Making a Party Island

[biglurr54]

I live on a small lake in upstate New York. Recently we have been having parties in the middle of the lake. I set an anchor and attach a throw-able cushion to it. Then I tied a few pool floats to it that i have collected over the years. i tie the boat to the throw-able when were not using it. We had a ton of fun so now the group is growing and now i got air mattresses to add to the fleet. Now has overwhelmed the throw-able. I'm looking to build a small 4ft x 4 ft raft that will anchor out in the middle and have a stereo built into a tower to provide 360 degree sound and have room for two coolers and recycle buckets. My worry is that the people on the lake may get upset at us "young whipper snappers" out raising hell on the lake. We are respectable and aren't loud or obscene. Its just all old people on the lake that don't seem to like change. Before I build my raft i want to make sure I am with in the law. My boat is rated for 8 people. The Island is now grown to about 15-17 people and every time we do it, more people come. The next party is looking to be about 20 - 25. I shuttle people out to the island so I don't exceed the number of people the boat can handle. It's a small lake so the trips are quick. Is this legal? While were out there I disconnect the boat and leave people at the "Island" and take people tubing, skiing, and wake boarding. This leaves the people on the "island" in the middle of the lake with no boat and no life jackets but a million floats. We haven't had any issues yet but I want to know the legality of it before I find out the hard way.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Making a Party Island

I can't comment on the legality of it, but I see some safety issues.
Also, as an old person living on a lake, I wouldn't be happy either

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Making a Party Island

I highly doubt there are any legal issues you are in conflict with. The only possible problem I see is a lack of life jackets, but even that is a stretch. I am guessing you would have a hard time finding any statute that requires a life jacket on a non powered, anchored floating object. (for adults at least)

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Making a Party Island

You would have to check your local laws, but anchoring a swim platform in a lake generally requires a permit.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Making a Party Island

How about inviting the "old People" out and see how they react. I know my parents would have probably helped fund the build...

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Making a Party Island

dadgummed whippersnappers!!! Look sonny, I party with some octogenarians - that's people in their 80's, and they party like they might die tomorrow - and heck, they might! Us people of many years might like to visit your island!

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Making a Party Island

Don't discount the party-ability of old people. I am sure many of them can out-party your young crowd, just due to experience... Never get in a drinking contest with an elderly European, been there, not a smart move on my part...

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Making a Party Island

I've tries inviting them out at the lake association meeting but they were not impressed. I think they are worried we are going to be dangerous which is not the case but I understand that they don't know me and my rules for on the lake activities. I must say it hasn't been a welcoming neighbor hood.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Making a Party Island

you could ask the local authorities about the legality but you might not like the answer. if the answer is "no" but you continue anyway, you have lost your "I didn't know" excuse.

Sight unseen, but as described, I don't think if I had a lakeside house I'd want to look at a mass of floating junk every morning and evening. To me, your leaving it unattended is a bigger problem than when you are using it. I wouldn't even want someone leaving a large colorful inflatable anchored out all summer.

How deep is the lake under your home-made Sargasso Sea? That may play into the safety factor.

The thing about most boating laws is that there is always the nebulous "unsafe activity" standard that is purely in the eyes of the guy with the badge. Or in the black robe. "Never debatable, always appealable" one judge taught me a long time ago.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Making a Party Island

sorry to hi-jack the thread but i am a new b to THIS forum and was wondering why i cant post a new thread? my status says im not allowed to post new threads and i dont see an option to start one...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Making a Party Island

I'm looking to build a small 4ft x 4 ft raft that will anchor out in the middle and have a stereo built into a tower to provide 360 degree sound and have room for two coolers and recycle buckets.

Turn than dang music off and there's no alcohol allowed on the lake!!!....... I'm calling the cops!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkTt9k4Y-a8

 

[lakelover]

Re: Making a Party Island

I'd be most concerned about the safety issue of the people at the "island" without PFD's, especially when not attended by a boat. Anything could happen. I used to generally think "It happens to other people, not me", but life taught me otherwise, in a big way. No one would feel too good if a tragedy occurred.

As far as the legality of it, I have emailed the sheriff's dept. of the NY county that occasionally patrols my lake to get some legal clarification on a boating issue. They even provided me with copies of USCG regulations to back up their position. They were very helpful.

 

[rparde]

Re: Making a Party Island

That all sounds pretty legit to me, especially the 360 degrees of sound. I would assume your not leaving that crap there after the party. I would also add a red flag to the sound tower so no one runs over your friends.

In the building industry we have a saying (that others use)...do what you want and beg for forgiveness later.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Making a Party Island

Its all inflatable and I take it all in when the last person comes off. I had the idea of a reg flag and a divers flag on a 5 ft pole just to make it more viable. Its pretty bright and colorful on its own. The lake is deep under it. About 50 ft.. I put it about 200ft from shore. We only do it maybe 2 times a month so its not like its an everyday thing. I'll have to get some pictures.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Making a Party Island

Here's my take, but I don't know your areas laws and I'm no lawyer. If it isn't permanently anchored, and no one is on it while under tow, you are probably okay with the lack of pfd's. As far as a permanently anchored item, there's a good chance you would be liable for any damages incurred from hitting it, especially if left out at night.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Making a Party Island

Its all inflatable and I take it all in when the last person comes off. I had the idea of a reg flag and a divers flag on a 5 ft pole just to make it more viable. Its pretty bright and colorful on its own. The lake is deep under it. About 50 ft.. I put it about 200ft from shore. We only do it maybe 2 times a month so its not like its an everyday thing. I'll have to get some pictures.

If there's no diver don't use a diver down flag. That'll be the nail in your party's coffin right there.

I'm only 32 and I've done some crazy **** on the lake and even I know you're pushing your luck....keep it low key man!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Making a Party Island

my bud's is 13ft x 13ft--it Rocks! (note-we are all 50ish)

 

[roscoe]

Re: Making a Party Island

In some locales, anything that floats and holds people, and is outside a marked swimming area, is a vessel.
Happened not far from me back in June.
Someone got ticked off and called the authorities, nailed them for no registration and no lifejackets.

They could possibly get out of it if they went to court, don't know.

I know there has been several occasions where people floating on inner tubes were ticketed.

Just a few days ago, someone posted a link to an article. Guy was arrested for BUI while floating down a river on an inflatable.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Making a Party Island

...Look sonny, I party with some octogenarians - that's people in their 80's, and they party like they might die tomorrow - and heck, they might!...

LOL - that line needs to wind up in a movie somewhere. Hats off Bob.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Making a Party Island

sorry to hi-jack the thread but i am a new b to THIS forum and was wondering why i cant post a new thread? my status says im not allowed to post new threads and i dont see an option to start one...

Go here and wait for your answer
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=572112