Name:	Pontoonfisher -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/30/2018 10:32:34 AM

We have made two trips to Chucks for lunch this summer from Sandy Creek.  For those of you that have to boat regularly in that area, what a friggin nightmare.  I felt your pain when you complain about all the geniuses down that way.  We have made the trip when we had our toon but it is a whole different experience in a 21' wake boat.  I'm still relatively young (45) so I don't mind the pounding we took from the 3'-4' sea conditions.  "It is a nice place to visit but I sure would not want to live there," definitely comes to mind.

Name:	Wakin -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/30/2018 10:40:27 AM

+1 pure madness down there.  Always cringe when we have guests that want to visit the Rock or goat island.  I’m sure it’s fun for some, but not us.  Always scratch my head when seeing folks pulling tubers right through the middle of all that’s action, scary stuff!!

Name:	39KC -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/30/2018 11:44:03 AM

What's the difference between the "South end of the lake" and Sandy Creek?  

Name:	George -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/30/2018 1:56:28 PM

I guess the problem is caused by all those wake boats visiting the south end of the lake, not mention those pesky PWC's.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/30/2018 2:53:49 PM

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!   Don't let 'em know there are better places!!!!!   SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/30/2018 2:56:09 PM

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!   Don't let 'em know there are better places!!!!!   SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Name:	Old Diver -	Reply
Subject:	Wake Boats
Date:	7/30/2018 6:57:23 PM

   Wnder well established Admiralty law a boater is responsible for wake damage. Those wakes cause tremendous erosion.

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/31/2018 10:27:16 AM

George you beat me to it.

Name:	F1Fan -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/31/2018 12:34:23 PM (updated 7/31/2018 12:36:24 PM)

Funny you mention this - saw a new all-time low (high?) on the moronometer Sunday morning. 

Had run over to Chucks around 0900 and as we slowed down well before the no wake buoys my wife remarked about the fellow to our left in a ~23 bowrider and a little kid on a kneeboard deal behind. All facing directly at Chucks, between me and the yellow house on point. She speculated he was about to take off in that direction, I laughed and said surely he's just idling in for gas.........

And, I was wrong. He gives it a go but of course since it's a little tike goes only to a full-plow speed, bow up and creating maximum wake. You guessed it, he does exactly as she said and drove directly toward/across us just in front of our bow, between us and the buoys and proceeds to go at the same rate right down the buoy line and toward Greg's house pier, all about 4-6" off the buoy line. Had I not come to a complete stop from being at idle speed I would have hit the rope between boat and kid. Instead he pulls him within less than 10' of our boat and seemed not one bit concerned with that. I was alert for the kid falling of but was already stopped at this point.

Of course the HUGE rollers he had just launched are headed straight for fuel dock where a small bass boat is sitting and sends it launching into the air, almost ending up on top of the fuel dock. By the time we idle up the waves are still reverbrating off the seawall and moving the pier around. 

Grabbed what we need quickly, hop back on and pull away. As we get out past buoys look to the right and sure enough - here he comes, same plane mode, still right off shored headed back for a second round. 

What a maroon. Seriously, how can folks be so oblivious of a wake that big, let alone dragging their kid practically INTO a boat? 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/31/2018 2:36:20 PM

Sandy Creek is much worse.  Wakeboats surfing, huge cabin cruisers at 2,000 RPM, waves are usually 5 to 6 feet...no, make that 8 feet.  Stay away from Sandy Creek if you value your life and your boat!!!  Trust me.....I would never lie to you.....seriously.....

On a more serious note, we had some friends at the lake last weekend and they wanted to go see the goats.  I wasn't enthusiastic but they really wanted to go so away we want.  After 30 minutes of being pounded around on a 23 foot boat I think they realized why I wasn't thrilled with the idea.  But they got to see th goats while I idled off shore.  They were glad to get back to Sandy Creek.....oh wait, I mean it was twice as bad there as around the rock....it was awful.  Sea sickness, headaches, whiplash....it was terrible.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/31/2018 2:41:33 PM

Too bad you did not get his number and report him to the Marine Police. That is the only way to stop it.

Name:	Deckboat -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/31/2018 4:54:08 PM

This year there are way too many irresponsible boaters out on the lake.....and many don't have a clue what the "rules of the road" are.

Many of these boaters are one day visitors.....just look at the chaos around the launching ramps.  My wife has the answer....CLOSE THE RAMPS.

Name:	PTClakefan -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	7/31/2018 6:17:14 PM

Great idea!   That way only those who own lake front property could use the lake.  Just think what the marinas would charge to allow boaters to use their ramps. 

Name:	pi11pipe -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 12:06:00 AM

I think I remember that the public ramps are a law. Some of them had to be added or repaired not all that long ago to bring the number of public ramps up to an acceptable level. But I can't remember who requires it. APC? The government, if we get fed funds for something? At any rate, there are far more public ramps now than there were not that long ago, and it's because of some sort of order.

Name:	OleBamaGuy -	Reply
Subject:	Wake Boats
Date:	8/1/2018 8:44:56 AM (updated 8/1/2018 8:45:35 AM)

Tired of hearing about this law , show me one case where someone actually was compensated?

In fact, please post here is you have ever been compensated for some dumbA wakeboating too close to your dock or in a slough that common sense would tell most not to create a wake without a buoy.

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 9:23:48 AM

The one who wreak wave havoch in my area are weekend owners. 

Name:	PTClakefan -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 9:40:12 AM

Yes, I believe that Alabama Power's license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires them to maintain a certain number of access points to Lake Martin for the general public's use.

Name:	Jester -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 10:11:16 AM

My next door neighbor [weekender] just bought a d#@m wakeboat.  Now the kids take it out and create the biggest waves they can and then jump the waves with their pwc"s. They also go as slow as they can creating huge waves to ride the waves. 

We stay off the water during these times and are thankful the season will be ending soon.

Name:	Smitty -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 1:56:29 PM

Maybe we could put a list of laws/rules together to be given to each boat owner upon registration/renewal of boat...a serious, plain speaking and understandable list of etiquette requirements.  I don't think most of these people are intentionally screwing up; I think they don't know how to conduct themselves on the lake.  You would think most of it is common sense behavior but apparently not.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	East end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 3:12:30 PM (updated 8/1/2018 3:22:57 PM)

Smitty, did you mean for that to be in the Joke forum?   We have a new breed of boat owner/conductor.  The concept of destruction to pier, sea wall, bank, etc is so subjective that proving a certain boat did specific damage is difficult.  The same IDGAD attitude at ball parks, parking lots, grocery stores, etc is making its presence known on the lake.  Only change will be laws and enforcementl.  And both will be difficult.

Me,  I took steps this year to reinforce my floating pier and the mooring whips that try to keep my boat at bay.  But the current craze of boat surfing (how can that be more fun the good old skiing and wake boarding), and the 100 fold increased traffic to Parker Creek because of The Landing (which I am glad to have nearby) give me new challenges.  But I must say the grandkids LOVE bouncing on the tube over those big waves.  I just can't go to the center of the lake on Saturday, have to wait for them to come closer.

Name:	Wakely -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/1/2018 3:38:20 PM

I had hoped the Boating Licence law would have helped, but that was before I knew that it was going to be a kindergarten-level test (seriously, I'm surprised that they don't require the test-takers to use crayons) that encourages cheating (at least, the online version does.)

Name:	Maddog -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/2/2018 6:42:51 AM

Jester.....I guess your next door neighbor saw that new beautiful seawall and thought it would be okay to buy the big wake boat and come by your house. 

Name:	Jester -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/2/2018 9:10:18 AM

That  new seawall is  a blessing.  With the wave activity level this season being so high I am afraid most of my lot would have been washed away. I actually have waves coming over the wall.

Only a month left and maybe they will go jhome.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/2/2018 7:00:57 PM

  Hate to bust your bubble there are no more ramps now.  Unless you count the one built a owner houses.

Name:	pi11pipe -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/3/2018 12:52:40 AM

No more ramps? Wanna bet?

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/3/2018 7:22:38 AM

I will take that bet!

You may be remembering the extensions added to a few ramps during the drought of '07.

Name:	39KC -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/3/2018 9:44:44 AM

19 boat ramps

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/3/2018 4:18:42 PM

Union boat ramp

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	The "real" South end of the lake
Date:	8/9/2018 1:48:55 AM

I haven't had any problems here on the southern south (and west) end of the lake, but as full timers we rarely go out on weekends.... so we might be misiing the fun.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	That map is wrong
Date:	8/9/2018 10:45:12 AM

There are no public ramps in the Sandy Creek area.  I will have to demand a revision to remove them from this map.  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	The "real" South end of the lake
Date:	8/9/2018 12:39:56 PM

Full timers and we never go out on the lake on the weekends.  Went out this morning and we didn't see another boat the whole time we were out there.

Name:	Summer Place -	Reply
Subject:	Wake Boats
Date:	8/12/2018 4:28:24 PM

Wakeboard boats should be limited to areas where there are no  residences. Not only has it gotten to the point of damage to shoreline and property but could cause injury to young swimmers getting tossed into docks or boats.

Name:	Kudzilla -	Reply
Subject:	South end of the lake
Date:	8/13/2018 9:36:46 PM

My property seawalls were installed in the mid 50's  and reinforced in the 60's. That was a time when it was fun to boat on Lake Martin and it was safe to take your family out for a day of boating. People called the lake back then a pontoon boat lake, fishing boats and some speed boats, Most boaters were courtious to each other. I remember a person W.E. Love that had a drag boat that could go 80  miles per hour, but he would do it in a safe way away from the other boaters and not right in front of the property owners. Thru the years the new boating people seem to not have any respect for other boaters or property owners.

I have a nice pontoon boat  now that I take out out of the lake in May and not put back in until mid September when most of the AHoles are gone. Maybe some laws could improve things but we  will just have to wait and see. 

After 63 years since I was 12 years old I can only hope it gets better, not worst for my grands.