Boating Etiquette

[bturner]

I'm always puzzled by people that complain about this thread or that one. By your snarky comments are you suggesting we ban or limit discussion on topics that offend or trigger you? If you're so triggered by a certain topic, simply don't read it. There's really no need to troll on a friendly site. The same people you criticize or try to belittle to make yourself seem somehow more enlightened to others are the same ones that you'll be looking for comment or assistance from should you have a question later.

But then again restricting conversation through adolescent online bullying and name calling seems to be the norm these days.

[scottb7]

Yeah, some people really prefer censorship, bullying, and shaming to the possibility of hearing something they disagree with. The morality of free speech is lost on many.

I prefer “Judge, and be prepared to be judged" as I think exploration and dialogue creates movement toward the truth and progress. But yeah, I could be wrong.

[Paul W]

I'm always puzzled by people that complain about this thread or that one. By your snarky comments are you suggesting we ban or limit discussion on topics that offend or trigger you? If you're so triggered by a certain topic, simply don't read it. There's really no need to troll on a friendly site. The same people you criticize or try to belittle to make yourself seem somehow more enlightened to others are the same ones that you'll be looking for comment or assistance from should you have a question later.

But then again restricting conversation through adolescent online bullying and name calling seems to be the norm these days.

Well written comment, thanks for that,
I agree, the snarky comments get old real fast. Its a site were we can all exchange ideas and learn things. We are just sitting around bored drinking coffee in the off season.

[Cadesun]

Where do you surf?

Southern Wisconsin.

[Johnny_Rock]

I have a slightly different point of view than I've seen posted here or elsewhere...

I'm very lucky to live in a great spot on a beautiful clean lake--and often catching myself wondering why there are not more people out enjoying it. Consider myself very, very fortunate!

[Evening Shade]

I used to let poor boating etiquette really bother me, but I've come to terms with the fact that nothing I say or do will change anything. Having said that, it still perturbs me when we have young kids wakeboarding in a smooth water cove and tubers come tear up the cove. It's frustrating, but I know nothing will ever change this behavior.

If someone is already wakeboarding or skiing in a cove we always go somewhere else. The good coves on our lake aren't very big so 1 boat is fine, but 2 is a crowd.

[Nautiquehunter]

Southern Wisconsin.

Fox lake area?

[Cadesun]

Fox lake area?

No, Turtle Lake. It is about 20 mins north of Lake Geneva. About 200 acres and with pretty restrictive wake hours (10a - 2p on weekends) so no many people know about it. The chain is fun though!

[LakesideRec]

Some fun videos to help educate about wake sport boat driving etiquette:
https://youtu.be/9ETHuqRtZMk
https://vimeo.com/wsia/buddy
https://vimeo.com/207361109
https://vimeo.com/162088944

[Nautiquehunter]

Looks like the manufactures and the WSIA are starting to see that selling surfships with NO training or education is leading to banning. 200' is not enough when you are pushing a 12000lb ship at full wake speed.

[bturner]

Well there were a lot of negative comments about Etiquette and Common Courtesy in this post but this stuff is going to come home to roost if the idiots and Noobs don't get their stuff together. Found this on the MasterCraft TT site (https://teamtalk.mastercraft.com/sho...d.php?t=103273) the other day and it's the real deal stuff that someone will eventually sneak into a lake association bye law when no one is paying attention or through a back door DNR (Department of Natural Resources) bill. Or as the result of an unfortunate injury accident from a surf wake capsizing a small boat somewhere.

The latest fleet of surf ships are hitting 25'. These are no longer ski boats or even wakeboard boats any longer. These boats are now hitting the size/ weight of what was not long ago considered small cruisers. My hope is these boats will be purchased by enthusiasts with years of experience that will operate them in a courteous and responsible manor. The reality is that it'll more likely be Hunter and Demi out cruising and surfing in their first boat (or worse Daddy's boat) without a care in the world about where they're boating or anyone around them.

[scottb7]

"Or as the result of an unfortunate injury accident from a surf wake capsizing a small boat somewhere."

The likelihood of the above happening certainly has to be going up as the boats get bigger and heavier. (7,400 dry weight plus 2,200 ballast, and up to 16 people is hella lot of weight)...And certainly when something bad happens and the rules/legislation follows it gonna dial the size of boats or weight way back on a number of lakes.

[LakesideRec]

Since acquiring an actual wake-sports boat, I now feel like I have lost any standing to complain about the wake of any other boat chopping up the lake. But as mentioned, a little courtesy goes a long way. It really doesn't take much effort to stay towards the other end of the bay when there are two boats, or go around in the same direction as the other boats when there is a crowd, or divert around an anchored pontoon or slow-moving bass boat.

However, it did take a little effort to keep a straight face myself when admonishing my teenager that an intentional fly by with full ballast past a paddle-board yoga class would NOT be funny.

[srock]

This wont change until something easier than surfing comes alone and changes the towboat market once again.

[bturner]

Too funny. Unfortunately this seems to be the direction with our culture in general.