Island Lover...
You didn't answer my question... Are you saying the Lake Wicwas accident was due to excessive speed?
Secondly, who has said anything about 200 MPH boats? I know that in order to buy a boat that goes anywhere close 160 MPH you are looking at almost $1 Million. Very few people have that kind of $$$ for a toy, that can only be used in a short summer season.
I personally don't care if someone goes 160 or 200 as long as it is done is a safe manner consistent with the rules of safe boating. To wit, if someone wants to go as fast as they can in the broads on a September weekday, when next to nobody else is using the lake, its not my concern. I also don't care if a motorcyclist doesn't wear a helmet, or an automobile driver doesn't wear a seatbelt. Its thier responsibility to be safe, not mine.
Now, if they decide to be a Capt. Bonehead and do that on a busy summer weekend... thats a whole different story and I would consider that a gross deviation from reasonable and prudent, thus reckless operation.
It really isn't how fast can the boat go, the issue is how the boat is driven, and what the conditons are at the time. We have all seen many bonehead maneuvers at well below 45 MPH, commited by all types of boaters. Speed should be tied to the prevailing conditions, without an arbitrary limit.
To be truthful, I was originally for no limits at all. But after doing some research and reading all the reports, I think reasonable and prudent is a much safer standard. It is also the standard recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. I think the reasonable and prudent standard, coupled with better funding for the MP would result in a much safer lake.
Just think as to how much safer Lake Winnipesaukee would be if the MP could permanently station a boat at Weirs, Meridith, Wolfeboro, and Alton, yet till have 2-3 boats roaming around the lake. I think that would cut down alot of the complaints, and make the lake a much safer place for all.
Woodsy
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