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| Name: |
TotheLake
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| Subject: |
People need to learn how to plane their boats
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Date:
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7/6/2010 4:43:57 PM
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We were coming back from the fireworks and when we got around Willow Point Golf Course, we hit a wake that we didn't see. The front end of the pontoon boat went under water up to the middle of the front seats and the motor came out of the water. My husband and his brother had water up to their knees! Thank God our 6 year old daughter (who was wearing a life jacket) moved to the back of the boat right before the fireworks ended because she was tired. We managed to lose one flip flop, 2 cell phones were soaked and my $800 Nikon camera no longer works. I know those items can be replaced but it is ashame that we have to be out that money because of someone not paying attention to how they drive their boat.
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
People need to learn how to plane their boats
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Date:
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7/6/2010 4:56:37 PM
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I am glad you came out of that without much damage. I have had my boat since 1999, and still do not consider myself experienced enough to venture out to the big outings at night. I just hang around the home base. I hear too many stories like yours.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
People need to learn how to plane their boats
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Date:
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7/6/2010 4:59:32 PM
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My observation this weekend was there seemed to be more boaters on the lake that didn't seem to understand courtesy or common sense. It was such a glorious weekend that it brought a lot of boaters out of the woodwork.
My pet peeve is boaters that pull floats and churn up the water in the more isolated areas that people are trying to ski in. When we pull our floats we go right to the big water so our waves don't disrupt the skiers. They have every right to be there but I can't understand why they want to pull floats and make big waves in calmer areas when they can get way more bang for their buck in the open. On the positive side, there were several of us pulling skiers/wakeboards along a narrow uninhabited slew and all were courteous to take a turn with the calm water and let the others have a run. Also had several boats running along churning up a wake slow down to idle near our skiers in the water so they could get out. Lot's of courteous people out there as well.
Either way, was the most pleasant weather on the lake for the fourth in a long, long time. Sorry to hear about your mishap. It is one of many reasons why I don't go out on the 4th at night. Fireworks from the shore works just fine for me.
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| Name: |
DaBurglar
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| Subject: |
What is the solution
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Date:
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7/6/2010 5:19:30 PM
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Should we start a boat club or what to get education out to others?
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
I think we hit the same wave
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Date:
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7/6/2010 5:29:18 PM
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I was the pilot and got a good soaking when we hit that sucker; thankfully all my passengers were on the rear seat and only got a little wet. Even returning from the fireworks it is surprising when a wave comes over the deck.
Unless you saw the culprit it may well have been what they refer to as a "rogue" wave that is one of those freaks where several decent sized waves just happen to arrive at the same place and time. Plus, depending on the size of the boat it may not have been safe to be going fast enough to put it on a plane. Lord only knows I was more concerned about the fast boats than the slower ones.
That being said, there were those who are just playing with a deck that is a few cards short. One pontoon boat was idling along at the north side of the open water before you get to Sand Island....perpendicular to everyone else who was trying to get to Willow Point/Parker Creek etc. I had to slow to a crawl just to keep from hitting them broadside. Then there were those who decided to start out from the Sinclairs area toward the dam just after the fireworks ended - talk about a surprise - seeing boats with a green nav light in front of the white anchor light going in the opposite direction of hundreds of boats going home.
But, all in all I am glad you all are safe, but sorry about your camera. That has to be a real bummer.
Hope the rest of your summer is great,
Nasreddin Hodja
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
Never ceases to amaze me.
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Date:
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7/6/2010 6:02:31 PM
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If you can't see at night, why do otherwise intelligent people risk their lives by mingling with the fools, drunks, idiots, novices, etc., on the lake just to see a mediocre fireworks show. Stay at home, shoot fireworks, drink all you want, be safe. Doesn't that make a little sense?
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| Name: |
NautiqueFrk
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| Subject: |
Never ceases to amaze me.
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Date:
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7/6/2010 7:22:26 PM
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I too, hear your problems, but I think alot of us forget, that under the water condtions at the time, some boats are not suitable for the type of water that one may see. I myself would not take a low freeboard or Pontoon boat into the ocean with rough seas. You would be asking for trouble. Take sometime to do some research on hull displacement. I think you will find that a Pontoon Boat will have no displacement. Under the conditions that night, and the amount of boats on the lake in a given area, anybody would have a hard time. Shore line is to close and waves seem to intense even more. these are just my thoughts. But as things progress, it will get even worse, for I watch from the Ridge Marina that night, which was about the 5th time from there, and was amazed at the number of boats I saw headed down to watch. I own a 36' SeaRay and have been boating for 40 years, and know when it is too much. This is just my two cents worth.
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Well I knew my new boat can make A large wake, and no,,, I was not out on the open for the show so it was not me ;).
I stayed at mariah1's dock for the night and filmed the show from there. "Great view from land." But, speaking of trim and wake... I found it's better to drive my boat at 6.7 MPH, just above idle 1500 RPM than to dog on it, make a big wake and burn .97 MPG.... If every one would do that till the separation got a bit more dispersed it would be better. be nice to have a 4th BTC. Boat Traffic Control.
Last year I was out in the NC II and almost lost the boat to the waves.
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| Name: |
NautiqueFrk
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| Subject: |
Never ceases to amaze me.
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Date:
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7/6/2010 7:40:17 PM
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I also forgot to say too. Most of the Pontoon Boats, I saw were, well over their rated load as well, which would even make matters even worse in these conditions. A boat will only hold so many people. Take a look around are we all running safe, check your manufacture name plate rating as far as weight.
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| Name: |
TotheLake
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| Subject: |
Never ceases to amaze me.
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Date:
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7/6/2010 7:54:02 PM
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We were well within our weight and people limit on the boat. Max 16 people and weight was 2500 I believe. 4 adults, 1 teenager and 1 6 year old. We've gone out in the past and never had a problem. We've been on the lake for 10 years and I grew up on the lake. We stayed a safe distance from the major crowd, we were right around Sand Island.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
ToTheLake
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Date:
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7/6/2010 8:26:44 PM
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Save my post till next July 4th, pull it out and read it before you get on any boat headed towards the bedlam. It may save your next camera, or your life.
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| Name: |
NautiqueFrk
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| Subject: |
Never ceases to amaze me.
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Date:
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7/6/2010 8:51:00 PM
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Glad to know you were not over loaded, but I have to ask you a question. If you have ever been to Destin FL and cross the bridge to Fort Walton and looked over at the pass to the ocean. Would you have taken your pontoon with the same people onboard thru the pass into the Gulf of Mexico? I am far from being a expert on boat construction, but some boats are not built for the water conditions that a rise in the situation, that you were in Sunday night. You made the decision to go to the fireworks, you knew the risk. Do not blame all the problems, at hand on someone else's ability to drive a boat. I only trying to point out, there are other things, that may have contributed to your problem. I have first hand seen the damage from a rogue wave at the Guntersville Yacht club 2 years ago, you would be surprise of the results, total distroyed. As long as there are fireworks, people will go, and the ones who have learned not to, will stay home. But as the boat number gets bigger, you will only be a small part. I will close in saying again, and I love pontoons just has much as you do, they are not designed for the water conditions you saw the other night. My SeaRay under the same conditions, would not have been a party to have been on.
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| Name: |
Pontoon
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| Subject: |
lol
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Date:
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7/6/2010 8:54:19 PM
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
People need to learn how to plane their boats
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Date:
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7/6/2010 8:56:20 PM
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This is why we don't go out to the fireworks or other events of mass proportions on the lake. I don't want to be the victim of some fool. I wish I had grown up with boats, but I didn't -- I'm still a newbie.
Sorry about your cells and your camera. Will your boat or homeowners policy cover the loss?
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Never ceases to amaze me.
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Date:
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7/6/2010 9:43:57 PM
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We'll have to agree to disagree on one thing. I've returned from the fireworks at least five times in a 19 foot Glastron ski boat and since 2004 every year in a 25 foot pontoon. Have always felt safer and more in control on the pontoon. And, since it has been there and back every year since 2004 with no signs of stress whatsoever, I would have to say that it must have been designed to handle those conditions.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
The 1/16 wits will always be with us.....
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Date:
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7/6/2010 10:09:36 PM
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| Name: |
Keith Mathis
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| Subject: |
I didnt know they let women drive boats now...
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Date:
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7/7/2010 9:00:54 AM
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On a serious note... These idiots driving around with their docking lights on, bumpers out, and their non-chipped dogs need to stay off the lake. They are probably a bunch of Alabama fans.
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| Name: |
lakgal
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| Subject: |
I didnt know they let women drive boats now...
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Date:
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7/7/2010 1:52:58 PM
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Keith, you seem to have a few issues
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there are big differences in pontoons. My old Harris was fine, but I had to be careful in situations like what happens on a busy day or a holiday (even when way under the max load limit). Rogue waves/wake could take it by surprise. I never blamed any one person because the problems were from the mass traffic and I knew to be careful. That is just part of lake life
My new Bennington tritoon has been very capable of handling everything Lake Martin has been able to throw at it, but I'm still careful on busy days.
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| Name: |
charlesph30
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| Subject: |
People need to learn how to plane their boats
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Date:
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7/11/2010 11:35:52 AM
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Unfortunately the lake is full of people that think they are important; don't care and have no clue what the rules are or care to follow them if they do.
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