Lakes are driving me nuts...

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Took the boat to Greenwood Lake. For those who are unfamiliar with this lake, it crosses the border of NJ/NY, has about 1920 acres of water, long w/a few islands. Had overheating problems from all the lake grass and weeds. Ended up calling 911 to get the Coast Guard sent to save us. While we waited, the motor cooled down and I got everything going. We passed the Coast Guard boat and flagged them down and told them what happened. They were great guys and escorted us back to the marina in case we had problems. At one point one of the Guards said to follow them and run the boat wide open to clean out any weeds that might still be there. So I did and everything was good and we took the boat out and went home.<br /><br />Are all the lakes around here choked with grass and weeds in the shallow areas? It is not very enjoyable having to worry about overheating. I have not run into any conditions like this while out on salt water. And I am beginning to realize that waves and currents behave differently on a lake vs a bay. <br /><br />This is only my second season as a boat owner (before I just got rides on other peoples boats) and I am beginning to learn the subtle differences about fresh vs salt water boating. <br /><br />I do believe I like salt water better.
 

swist

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
678
Re: Lakes are driving me nuts...

A lot of smaller lakes are in the same trouble - there is too much runoff of fertilizer and lawn care chemicals which screws up the ecological balance in the lakes (plant as well as animal). Causes too much growth of some things and kills off other things.
 

NYMINUTE

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
3,298
Re: Lakes are driving me nuts...

Not much different here in the Mid West. Funds for removal are usually low.
 

Moody Blue

Captain
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
3,136
Re: Lakes are driving me nuts...

Weeds and algae are problems here as well and this lake is more than 207,000 acres. Very big agricuiltural industry as well as increasing residential developments are putting huge amounts of phosphorus into the lake. A more seasonal problem here is garbage bags in the water. Ice fishing is a huge industry here and you would be amazed at all the crap left behind by the anglers. When the ice melts it all gets dumped into the lake. The motor picks up a submerged plastic bag and before you know it your motor is overheated. Seen it happen twice this season already. I'm very cautious the first few weeks out.
 

cimy3

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 24, 2003
Messages
97
Re: Lakes are driving me nuts...

Ocean vs. Lakes. I will take a lake everytime. I boat on Lake Ontario and the Fingerlakes... great for playing or fishing. No weed problem yet.
 
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