My neighbor down the street recently named his boat Smile and Wave. Growing up fishing, water skiing and general boating on the lowcountry waters I remember when smiling and waving was the norm as you passed fellow boaters. I distinctly recall about 15 years ago taking a group of friends from the upstate water skiing in the Stono River. We left from the James Island Yacht Club and passed several dozen boats in route to the Stono. Every boat we passed took time to smile and wave; finally one of my friends asked, Tim, do you I know everyone in Charleston that owns a boat? I explained that the vast majority of the folks we passed were simply nice people; that were out relaxing, having a good time on the water, and being polite.
A few weeks back during an unseasonably warm day my wife and I decided to take our boys for a boat ride up the Intracoastal Waterway to Bulls Bay and back. We passed well over 50 boats throughout the day and I am sad to report that smiling and waving is no longer the norm. If I had to guess I would say that less than 30% of those we passed even acknowledged another boat passing. The experience is now almost like riding the subway in New York where the locals all say, avoid eye contact with others. We also found out that slowing down when overtaking smaller boats or when operating in the at times tight and congested waters behind Isle of Palms is no longer the norm either.
Perhaps I am getting old, or maybe I am just old fashioned, or it could be that I am just too southern; but what the heck is wrong with people these days? When traveling in the ICW becomes like traveling in rush hour traffic it is no longer fun for any one. Slow down, smile, wave, you are on the water to relax right?
Tight lines
Captain Tim Pickett
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