Drilling a 4 lug rim to 5 lug....

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Drilling a 4 lug rim to 5 lug....

I'm going to be the one who says it...because it needs to be said. If a person cannot afford to replace safety items on their rig (boat, trailer, tow vehicle) they should not participate in the hobby. This statement can be made about ANY activity that requires a fair amount of disposable income. It is of particular importance when we are discussing the deliberate disregard for the safety of other families that share our roads and waterways.

I am grateful that the OP had the sense to ask for opinions, and is now thinking clearly. This rant is not directed at him personally.

I am just sick of reading story after story on the news every summer about people (kids especially) being maimed and killed by utter morons! If we (the pleasure boating community) do not start acting like we have our heads on straight; the gooberment is going to see to it that you really CAN'T afford to participate anymore, through ever increasing regulation. Come on folks...why do you think commercial trucking and airlines are so overly regulated? When people are injured or killed due to another's negligence, lawsuits are filed, big insurance payoffs are awarded and congressmen introduce new legislation on behalf of grieving parents and spouses.

Just give it time, another ten years of on-the-water deaths and all boat operators will be required to be 18 or 21 years old, have a special endorsement on their drivers license, and be required to take mandatory classes before receiving said endorsement. Plus we will be required to purchase and maintain liability insurance on each vessel owned for medical coverage of each passenger and damages to other craft. Oh, and let's not forget annual inspections of our trailers, and roadside or rampside inspections as well. Think it can't happen? Ask somebody old enough to remember what our country was like when none of what I've just said was even a topic for consideration! (freedom)

So for those who are still with me...do you think boating is too expensive? If so, get a canoe. Rant over.

My apologies in advance to those who are thin skinned or easily offended.

Good day!

You are correct, and it is already occurring in some states as we speak. And as an instructor of boat safety, I feel qualified to say that the requirements for a boaters card, of any state, that can be earned by taking a class/test on line is a complete joke.

There are so many people on the water that a Safety Course does probably need to be a requirement, especially for pwc operators, even to purchase, but it should be one that has the ability to teach the student what they need to know.

Imagine taking an automobile drivers license training course, with driving test, on the internet.

If someone intending to operate a boat on the waters where I or my family boat, can't be bothered to take a few hours to learn the basics of safe boating, they shouldn't be on the water.

Although I don't believe in the intrusion of government into our lives to the extent that it is happening, I feel that if it is a requirement for the boaters card to have had a safety course, then it should be one that actually accomplishes it's supposed intent - to make us safer.

And, I agree that the regulations will continue to impact us more and more because of the idiots that are on the water making all of us suffer, both directly by their actions, and indirectly by the repercussions of those actions. (And not just PWC operators.)

I need a breather now - your turn. (Probably need to start a new thread and not hijack this one).

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Drilling a 4 lug rim to 5 lug....

(Probably need to start a new thread and not hijack this one).

Too late.