Quote:
Originally Posted by elchase
Why are some people on this forum so sensitive and argumentative? I chose the wrong word. I was not PC. I apologized. I should not have implied that sailing seemed less safe when boats were allowed to drive as fast as they wanted. I should have put it a way that I think everyone can agree...it was crazy out there. I should have just said what I think we all agree on...the lake is much saner this year. I had lost my interest in fishing and sailing before last summer. I was just not enjoying these more passive activities in the aggressive environment that our lake had become. I had given up much of my boating too. Just as you are allowed to your opinion, I am entitled to mine, and that is it. Last summer, things started to seem more sane. I don't know why. The economy and weather were not excuses then. We did not have "the law" yet, although I suppose the MP test did have many boaters slowing down. But whatever the reason, last summer was great. This summer is better. I am sailing and fishing again and enjoying both. I'm hearing a lot of friends say the same things. Please don't put words in my mouth or try to make this into a speed limit debate so you can have me blackballed from the forum. I know from what I've seen in other threads how those who dare express disagreement with the "speed limits are bad" attitude are persecuted and branded trolls. That is not me. But that does not mean I have to wimp out and pretend I don't like the present environment on the lake.
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Elchase, there is no question that the lake is saner this year. Unfortunately, a great many, myself included, believe that the real reason is the poor economy. We have all seen many boats that have never even been uncovered for the season- the owners just decided to leave them winterized. I think when the economy improves, we will see a return of most of the craziness.
I do disagree with your point about last summer- gas on the lake was pushing or exceeded $5/gallon, virtually everyone became more thrifty and boated less- I believe there was even a poll regarding it.
Many of us who are percieved as anti-speed limit don't even own or want to own boats that can break it (I almost got lapped by a pontoon boat a few weeks ago!). Most of us own and use canoes and sailboats (Lazer in our case). When not sailing, my 14 year old son and his 11 year old sister can often be found in his 12 foot skiff with an 8 horse Merc patrolling the Greens Basin end of the lake. I have a vested interest in keeping the lake as safe as possible.
The real us versus them needs to become the safe boater versus the bonehead boater, not slow versus fast. The answer is to rid the lake of bad boaters. There is no way that many boaters on the lake studied for and passed their boating certificate course. Even though my son is not old enough to take his safety course, I had him study and pass the practice test prior to allowing him to boat alone.
I was sincere in my comment about sharing the lake- I want to do so with good boaters, slow and fast. I want to eradicate bad boaters, slow and fast.
I apologize if I misread your original post and hope you enjoy the fabulous weather we are supposed to have today.