TyeeTanic

I use an LED work light something like this. http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/images/led-worklight/Gallery/worklight-details.jpg It has a large surface area to cover the spoon/fly/flasher. It's super bright and charges fast. ... and the best thing is it only cost me like $8 or $9 and came with batteries. It's probably the best thing I've come across for charging glowing baits.

Or they can avoid a Collison. No one has the right to collide with any other vessel of they have the option to not collide.

Great Lakes Lure Maker, We are in violent agreement. Read the second half of my post under the "-----------" the headers Rules 8 and 13 is where the SAIL BOATER broke the rules. Rule 8 applies to everyone, even the person who is about to get hit by another negligent rule breaking boater. In my post I was merely saying that because he was going faster doesn't mean the power boat has right of way. For instance if he was going faster and coming from your port side, he still has right of way. The fact that the sail boat was OVERTAKING is the reason he is the give-way vessel. He could slow down (say due to wind) and go slower than you, it does not change the fact that he is still the over-taking vessel until he has passed (or falls back to a safe position). Anyhow, we are both saying the same thing, different ways.

Great Lakes Lure Maker, that is not a marine officer's interpretation. Under power means you have a mechanical propelling device that is on. It is not related to speed at all. So, a sailboat normally has the right of way over a power boat, if not operating an engine/kicker. Here are the Canadian rules, I'm pretty sure US rules are the same, particularly as these apply Internationally. http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._1416/FullText.html Rule 3 General Definitions — International For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires: (a) The word “vessel†includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (b) The term “power-driven vessel†means any vessel propelled by machinery. ('c) The term “sailing vessel†means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. (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. Rule 18 Responsibilities between VesselsExcept where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require: (a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: (i) a vessel not under command, (ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, (iii) a vessel engaged in fishing, (iv) a sailing vessel. -------------------------------------------------- This is where the sailboat was wrong: Rule 8 Action to avoid Collision (a) Any action to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. (d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear. Rule 13 Overtaking — International (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of Part B, Sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. (d) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these Rules or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear. There's more here, that makes it clear that the boat that is overtaking is the give-way boat, and the boat being passed is the stand-on boat. http://navruleshandbook.com/Rule13.html

A sailboat is considered having less maneuverability when not under power than a person with lines in the water. Your vessel still has LOTs of maneuverability with lines in the water. You just don't want to tangle those lines, as it will cost a pretty penny, but that can't stop you from powering down or turning sharply if you needed to to avoid an accident. However, you are correct in saying that a vessel cannot yield if he is being over-taken. You can only yield if you are approaching something. So that's where the sailboater is dead wrong. I am a fisherman, and I've seen sailboats, and other power boats do some pretty crazy stuff out there. And as the OP states, we have 100 miles of lake on either side of us, and don't understand why anybody thinks they need to be within 20 ft of the only other boat out there. It's literally stupid at its best.

The law also says that any captain must do his/her best to avoid an accident, whether you're on a sailboat or not. You are not in a yield position if you are being over-taken. You can only yield if you have someone approaching from ahead. The sail boater clearly broke several rules. Next time (hopefully not a next time) take out your phone and start videoing him. Don't try and be nice about it. If he had hit you, then everyone's life is at risk. I would caution him off and take the phone out to ease the erratic behaviour. Most times (actually the few times I've had to do this), taking out the phone and make sure they know you are taking pictures or video, will get them to alter their direction and behaviour.