Oops...sorry old MC

[Wayward]

Wayward...I would be ticked as well if a skier asked me to go somewhere else to wakeboard. you have just as much right to smooth water as they do. as for my swamping of the MC, I have large waves come at me all the time that would swamp my boat...I just know to power through them. This guy was sitting and chilling with friends in the middle of the lake....he obviously didn't see it coming and that's why I feel badly. I will make amends this weekend. did you pull your slalom course?

Nah, I didn't pull it. Too much work to put it back in!! Besides that, he changed his tune once he found out who provides the course he loves so much. It was just a gloriously ironic moment.

75Tique- Just because it doesn't hurt as much, doesn't mean it doesn't take any skill. If you only considered getting up on ski's and staying behind the boat as waterskiing...... that doesn't take any skill either. Try landing even just a shuv it 180 on a surfboard. After a hundred tries, you might think a little differently....... especially after taking a board shot to the nuts a few times. Saying it takes no skill, is just ignorant.

[Waterhawg]

I live on Lake Lanier GA [ 700 miles of shore line over 100 feet deep] so you would think there is plenty of room even on busy days. My wife likes to slalom ski so most week ends we head to a small cove next to Bald Ridge Marina . Its pretty much just big enough for a ski course and 1 boat at a time so the people that use it have developed a rotation system so everybody gets perfect conditions for their run. This starts at 7 am or earlier and works well until around 930 am . By then the tubers, wave runners and recently wake surfers start . I don't get it. All of those activity's can be done in rougher water but they still come back to the ski cove and tear it up so it sucks for everybody including them. It all boils down to ignorance or just don't give a dam about anyone else. You sound like an experienced driver . The fact that you were on such a small lake and swamped another boat says what about you . You should feel bad . This whole wake surf craze with the titanic size boats will self destruct if the drivers don't self regulate . I an already reading stories about lakes that have imposed restrictions on wakeboats to save docks and shoreline . Wise up people you don't need butter to surf . If you think maybe your wake is too big for the lake it probably is.

I used to ski that cove 40 years ago. Back then we only slalomed and barefooted. I remember having the exact same conversations regarding "weekend Wallies" messing up "our" water. We used to line up at the no wake buoys and try to talk to anybody that comes in the cove to mess up "our" water.

I am older and fatter, I like to surf now. Surfing is more fun in calm water than in rough, that is a fact. You can do it in rough water, but it is certainly not better. You may not like the surfing craze, but it is growing rapidly, while the slalom and even wake boarding is being phased out. I hate the fact that my boat puts out these humongous waves, it is bad for the shoreline, bad for the other docks and generally obnoxious as ****. Throw in a radio blaring at music at jet engines levels and it is even more annoying.

I see ya'll in and out of that cove most mornings I am surfing, I do not go into that cove, because I "respect" the fact that you all got up and have a very orderly system of taking turns, it works. I get up and surf early, because I like the "butter" and I don't want to be that obnoxious. However, no matter where you go on lake lanier, you are going to bother somebody. The fisherman are everywhere in the morning.

Biggest problem with everything is a lack of respect and knowledge. I think people buy boats and simply just don't get training or don't care. I mostly surf in Young Deer or in front of Mary Alice. It amazes me how many people in ski boats can't properly work a cove together and/or pick up a returning fallen skier. My biggest pet peeve that I see constantly is boats "plowing" through the water routinely. Why they want to go at the most inefficient speed, fuel burn is really beyond me.

Bottom line, my grand kids (none yet) I hope and pray, will be skiing that same cove, still bitching about somebody messing up "their" water....

[GMLIII]

I used to ski that cove 40 years ago. Back then we only slalomed and barefooted. I remember having the exact same conversations regarding "weekend Wallies" messing up "our" water. We used to line up at the no wake buoys and try to talk to anybody that comes in the cove to mess up "our" water.

I am older and fatter, I like to surf now. Surfing is more fun in calm water than in rough, that is a fact. You can do it in rough water, but it is certainly not better. You may not like the surfing craze, but it is growing rapidly, while the slalom and even wake boarding is being phased out. I hate the fact that my boat puts out these humongous waves, it is bad for the shoreline, bad for the other docks and generally obnoxious as ****. Throw in a radio blaring at music at jet engines levels and it is even more annoying.

I see ya'll in and out of that cove most mornings I am surfing, I do not go into that cove, because I "respect" the fact that you all got up and have a very orderly system of taking turns, it works. I get up and surf early, because I like the "butter" and I don't want to be that obnoxious. However, no matter where you go on lake lanier, you are going to bother somebody. The fisherman are everywhere in the morning.

Biggest problem with everything is a lack of respect and knowledge. I think people buy boats and simply just don't get training or don't care. I mostly surf in Young Deer or in front of Mary Alice. It amazes me how many people in ski boats can't properly work a cove together and/or pick up a returning fallen skier. My biggest pet peeve that I see constantly is boats "plowing" through the water routinely. Why they want to go at the most inefficient speed, fuel burn is really beyond me.

Bottom line, my grand kids (none yet) I hope and pray, will be skiing that same cove, still bitching about somebody messing up "their" water....

Did and doing all the same myself now Waterhawg. Agree with everything you stated above, well put!

[jslipher]

Wayward...I would be ticked as well if a skier asked me to go somewhere else to wakeboard. you have just as much right to smooth water as they do. as for my swamping of the MC, I have large waves come at me all the time that would swamp my boat...I just know to power through them. This guy was sitting and chilling with friends in the middle of the lake....he obviously didn't see it coming and that's why I feel badly. I will make amends this weekend. did you pull your slalom course?

What lake are you on? Sometimes we travel through the area (we were not the old MC).

[swc5150]

You may not like the surfing craze, but it is growing rapidly, while the slalom and even wake boarding is being phased out.

Lol, I've been hearing that about skiing since the mid 90's. Meanwhile Goode and Radar had record ski sales in 2016, and MC, BU (and soon CC and Supreme) have new ski boats on the market. If anything will get phased out, it'll be surfing...perhaps not by choice, but by lake bans.

[G_WaTT]

First off, Wayward... I think it's awesome of you to do so much for your lake. Love that!

I think I can vouch for most wakeboarders in saying that we all love smooth water too. If I'm trying something new or working on inverts.... I'm hesitant even with a little bit of wind chop. I usually surf when the water has gotten too rough to wakeboard. While surfing is easier through some rougher chop, we still deal with rollers too. Also, as I get older, I'm all for alternatives that aren't as taxing on my body.

I feel like wake/surf boats are getting a lot of hate, but I would much rather be on a lake full of G boats vs boats pulling tubers. I feel it's harder to escape their rollers vs ski/wake/surf boats. And while I wish there wasn't tubers on my lake,... I have never thought it should be banned or they should not be able to enjoy what their doing.

If we are allowed on a lake I think it's unfair for people to be upset at us if we are following all the local lake rules. Everyone is out there to have a good time. If you want glass,... you should either wake up earlier or be prepared to wipe your boat down in the dark. That's what I typically do for smoother water.

75Tique,... Lemme know when Nautique comes out with that 8' tall wave. I'm all over that!... even if I can't afford it

[dhanni848]

Again I repeat...I was 150 yards away from this boat. not like I was 50 feet. I am well aware of my surroundings and try to be respectful of others. I find if I want to ski I have to pick my times to do it...not because of surfers but because of all boat traffic. your lake must be different than ours...we don't have areas specific for skiing such as skiers cove...but ours is a small lake.

I am not on a small lake by any means, but I am very cautious of where I am floating. If I were in a smaller boat with a lot of people I make sure to look for rollers even if they are small. I Hate soaking my interior. If I see any I tell everyone to get in and I will move. If I am sitting in the middle of the channel I expect it. Again, not a small lake and at least you care!

[jslipher]

Lol, I've been hearing that about skiing since the mid 90's. Meanwhile Goode and Radar had record ski sales in 2016, and MC, BU (and soon CC and Supreme) have new ski boats on the market. If anything will get phased out, it'll be surfing...perhaps not by choice, but by lake bans.

I'm a 'seller' of this statement. Nautique offers 8 wake boats and only 2 ski boats, MC offers 12 wake and 1 ski boat, BU offers 8 wake and 2 ski boats. Wake boats are the future and surfing is a great sport for those that want something relaxing that doesn't take a toll on your body nor requires smooth water. The new wake boats and all of their features are picking up buyers of the runabout boats and some pontooners given their comfortable seating and catering to hanging out on the ski deck while floating in the cove.

Not that skiing will ever be fully phased out, it will just continue to be a small niche in the market but won't be the general preference of most buyers.

[75Tique]

75Tique- Just because it doesn't hurt as much, doesn't mean it doesn't take any skill. If you only considered getting up on ski's and staying behind the boat as waterskiing...... that doesn't take any skill either. Try landing even just a shuv it 180 on a surfboard. After a hundred tries, you might think a little differently....... especially after taking a board shot to the nuts a few times. Saying it takes no skill, is just ignorant.

OK, fair response for two reasons. (1) I am in your house, not mine and it really isnt my place to come into your house and criticize what you all are into over here (at PN). And (2) I will grant you that I have seen some pretty impressive moves by surfers that obviously took a long time to learn. In my defense, The VAST majority of surfers are not that guy and they are just out there being loud, drunk, rude and disruptive. And obviously its not just me, as we hear more and more about bans, proposed bans and discussions of bans. Me, personally, and I understand its just a preference thing, I dont get surfing, and admittedly, I am just a weekend warrior who isnt a competitive calibre anything, but I like to think my talent is somewhere commensurate with my equipment vs having $10 worth of talent and a $140,000 boat. (BTW, my boat cost about what the speakers on yours guys boats cost) I guess I just like the little more exhilarating aspects of the sport. Maybe its an age thing.

[vanhanbr]

Man, I thought I was the only one with these issues! Had a similar situation last year, just taking a drive on the river with my old Sport Nautique and came up to row team boat paddling right down middle of river. I got as far away from them as I could (around 150 ft. ) and drove past them going around 28-30 mph. They got water in their boat (6" freeboard) and were upset. I came back to talk to them, not really to apologize, but more to state my case. They wanted me to slow down when passing them and didn't understand that that would actually make a bigger wake (unless of course I slowed to an idle). I did feel bad about it, but at the same time thought "What if I was skiing, wakeboarding, surfing at the time?" I don't think that I should have to stop what I was doing, so they could do what they wanted to do. I know in my Sport Nautique it didn't take that big of wave to get water in the boat.

With the economy doing better and more boats on the lake, these problems are sure to continue. I think in most cases, no one is completely right/wrong.

[swc5150]

I'm a 'seller' of this statement. Nautique offers 8 wake boats and only 2 ski boats, MC offers 12 wake and 1 ski boat, BU offers 8 wake and 2 ski boats. Wake boats are the future and surfing is a great sport for those that want something relaxing that doesn't take a toll on your body nor requires smooth water. The new wake boats and all of their features are picking up buyers of the runabout boats and some pontooners given their comfortable seating and catering to hanging out on the ski deck while floating in the cove.

Not that skiing will ever be fully phased out, it will just continue to be a small niche in the market but won't be the general preference of most buyers.

Agreed, exactly as it's always been... The big 3 slalom boats were always a niche market from day one. They've all had 1 to 2 ski boats in their line up since the 60's, so nothing new there. Wake boats have been great for their portfolios, allowing them to expand into markets dominated by I/Os. I'm all for this expansion, but for some people to think ski boats are going away because people are wakeboarding, surfing, kneeboarding (I've heard it all over the years), they're simply mistaken. I think we're thinking on the same lines though.

[G_WaTT]

75Tique... Lookin good! You're totally shredding it and I get what you're saying, but as a guy who had a tough time surfing behind an older wake boat and wanted to improve.... You have to have the right tools for the job. If you wanna learn surf tricks,... you need a decent wave, and good luck finding that in a price range of a nice speaker system.

I think the VAST majority of MOST boats on the weekend are loud, drunk, rude and disruptive, but the bans aren't to resolve these issues. The bans are to protect shorelines,... not to insure you have smoother water to ski on.

Also, to me, a huge tantrum (back flip) feels pretty exhilarating, and there's a solid chance you'll be in a world of hurt if things go south. To me it seems much more exhilarating than riding barefoot of backwards. BUT, I have never ridden slalom or barefoot, so I really can't fairly judge. Maybe it is an age thing

[Wayward]

OK, fair response for two reasons. (1) I am in your house, not mine and it really isnt my place to come into your house and criticize what you all are into over here (at PN). And (2) I will grant you that I have seen some pretty impressive moves by surfers that obviously took a long time to learn. In my defense, The VAST majority of surfers are not that guy and they are just out there being loud, drunk, rude and disruptive. And obviously its not just me, as we hear more and more about bans, proposed bans and discussions of bans. Me, personally, and I understand its just a preference thing, I dont get surfing, and admittedly, I am just a weekend warrior who isnt a competitive calibre anything, but I like to think my talent is somewhere commensurate with my equipment vs having $10 worth of talent and a $140,000 boat. (BTW, my boat cost about what the speakers on yours guys boats cost) I guess I just like the little more exhilarating aspects of the sport. Maybe its an age thing.

Killing it out there! Love the photos, and believe me, I love the exhilarating aspect. No doubt I am more excited while I'm skiing or wakeboarding. However, I am now 40, and there is only so much pounding I can take these days. I especially have cut back a bit on wakeboarding, because that definitely hurts the most.

That said, i don't really think the boat cost should have anything to do with it, and there are definitely plenty of ski boats out there that cost as much as a wakeboat. Maybe not quite as much as a G23, but definitely more than a Moomba/Axis/NXT/etc.

For the record, I can understand (and I agree), that on average, there are more disrespectful surfers, with a severe lack of boat etiquette on the water these days. But don't be fooled......that's not a surfing thing, that is a popularity thing. If skiing was as popular as surfing, you'd see just as many "Herbs" out there, being idiots with their ski boats. But instead of the common rollers, and loud music, it would be fly-byes, and roosting docks. It is an age thing. Back in the 80s and 90s the 16 year old kids were out there in dads ski boat tearing it up. Nowadays, dad has a surf boat, because that is what is popular, and that's what the kids want. All the ski guys are our age, and have learned a respect for the water and others...... a 16-25 year old doesn't have that understanding yet. They are still learning. Just like we did.

[TGoss]

75Tique...I was wrong. I admitted as much and have said I will make amends this weekend when I see the people. I should have done it on the spot. However, for you to categorize surfers as rude, arrogant and disrespectful and also take the shot if we can afford our boats is uncalled for. The fact that you feel the need to post your pictures tells me a lot.

[75Tique]

The fact the you swamped a boat and drove on tells me a lot.