This summer we've been asking readers to share stories of appalling boater behavior they've witnessed on the water. We'd like to hear more, but just to whet your appetites, here are a couple of the stories we've received so far. Not surprisingly, both of them involve that very special time, anchoring, when personality flaws tend to be magnified.

Thanks to those who have responded. If you've got a story to share, send it to editor@pointseast.com.

The first story comes from Stuart McCalley of Riverside, Conn.



Just following orders
It was a lovely summer afternoon at least 25 years ago. Following an invigorating reach up Vineyard Sound, we anchored our Pearson Vanguard sloop in a snug cove somewhere in Buzzards Bay, but I can't recall the exact harbor. We were one of three or four yachts enjoying our afternoon libations as the sun slowly dropped below the yardarm and as the sou'wester blew itself out.

Suddenly, a rather large, highly plasticized powerboat entered our quietude and churned through the anchorage at far too fast a clip. At the helm, on the flying bridge, was a noisy owner, constantly yelling at his friend on the bow, who kept asking him to repeat himself "louda."

After a very brief tour that left us rolling in their wake, the boat pulled up to a stop with engines in hard reverse. The captain yelled to the bow man, "Trow de ank!"

The bow man replied, "No twing!"

Captain: "Trow de ank!"

Bowman: "No twing!"

All eyes in that harbor were now observing the spectacle. The captain shouted more loudly and more insistently: "Trow de ank!!!"

The bow man shrugged his shoulders, turned around and tossed the anchor over the bow as ordered. Unfortunately, there was no chain or rode of any kind attached. The captain watched as his anchor sank out of sight and then yelled, "What the !@#$%^& are you doin'?"

To which the bowman again shrugged his shoulders and said, " I told ya, no twing!"

I'm pleased to report that after a brief tirade of additional expletives, the captain gunned the engines and barreled out into the bay.

Quiet and dusk descended once again on our little cove.

Another tale of anchoring inadequacy was submitted by Jerry DiBona.



A hat trick of bad behavior
My clearest example of bad behavior took place in Burnt Coat Harbor on Swan's Island. A large (40 to 45 feet) emerald green Endeavor sloop, hailing port Dallas, Texas, entered the harbor and prepared to anchor.

The captain, a very large man in a 10-gallon hat and Breton-red trousers, was poised on the bow, bellowing instructions to the mate at the helm, a petite lady sporting a similar hat.

The anchor and a short bit of chain rattled down and the captain gave the order to back down. The boat backed slowly and it was apparent that the anchor was not grabbing, perhaps due to insufficient scope. In recognition of this, the captain screamed to increase the reverse speed.

The boat was now making a high rate of speed astern, towing an anchor that seemed to be skidding across the bottom. When the captain noticed that they were headed directly for an unoccupied moored lobster boat, he screamed, "STOP!" followed by "!@#$%^&*!."

At this point, the mate screamed back, "Not in that tone of voice!," threw her hat down in the cockpit and descended into the cabin.

A complete disaster was avoided as the spinning propeller gathered up at least three pickup lines from unoccupied mooring balls, which choked off the engine and fastened the boat to the bottom. The usual quiet cocktail hour was penetrated by more "!@#$%^&*!," which finally subsided as darkness fell.

The next morning, a subdued captain and mate apologized to neighboring boats while following the progress of the divers engaged in freeing their propeller. Dangerous, obnoxious, rude...all three!