting him) is such a bad thing. At least then I can avoid him.

Wow. That is really unfortunate. I'll relate a similar problem: On the Willamette Sunday I had a jet ski circle within 20 ft. of my wife's kayak at about 20mph, and we were literally a few yards off shore (maybe 15-25 feet from shore), AND we were in a no wake zone of a boat landing area. I don't even know where to start... 

you would have been very correct to report that jet ski operator, obvious violation:

Owners/operators of personal watercraft must: (OAR 250-021-0030)...

observe Slow-no wake, maximum 5 mph speed limit:
  -within 200' of a swimmer, surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler; dock, swim float, ramp, pier, marina, floating home, or boathouse;
  -within 100' of any anchored or non-motorized vessel;
  -within 200' of shoreline on all lakes, reservoirs, and bays, "safe" (see page ii) take-off excepted;

Maybe we as a group need to get the marine patrol law enforcement to come out and observe some of the blatant violations of power boaters near paddle craft and if there giving tickets out I'm sure that will speak louder then our stringers.   

Don't get me wrong - the PB'ers were absolutely at fault in this instance, and sounded like complete dicks at that.

That said, I generally try to navigate my kayak on the assumption that PB'ers aren't going to give me the right of way in a given situation, because they rarely do, whether they're in the right or not.

Maybe we as a group need to get the marine patrol law enforcement to come out and observe some of the blatant violations of power boaters near paddle craft and if there giving tickets out I'm sure that will speak louder then our stringers.

Yeah, good luck with that. 

Even though I fully agree.

Yes, again I knew no physical harm was going to happen.  And I do have common sense and was certainly ready to back away, but wanted to see if he intended to turn away at the last moment.  Also, I don't want to make enemies with the PB crowd.  We all need to support each other and us kayakers may someday need assistance from a PB.  Mostly I posted this for awareness and discussion on the regs.  They certainly are easy to find online, but aren't broadly understood or followed.

My number one rule of boating is yield to tonnage.
I assume every boat is going to run me over and take it upon myself to stay out of their way.
Now a guy being a dick on the river is unfortunately just a dick. The world is full of them and if you let them ruin your day you will have less enjoyment in your life.

I prefer to smile and wave to assholes, they generally don't have much to say after that.

My number one rule of boating is yield to tonnage.
I assume every boat is going to run me over and take it upon myself to stay out of their way.
Now a guy being a dick on the river is unfortunately just a dick. The world is full of them and if you let them ruin your day you will have less enjoyment in your life.

I prefer to smile and wave to assholes, they generally don't have much to say after that.

+1 Pretty much my exact approach. I cannot recall a time where i have cut across a boat and thought "They need to yield to me."  I have been on enough powerboats.  I know the booze and distractions that go on.  NEVER rely on the assumption the law protects you.  It should be irrelevant as it pertains to your safety at that moment. 

I've been waked a few times.  I know it was on purpose.  They were trying to scare us off.  Many more times, i think a boat has gone zooming by a tad close just out of curiosity.   I typically just wave or maybe casually side saddle and light a cigarette.  Let the wake go by.  A gopro is a good deterrent.  They seem to behave better when they can see you have one. 

As far as gathering a posse and teaming up with Johnny Law.  I'd discourage any group vs group conflict.  remember, I am sure there aren't any amongst us, but there are A$$ hat kayakers too.  However, reporting said PB A$$hats is probably a good idea.  If they are repeat offenders, they probably are unsafe to other boaters as well.  And you wouldn't want them to hurt somebody else and later wonder "dang, I wish I had call them in before they got hurt."  I know its not ever quite cut and dry like that but that's my two cents.  lol. 

I agree, to a point, with the "let your stringer do the talking" mentality, but the point is we have every bit as much right to use the water as anyone else, even if we're not fishing.

I get that you don't want to make this inflammatory, but I don't understand why posting this guy's photo (or at least reporting him) is such a bad thing. At least then I can avoid him.

I think taking photos or taking video is a great idea and I always do that in these situations. Knowing you are being videotaped is a future deterrent even if you don't post it on Youtube. Reporting them if it was a serious incident is reasonable too. I have had some pretty hairy close encounters with PB's and stick boats on the open ocean. Most of the time, I wasn't sure they could see me even though I always roll with flag and full nav lights. In this situation, the guy was clearly a jerk. If you report him would it change his point of view? It's a tough issue but for safety sake, please give right of way. What you do afterwards is your decision.

Now a guy being a dick on the river is unfortunately just a dick. The world is full of them and if you let them ruin your day you will have less enjoyment in your life.

Great line for a poster .... :-).  Or internet meme.