I'm an idealist too, although also a realist. If someone did something that harmed me, I had an injury, I would want to hold them accountable, but to me that involves either insurance or law enforcement, not me avenging the act. However, I also follow the no harm, no foul rule. I am not going to make myself miserable by carrying anger about everything done that I didn't like.
Now, I do find your comment on water vs. land interesting. I use to remark on the lake how nice people were including many that I knew in their jobs were horrible to deal with. People I've met on the water seem that way as a whole. More relaxed, less stressed, and less angry than on land. However, there are exceptions. They're primarily those who think the waterways should be theirs and completely follow their rules. Some just feel like their way is the only way. Some resent some of the others on the water.
One thing I've learned too is that I can't control what others do, so how do I make things better for myself. That's not through vandalizing. Sometimes it's even hard learned lessons. I know one thing is being secure in the helm seat and having others securely seated when chances of wakes or rough seas are there. I've boated all my life and one thing I learned early was that there was a guarantee of wakes from other boats. I then learned to be on the lookout for other boats speeding by my bow, unaware of how fast I was approaching and forcing me to slow down. I've learned that I can try all I want and there will still be someone upset over my wake or what they perceive. Living in South Florida I've learned some people will be upset they can't anchor everywhere and some will be upset with them anchoring anywhere.
It's supposed to be pleasure boating. When someone gets injured like the OP it clearly isn't. However, when there is not an injury, then I can't see how seeking revenge or even continuing to be angry makes things more pleasurable. I assume when someone cuts across my bow or passes too close or does something else I don't like, that it was not intentional, that they didn't realize. Why do I assume that? Because it makes my day more pleasant.
Every once in awhile the insurance company will send us a bill asking if the treatment was caused by an accident involving others. Most of the time the answer is no but one time it was and I assume the insurance companies had a chat and I assume some money was exchanged.
