Wake-setter boats

[paintitredinHC]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Wait...what?
What does a watch have to do with wakesetter boats?

Oh boy...

If you take Dante's original post and replace Wakesetter with a watch brand, it illustrates the absurdity of the argument.

My point is, it's inappropriate to demand regulation on something that can be addressed through a combination of education and preventative measures. As I've said before on here, there is a proper (and considerate) way to tow somebody behind a boat. If done correctly and in the appropriate venue for a particular sport, the resulting wake should not be a problem.

- Drive in straight lines
- Coordinate your line with other riders/skiers in the same cove/bay
- No power turns
- Wakesurf/Tube in larger bays (i.e. not Blackies)
- Stay 150' from shore (ample space for wake to dissipate)

Understand that wakeboarder's and water skiers both want calm water which is why they seek out cove's that are protected from wind. Skiers do not want a large wake. In fact, they want the flattest wake possible. Wakeboarder's use the larger wake behind a ballast filled boat to generate pop for aerial tricks, however the water still needs to be calm to hold a consistent board edge towards the wake.

To be fair, not everyone that own's a Malibu Wakesetter is an upstanding citizen who considers the impact of their actions. In fact, an argument can be made that some in that demographic can be quite inconsiderate. But, that doesn't mean all wakeboard boats should be outlawed from specific area's of the lake. If everyone is informed of proper protocol, it won't be an issue.

Also consider that people that live in Blackies may have purchased their homes for the implicit reason that it is great for skiing/wakeboarding. I know that some have mentioned in this thread that it was an outside boat that caused this issue. Tell me how would you plan to enforce a rule that disallows outside wakeboard boats from using this cove (or other similar coves for that matter) but not impede the rights of wakeboarding homeowners in said cove?

I shouldn't even be on here probably wasting my time typing this, but somebody has to provide context. The crusade continues.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by paintitredinHC

Oh boy...

If you take Dante's original post and replace Wakesetter with a watch brand, it illustrates the absurdity of the argument.

My point is, it's inappropriate to demand regulation on something that can be addressed through a combination of education and preventative measures. As I've said before on here, there is a proper (and considerate) way to tow somebody behind a boat. If done correctly and in the appropriate venue for a particular sport, the resulting wake should not be a problem.

- Drive in straight lines
- Coordinate your line with other riders/skiers in the same cove/bay
- No power turns
- Wakesurf/Tube in larger bays (i.e. not Blackies)
- Stay 150' from shore (ample space for wake to dissipate)

Understand that wakeboarder's and water skiers both want calm water which is why they seek out cove's that are protected from wind. Skiers do not want a large wake. In fact, they want the flattest wake possible. Wakeboarder's use the larger wake behind a ballast filled boat to generate pop for aerial tricks, however the water still needs to be calm to hold a consistent board edge towards the wake.

To be fair, not everyone that own's a Malibu Wakesetter is an upstanding citizen who considers the impact of their actions. In fact, an argument can be made that some in that demographic can be quite inconsiderate. But, that doesn't mean all wakeboard boats should be outlawed from specific area's of the lake. If everyone is informed of proper protocol, it won't be an issue.

Also consider that people that live in Blackies may have purchased their homes for the implicit reason that it is great for skiing/wakeboarding. I know that some have mentioned in this thread that it was an outside boat that caused this issue. Tell me how would you plan to enforce a rule that disallows outside wakeboard boats from using this cove (or other similar coves for that matter) but not impede the rights of wakeboarding homeowners in said cove?

I shouldn't even be on here probably wasting my time typing this, but somebody has to provide context. The crusade continues.

You're right--many of these boats are powered by people who are not "upstanding citizens". So please don't try to make the case that all we need to do is "inform" them.

This forum is full of threads on boat owners who remain grossly and dangerously uninformed of even the most basic safety issues, never mind detailed instructions of how to pilot a specialized craft.

[paintitredinHC]

Originally Posted by PeterG

So please don't try to make the case that all we need to do is "inform" them.

This forum is full of threads on boat owners who remain grossly and dangerously uninformed of even the most basic safety issues, never mind detailed instructions of how to pilot a specialized craft.

So by this logic, we should just create laws to help people who simply cannot help themselves. How depressing. Wouldn't it make more sense to direct those efforts and resources towards providing education and information rather than bury our head in the sand on every nuanced issue?

That is what is so valuable about this forum as a resource. It creates a platform to distribute awareness and information. Unfortunately, it is limited in that it probably doesn't reach the audience that needs it the most. That's where you fine folks come in. Now that you know, you can pass this information along.

[Winnisquamer]

Friends don't let friends power turn.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by paintitredinHC

So by this logic, we should just create laws to help people who simply cannot help themselves. How depressing. Wouldn't it make more sense to direct those efforts and resources towards providing education and information rather than bury our head in the sand on every nuanced issue?

I think you misunderstand me, or at least misunderstand my definition of nuanced.

There are plenty of nuanced issues discussed thoroughly on this board, such as boat operator licensing requirements, horsepower on the lake, Marine Patrol's role, etc.

I don't find any nuance in the wakeboard discussion--they are a specialty craft designed for the expressed purpose of producing an effect which we all understand is hard on other boaters, docks, and the lake shore.

[paintitredinHC]

Pete - Can I call you Pete?

I understood you perfectly. However, perhaps you misunderstood me. Damaging wakes produced by wakeboard boats can be mitigated through proper technique and contentious operators. Given those factors, I do believe that is the definition of nuanced.

I absolutely agree with what I think you were getting at in your original reply. Regardless of education and information, there will always be inconsiderate people. But do you suggest we write laws to address a select few inconsiderate people at the expense of the majority?

But then you contradict your 'So please don't request' by stating, "This forum is full of threads on boat owners who remain grossly and dangerously uninformed of even the most basic safety issues"... If that is the case, then why shouldn't we try to pass along information?

Originally Posted by PeterG

I think you misunderstand me, or at least misunderstand my definition of nuanced.

There are plenty of nuanced issues discussed thoroughly on this board, such as boat operator licensing requirements, horsepower on the lake, Marine Patrol's role, etc.

I don't find any nuance in the wakeboard discussion--they are a specialty craft designed for the expressed purpose of producing an effect which we all understand is hard on other boaters, docks, and the lake shore.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by paintitredinHC

But then you contradict your 'So please don't request' by stating, "This forum is full of threads on boat owners who remain grossly and dangerously uninformed of even the most basic safety issues"... If that is the case, then why shouldn't we try to pass along information?

In general, that's a fair point. Sharing information on safe and responsible operation is an important part of this forum.

My concern is when advice on responsible operation segues into an argument that these boats can be operated broadly without significant damage to others. You've done that very artfully here, but you've neglected the underlying truth that big wakes are bad for the lake.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by paintitredinHC

So by this logic, we should just create laws to help people who simply cannot help themselves. How depressing. Wouldn't it make more sense to direct those efforts and resources towards providing education and information rather than bury our head in the sand on every nuanced issue?

This is where MP is stopping people and either educating (or issuing a verbal/written warning) and keeping records.

That is what is so valuable about this forum as a resource. It creates a platform to distribute awareness and information. Unfortunately, it is limited in that it probably doesn't reach the audience that needs it the most. That's where you fine folks come in. Now that you know, you can pass this information along.

As can you.

[paintitredinHC]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

This is where MP is stopping people and either educating (or issuing a verbal/written warning) and keeping records.

I have no problem with an MP officer stopping a person that are not following the recommended protocols I outlined above. In fact, I support it.

[QUOTE[/B]
As can you.[/QUOTE]

That is literally what I am doing.