Endeavor, it sounds like you're a watercraft CM, so I'll ask you a question as one who has rented these boats since back in the days when they were called "water sprites" - if I'm going through the channel, in the no wake zone, and one of the big cruisers comes up behind me, should I speed up to get out of his way?
It would mean going faster than the "idle" speed, but my wake will be a lot smaller than what the cruiser will produce right behind me anyway.
Thanks for your input - looking forward to visiting later this month. Weather permitting, we'll be boating again.
In 'No Wake" zones, such as the Waterbridge Channel connecting 7 Seas Lagoon with Bay Lake, just move over safely to the right - no need to speed up.
Also, in this channel Searaycer renters need to occasionally look
behind them to check for other boats - it seems most times, many renters are oblivious to anything to their stern - sometimes
, Watercraft CMs piloting motor cruisers will, while still maintaining a safe distance, 'sneak up' on an oblivious Searaycer and lay on the cruiser's air horn just to see the surprised
Searaycer operator whip their head around getting a mild form of 'whiplash'.
Also, although not posted as with the Water Bridge Channel, the areas within 150' of all of the docks are considered
No Wake zones. Unfortunately, this seems to not be commonly known. Although small boats, nevertheless, the wakes from Searaycers passing too close to docks at speed with a WDW Watercraft motor launch at the dock results in quasi-violent rocking of the launch presenting a safety hazard to guests boarding or disembarking the launch, and, to a lesser degree, the motor cruisers.
Irishhockey: Regarding No Wake Zones and Watercraft route 'maps', one of the OPs correctly outlined the paths of the WDW Watercraft routes. In addition, on Bay Lake, the 2
Blue flag motor launches run between the CR, WL and the FWC in a circular route - clockwise until 3 p.m. and counterclockwise after 3 p.m. I know of no publicly available maps that show the Watercraft routes and no wake zones on the 2 lakes.
FYI - WDW Watercraft stopping distances (under full Emergency STOP conditions from full speed and calm water conditions with no guests onboard)
Ferry Boats (190 tons): 2+ boat lengths = 240'+
Motor Cruisers (20 tons): 1+ boat length = 70'+-
Motor Launches (10 tons): 1+ boat length = 45' +-
The most frequent Searaycer offences seem to be related to the ferry boat channel that runs in a somewhat straight line between the MK and the TTC. Some years ago, and not personally witnessed, a woman, obviously TOTALLY oblivious to the oncoming ferry boat, decide to stop her small boat right in front of a ferry boat in the middle of the ferry boat channel to take a picture. The result was not very pretty with the 'Cusinart' effect of the forward ferry boat prop on her and her smallboat.
Other frequent Searaycer offences include:
1. Wake jumping too close to the sterns of the WDW Watercraft.
2. Driving too close to the WDW Watercraft.
3. Going full speed too close to docks and docked WDW Watercraft.
4. Reckless operation near other boats.
To summarize my and the other postings here, you now have some guidelines on what to consider when operating rental watercraft on 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
It certainly seems that many WDW guests renting boats have been lulled into some false sense of security for whatever reason during their visit and forget that all boats can be dangerous if not safely and properly operated.
As it was once said during the WDW traditions course for all new WDW CMS:
"Always remember and never forget that many guests visiting WDW have left their brains at home."
