Don... Thanks for what seems like our own little place to debate this hot button topic. It will be nice to debate how to turn lemons into lemonade.
Mee & Mac... well said! I think that everyones opinion should be treated with respect. Both sides of the issue have some very valid points, they just disagree albiet strongly about how to go about it. All sides need to keep the name calling to themselves.
PM203... didn't mean to dump on you, but you got the hint.
Bear Islander... Fear is never a good reason for legislation that limits an individuals personal freedom. It should be that absolute last resort after all else has failed.
I would be careful swimming off your dock as well, especially considering the picture you posted of your own boat driving by it, approximately 4' away, while on plane! Probably traveling at about 25 MPH or so? I also understand that some people don't want to take thier boats out on the weekends because they are afraid. The real question is, afraid of what exactly? Getting hit by a Performance Boat? Or just getting hit by a boat in general? Is it because they have a small boat? Be honest, they are concerned about being hit in general. I doubt boat size matters all that much as long as it is bigger than thier boat. Your little slice of the lake is extremely busy and rough on weekends. A speed limit is going to do nothing to alleviate those conditions. Its also going to do nothing when a noisy boat idles thru the NWZ by the Post Office at 3am, and gets back on plane just past your house either.
A Camp Director should be VERY concerned about ANY powerboats near children that are traveling at ANY speed. That being said, it is his responsibility to make sure the children are safe and after hearing one of them speak, I am sure its a charge they don't take lightly. There are many ways that will help to improve the safety of the children yet not restrict another individuals personal freedom. All of the kids on the water in kayaks or canoes should be in brightly safety orange painted boats with bright orange lifejackets. Perhaps putting in a string of NWZ marker bouys 150' off the camp? I don't think the MP would balk, and certainly I think most, if not all boaters would be for it. Perhaps even help pay for them. The busiest times for boating are friday afternoon until sunday afternoon. The kids are usually at the camps for a week or two at a time. They could limit thier excursions beyond the 150' safety mark to the 4.5 days of the week when the lake isn't busy. They could/should have a larger motorboat idling with the kids as they paddle or sail beyond the 150' safety zone, perhaps flying a big orange flag. Sailboats should be highly visible just because of thier sails, but safety orange sails would be a good thing. Kids who want to go swimming beyond the swim markers should be required to wear a bright orange PFD and not be allowed to venture beyond the proposed 150' NWZ markers. This proposal doesn't infringe on the kids freedom right to enjoy the lake, nor the boaters freedom. It actually makes for a much safer environment for the kids.
APS... Pix can be decieving as all of the boats are pretty much in the same spot. because of this it is very difficult to judge the actual distance between the boats. You can't really judge speed in the pic either. Assuming your pic is correct, I think that education will help to solve thew 150' violation.
EVERYBODY should be REQUIRED to have a SAFE BOATERS CERTIFICATE! NO EXCEPTIONS! My personal freedom should not be infringed upon because a marina owner wants to rent an 1800lb boat for $200/hr to someone who has a credit card with room for a $2500 damage claim, yet posesses no working knowledge of the rules & regulations except for a 20 question quiz and no experience with boat handling!
I think if we restricted boat rentals to those who people who posses a Safe Boaters Certificate, tour companies like the Winni Water Taxi would be a viable, thriving yet safe business.
Woodsy
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