Minimum Wake Speed

[Augoose]

Wake boat operators are very close to the PWC operators as far as rudeness of operation. Not saying all are but it sure seems like most.

Well, its unfortunate that a lot of young people nowadays don't reflect on how they are impacting those around them often enough - seems many are more focused about themselves and ensuring they can do what they want whenever they want. Many will hopefully grow out of that mindset. Since wake-boarding IMO is more of a young person's sport, I do see where many wake-boarders appear to be inconsiderate. Blaring loud music, making a heavy wake, etc. My parents too complain openly whenever they hear a jetski and instantly lump all jetskiers in together as useless and annoying. They can't see any purpose in jetskies because it doesn't appeal to them.

I'm 43, I've grown up around the water and my family and I wake-board and ski. We try to be aware of how we are impacting those around us - no loud music, stay away from other boats and shorelines when we tow, etc.....not because its the law/regulation necessarily but because its the right thing to do.

I will say that I've been nearly hit by many fishing boats zipping past me while my skier/boarder sits in the water waiting to be pulled up, or while we are anchored and swimming in a quiet cove. Many pass at full throttle within 50 feet of swimmers. I just shake my head and wonder how they don't realize what they are doing. I've also been swamped in my kayak by many cruisers who are going slower and enjoying an evening cruise - they probably think they are doing no harm because they are just barely planing. People sometimes just don't pay attention to what is going on around them. Does seem worse with the younger crowd, maybe because they just haven't had the number of life experiences yet to aid in them acquiring this skill.

Obviously we all have our niches - some like to fish, some like to cruise, some like to ski/board, and some like to do it all. We have to appreciate that others might like to enjoy recreation in ways that are different from our own and must remain aware as to how our own recreation impacts those around us - also remember to treat others following the golden rule.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

That is the problem common sense is not very common, the people that are rude on the lakes are the same ones who in the winter refuse to stay on the snowmobile trail.

 

[JimS123]

Our no-wake zones are heavily patrolled and the only ones that don't obey them are the guys that just bought a $600 klunker and never owned a boat before.

However, with several police agencies who are not afraid to give out tickets, those guys learn in a hurry.

Wakeboarders and skiiers are few and far between. The open areas are either too congested or too wavy for them to ply, except in early hours of the day.

Our only problem are the Go-Fasts. They travel too fast and go too close. If its a Poker run, you should stay home because you might get run over. It has happened! I just don't understand why fat bald guys need so much HP, or why they always have to take their young blonde daughters with them. You would think the youngins would rather be with their boyfriend.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Our only problem are the Go-Fasts. They travel too fast and go too close. If its a Poker run, you should stay home because you might get run over. It has happened! I just don't understand why fat bald guys need so much HP, or why they always have to take their young blonde daughters with them. You would think the youngins would rather be with their boyfriend.

less like father-daughter........ more like sugar daddy and side-hustle

there is a reason the term "Sausage Boat" is used.

back to large wakes, etc

down here, if you are in a no-wake zone and you are putting out a wake, one of the many un-marked patrol boats will pull you over (lights in a t-top zipper bag)

the biggest wakes come from express cruisers just below planing speed. 6 foot rolling wakes and black smoke bellowing as the boat is still in the hole...... either give it more throttle to get on plane or back off the throttle because your only 4mph above idle speed.

 

[Prophammer]

One of my favorite slow speed zones, going slow but throwing off a big wake anyway

 

[Old Ironmaker]

On the Great Lakes with all of them at record highs it does make a difference. Piers , shoreline rip rap [ boulders /bulkheads ect ] that used to stop the majority of waves , are now under water. So erosion is increased big time. Have witnessed it first hand and it is different than a storm, in years past with normal water levels. I understand your thought process on lakes/waterways that have a constant water level..

I had 80 tons of concrete slabs and several tons of rip rap brought in in August of 2018 around $5000.00 plus the $750.00 permit from the local conservation authority. The Ministry of Natural Resources permit was at no charge which I thought would be the opposite, anyway. At least a 3rd of the material including a major portion of the huge shoreline Armor rock that was there for 40 years has slid down into the lake, Erie. I have lost a few 40' trees where the water washed the root system out. There is an 80'er ready to go anytime, bare roots and we lost much of the grasses holding together the soil. a lot of soil as much has eroded away. Fergit aboud the I have no idea how many 5 gallon pails of river rock hauled up the rocks to make beautiful gardens in between the day lilies and wildflowers, it's all gone.

I will need to get another permit to put a machine into the water to put it all back in place. Then what happens this Fall when we get more storms? The wave action against the shoreline is that much greater with the water being that much higher. On a positive note the water level is lower than it has been in the last 2 years. There is beach where there was a few feet deep of water last year at this exact time. I'm complaining about shoreline erosion from a massive storm last Halloween night and there were homes, cottages and boat houses that basically fell into the lake that night. I have a neighbour that sunk about $30,000.00 10 years ago to build a boathouse made of structural steel 20 feet from the waters edge.Not a piece of wood other than some of the boat ramp. The structure looks like it was hit by a battalion of Panzer tanks. The steel doors and steel structural beams bent like strands of spaghetti. I wouldn't believe it until I saw it because I ran a back hoe and Bob Cat on that place for a while with the Engineer, Ironworkers and welders.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Well, its unfortunate that a lot of young people nowadays don't reflect on how they are impacting those around them often enough - seems many are more focused about themselves and ensuring they can do what they want whenever they want.

It isn't fair to single out "young people nowadays." There are plenty of us Boomers that are just as guilty, and some survivors of the Great Generation.. The older people get it seems it's an earned right to be inconsiderate and rude.

 

[ahicks]

Agreed, and reminds me of a favorite saying I use a lot. "You can't fix STUPID!".

Young stupid or old stupid makes no difference. Stupid is stupid......

 

[Prophammer]

some can't be taught by instruction, penalties, fines or major mishap are their only teacher, major mishap has taught me a lesson a time or two

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Whenever I see people doing wrong things I try to figure out if they are rude or stupid. It is one or the other.

 

[Captain Caveman]

In Minnesota "no wake" is defined as the slowest possible speed to maintain steerage, but no greater than 5 mph. A sheriff buddy of mine used to work for the Water Patrol (what a sweet job). He said they defined a wake as seeing white water behind the boat.

Near my place there is a channel out to the main lake. It's a great fishing spot. I always slow down to no wake when passing boats in there, no matter how inconvenient. I boat with the mantra of doing to others as I would want done to me. I don't like bracing myself each time a boat goes by.