Lot more new boaters and large wakes?

[hostage]

I mostly trailer my boat, though this year I wanted to try a dry slip to avoid the lines of the ramp and compel myself to go out more as I spent more money for it. As I wasn't going to a public launch, I thought I would avoid most of the memorial day craziness. Though I was wrong, it felt like there were even more boats than usual on the lake and I was suprised and annoyed at how many people were throwing out a huge wake as they plowed at lowerspeeds through the water. There were two Natique boats that looked like they forgot their wake boarders a couple miles back as they put out huge wakes w/o towing anyone. I had to throw in the towel early as my kiddo got sea sick and ended up tossing her cookies. I think I am done with holiday boating, as there are a lot more newbies on the lake with no concern about how big their wake is and how close they are to shore. Feels like the increased popularity in boating has a double edge sword.

I have a 19' boat and hope that going to something like a 23' might be a little more stable, when it comes to boating traffic.

 

[paulswagelock]

I understand the wake boat craze, although I was bored after about 10 minutes of doing it behind a friends boat. I agree though, many of the wakeboat operators are careless with their wakes and damage it causes.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Holiday weekends are the worst. You get many more inconsiderate or clueless boaters and it can really suck the fun out of a boat outing.

 

[jimmbo]

Government aRegulators need to address the Problem(s) regarding Monster Wakes, as these things have damaged Nesting Areas for many Birds that nest along Shorelines in addition to the Havoc they create for other Boaters. They also should address the Racket from Unsilenced Exhausts.
A simple solution would be No Wakeboarding allowed within 8 miles of a Shoreline, and the same Restriction regarding Unsilenced Exhaust. That would solve the problems at most lakes, most are less than 17 miles between Shorelines

 

[JimS123]

The boating boom of the late 1980's made the waterways a bit crowded. Then things slowed down a bit.

Covid caused another boom and now the waters are tooooo crowded.

We never boated on a holiday anyway, but now we refuse to go out on weekends as well.

 

[Silvertip]

Alcohol use while boating is another very big issue. A buddy and I were fishing early season in a small quiet bay along with a couple other boats. A boater barreled into the bay chopped the throttle, radio blasting, popped a couple beers and left in the same fashion. Fishing was obviously over in that bay for a couple hours. But yes, inconsiderate folks can muck up fun time on the water.

 

[racerone]

Those folks are everywhere these days.-----I now pull over to let impatient drivers go by on my drive into town.----More folks passing going up hill as well.----And no I am not driving that slow myself.

 

[1960 Starflite]

I mostly trailer my boat, though this year I wanted to try a dry slip to avoid the lines of the ramp and compel myself to go out more as I spent more money for it. As I wasn't going to a public launch, I thought I would avoid most of the memorial day craziness. Though I was wrong, it felt like there were even more boats than usual on the lake and I was suprised and annoyed at how many people were throwing out a huge wake as they plowed at lowerspeeds through the water. There were two Natique boats that looked like they forgot their wake boarders a couple miles back as they put out huge wakes w/o towing anyone. I had to throw in the towel early as my kiddo got sea sick and ended up tossing her cookies. I think I am done with holiday boating, as there are a lot more newbies on the lake with no concern about how big their wake is and how close they are to shore. Feels like the increased popularity in boating has a double edge sword.

I have a 19' boat and hope that going to something like a 23' might be a little more stable, when it comes to boating traffic.

Sounds like Buckeye Lake in Ohio. I've lived on it for 30+ years. City folk crowd it every weekend. We don't leave the dock on weekends.

 

[mr 88]

Lot of bitchin about people using there boats for there intended purposes, could be wake boarding or just a party barge. Generally speaking if you want smooth water you are on the water by 9 and off around lunch time. Then back out after 5-6 when the majority of newbies head back to the ramp. Fishermen know the drill , not that hard to figure out .

 

[hostage]

Lot of bitchin about people using there boats for there intended purposes, could be wake boarding or just a party barge. Generally speaking if you want smooth water you are on the water by 9 and off around lunch time. Then back out after 5-6 when the majority of newbies head back to the ramp. Fishermen know the drill , not that hard to figure out .

Wake boarding boat with huge wakes and no wake boarders. Would be okay if they had someone behind them, though they need to empty their ballast and retract the tabs that make a huge wake if they aren't pulling anyone. Crusing around like that wastes gas and gives others grief. This is coming from someone who likes water sports too.

 

[JimS123]

Lot of bitchin about people using there boats for there intended purposes, could be wake boarding or just a party barge. Generally speaking if you want smooth water you are on the water by 9 and off around lunch time. Then back out after 5-6 when the majority of newbies head back to the ramp. Fishermen know the drill , not that hard to figure out .

Boating, driving, birdwatching, bicycle riding, whatever, pffffft. It's all the same.

When someone irresponsibly bothers someone else, then bitching is allowed.

 

[Quinc]

I feel the opposite way. I want more boats with larger wakes. I went to the lake on memorial weekend and was only a couple boats and the wakes weren't that great.

 

[JimS123]

I feel the opposite way. I want more boats with larger wakes. I went to the lake on memorial weekend and was only a couple boats and the wakes weren't that great.

That is the very reason that some people simply hate jetskis. Regardless, wake jumping in mt area will get you a ticket from the water cops.

In the last 20 or so years there have been 3 deaths on my little stretch of the river.

OTOH, Cypress Gardens is fair game.

 

[Quinc]

That is the very reason that some people simply hate jetskis. Regardless, wake jumping in mt area will get you a ticket from the water cops.

In the last 20 or so years there have been 3 deaths on my little stretch of the river.

OTOH, Cypress Gardens is fair game.

Nothing wrong with thinning out the dumb ones. Here as long as you are 100ft + behind the boat you can jump them. So the bigger the better.

*Should also note the people on stand up jetskis are a little more aware and much better riders(takes some skill and practice) compared to the people who jump on a sit down couch and go 60+ mph across the lake.

 

[jimmbo]

Kind of like saying someone who stands on a Motorbike is a better rider.
Anyone who stands on a Motorbike or one on a Lake Lice when it is motion really isn't too bright, or swift.

 

[JimS123]

*Should also note the people on stand up jetskis are a little more aware and much better riders(takes some skill and practice) compared to the people who jump on a sit down couch and go 60+ mph across the lake.

You're probably right about that.

Jetskis came and gone and then couches became popular. The standup guys always poopooed the couches, but the truth is that the standups would have been extinct if the couches had not introduced the sport to the public.

Being more aware and better riders? That's only an opinion.

I must say that I have been a PWC guy for 25+ years. In addition to my other fishing, family and vacation boats. So, I'm not on the other side, as they say. Problems and bad press about 'skis have been the idiots own doing.

My opinion is that I go out to enjoy the day on the water. If by any stretch of the imagination I am bothering other people, I'll move. If you bother ME, sucks to be you. It's all about responsibility and being nice to your neighbors.

And another note.......we live in a sick society with the freeking govmt anxious to put us all down. Pi$$ off enough people and your rights to standup might just be taken away.

 

[jimmbo]

I had one of the Lake Lice slam in to the back of my Boat one time when I cut the throttle. The rider had a few lacerations, but he would heal, the Boat didn't

 

[JimS123]

I had one of the Lake Lice slam in to the back of my Boat one time when I cut the throttle. The rider had a few lacerations, but he would heal, the Boat didn't

I was at plane once and had a waterbug jumping my wake. He was within the 100 ft limit, so he was an $$$$$$$. I punched the throttle and turned hard to port to get out of his way. When he hit my last wake the ski went airborne and apparently he hit the dash with his face. My last view of him showed he was bleeding profusely from the face and nose, but speeding away back to the dock.

I guess he wasn't one of those "aware better riders"......LOL.

Once again, I AM a PWC rider. But I don't bother other people. Additionally, I follow the rules of the road and stay away from other boaters. But I can't tell you how many gofasts have tried to run me down. The typical owner of these $100,000+ boats are fat bald old guys with more money than brains, with a large breasted blonde (younger) girls on their lap, that need to be impressed. But, don't get me started on THAT subject.

 

[dingbat]

Run into very few "inconsiderates" out here

 

[jimmbo]

Once again, I AM a PWC rider. But I don't bother other people. Additionally, I follow the rules of the road and stay away from other boaters.

You are a Rarity then. Where I boat, the LL are on plane running Parallel to the Dock(s), sending boats bouncing and Slamming in to the Docks. Speed Limits, 12km/hr in one Bay, with 3 limited Entrances/Exits are completely ignored by them. I have pictures of the Wildlife Officers hauling one down, in that Bay