EKAL = LAKE spelled backwards!

[fatlazyless]

Is there any chance for waterskiing at EKAL? Last time I did a one ski, dock start was probably in August of 1967, but I am TOTALLY CERTAIN that I could do it again on my very first try ....... one ski-dock starts .....piece-o-cake .....just hit-it!!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Is there any chance for waterskiing at EKAL? Last time I did a one ski, dock start was probably in August of 1967, but I am TOTALLY CERTAIN that I could do it again on my very first try ....... one ski-dock starts .....piece-o-cake .....just hit-it!!

Not on this Lake! 75' line precludes that with a 150' rule in place

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Not on this Lake! 75' line precludes that with a 150' rule in place

I use to be pretty good at jumping off the beach onto one ski and landing on the beach when finished. I never got wet. The beach babes go wild!

Skiing off the dock was common. I know of one guy who actually skied back on the dock! He was nuts.

[fatlazyless]

.....u-know something ... I used to land right back on the same dock ..... too; it was wicked easy ...... just head for the dock aftyer you let go the rope ..... and keep your one ski tip up ..... betcha I am TOTALLY CERTAIN I could still do that too .... piece-o-cake buddy ..... just hit hit it!

[ITD]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

.....u-know something ... I used to land right back on the same dock ..... too; it was wicked easy ...... just head for the dock aftyer you let go the rope ..... and keep your one ski tip up ..... betcha I am TOTALLY CERTAIN I could still do that too .... piece-o-cake buddy ..... just hit hit it!

If you ever attempt this again, please have it video recorded.....

[DickR]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I use to be pretty good at jumping off the beach onto one ski and landing on the beach when finished. I never got wet. The beach babes go wild!

Yeah! I used to do starts that way, too. Actually, it's easier to start that way than to do a deep water slalom ski start. I'd, stand in perhaps knee-deep water on one foot, with the front half of the ski at the surface, and leave a 6-7 foot loop of rope loose. When the rest of the rope was out straight, I'd shout "Hit it!." That was just enough room for the boat to gain enough speed so that I could simply step onto the ski and take off, without the boat pulling me over onto my face.

The beach babes go wild? You've got me dreaming about that for this summer. I'm envisioning making a big impression on all those cute young babes barely in their 50s. Well, it's a matter of perspective.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by DickR

Yeah! I used to do starts that way, too. Actually, it's easier to start that way than to do a deep water slalom ski start. I'd, stand in perhaps knee-deep water on one foot, with the front half of the ski at the surface, and leave a 6-7 foot loop of rope loose. When the rest of the rope was out straight, I'd shout "Hit it!." That was just enough room for the boat to gain enough speed so that I could simply step onto the ski and take off, without the boat pulling me over onto my face.

The beach babes go wild? You've got me dreaming about that for this summer. I'm envisioning making a big impression on all those cute young babes barely in their 50s. Well, it's a matter of perspective.

Your Neighbors will be awaiting the ski performance and ensuing rush of babes to the shoreline for sure......

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Not on this Lake! 75' line precludes that with a 150' rule in place

I could be wrong (it happens), but I thought the 150' rule had a loophole that allowed you to pull up a skier within 150' of shore.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by chipj29

I could be wrong (it happens), but I thought the 150' rule had a loophole that allowed you to pull up a skier within 150' of shore.

Yes their are some loop holes in the law. As I learned a couple of years ago...
However I will also say that the Marine Patrol is aware of the loop holes, and in talking to them I got the impression, that while the loop holes are their, they are still likely to confront people, when witnessed by an officer.....

However when I made my complaint, they explained the law and wording to me, and noted that what I was witnessing, could be considered unsafe, for which the Marine Patrol would have the right to confront the offenders. But With out being present to witness the entire surrounding environment, was actually with in the law.

The bottom line is their are gray areas when it comes to starting skiers off close to shore, but they are gray and their is lots of room for interpretation. And what you feel maybe safe, the Marine Patrol and your neighbors may view differently.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

However I will also say that the Marine Patrol is aware of the loop holes

It's not really a loophole. It is specifically allowed in RSA 270-D:2:

VI. (a) To provide full visibility and control and to prevent their wake from being thrown into or causing excessive rocking to other boats, barges, water skiers, aquaplanes or other boats, rafts or floats, all vessels shall maintain headway speed when within 150 feet from:
(1) Rafts, floats, swimmers.
(2) Permitted swimming areas.
(3) Shore.
(4) Docks.
(5) Mooring fields.
(6) Other vessels.
(b) These requirements shall not apply when:
(1) Starting skiers from shore, docks or floats, as long as neither the boat nor the skier is endangering the life or safety of any person.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by webmaster

It's not really a loophole. It is specifically allowed in RSA 270-D:2:

While I agree that it is specifically stated, it was left purposely as a loop hole. And as the legislation was poorly written, it created a huge grey area in the law.

It completely nulls what is previously stated. And in theory what is previously stated constitutes not "endangering the life and safety of any person"

In short if a person is with in 150' feet of the tow boat and skier, their life is unnecessarily endangered by proximity given the previously stated rules. Whether the person feels they where endangered or not, and weather the skier and boat operator feels they where endangering the person or not, are all irrelevant . The law is dictating what is safe or not...

In short you are in violation of the law, even if no one involved in the situation feels they where endangered at all....

This is a prime example of a loophole / grey area in a law. It makes it hard to enforce because of the many arguments that it allows. It is an example of legislation that needs to be rewritten. Such that it will allow the activity, but at the same time leave the interpretation up to the people involved.

Hence why the blanket statement and belief of most people, and indeed the way the law is most often enforced, is that you have to be 150' away from anything and anyone, to be above headway speed, regardless of skiing or not...

A last note this law is also out of date because it uses the term skier, which through personal interpretation, may not cover a person on a wake board, kneeboard, tube or other tow-able toy...

The bottom line from the Marine Patrol when I talked with them, was that they would most likely stop and engage in conversation the inherit safety concerns with this type of Practice. But that even if they felt someone was doing it in an unsafe manor, they would be hard pressed to fine them, because the law itself allows for to much interpretation.