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Name:	The Loner -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/12/2006 11:21:01 AM

Don, I received an email from you. I tried to respond, but my response was returned because of an "invalid return address." But I thought you want want everyone to know what was said, so I am posting my response here.

Sorry, Don, I feel that this bill is the opposite: it is intended to HELP the "poor" people, those who cannot afford to buy the large boats that are needed to enjoy the waters of Lake Martin. No longer will a middle-class family be forced to spend a minimum of $25,000 for a second-hand behemoth (and that $25,000 figure is a dream; the usual prices for a used cruiser are often much, much more) just so they can enjoy Lake Martin along with the more fortunate. If this bill is passed, the waters of Lake Martin will once again be safe for johnboats and small fishing boats, and enjoyable for boats the 17-to-19 footers that, not too many years ago, were considered "big."

As for your attempt to portray these boats as gentle giants that "cruise slowly, create little wakes, and cause no trouble for anybody..." Get real. Perhaps you never leave the confines of Anchor Bay; you should. You see, not everyone is blessed to have a large NO WAKES buoy in front of their lakehouse. Because of that buoy that sits at the mouth of Anchor Bay, you apparently see boats that cruise at idle speed. But out in the lake, that's not the case. Out in the lake, where the rest of us are trying to enjoy ourselves, these boats open it up... to about 1/4 throttle, which (as you should know) creates a huge wake, much bigger than if they were to actually run at cruising speed. (I'm sure many of them would like to go faster, but they probably don't feel comfortable doing so, since the lake is too small and too crowded for boats such as theirs. Small wonder, since such boats are meant for bodies of water much larger than Lake Martin.)

I fully understand your opposition to this bill, since you make a living renting slips to these boats, and selling the gas that fills their large tanks. I won't begrudge you for trying to make a living, though I do wish that more people who live on the lake would spend more time counting their blessings, and less time counting their money. But for you to portray this bill as something to hurt the poor people? Sorry, you are just wrong, and since I know you are not stupid, I have to believe that your misrepresentation is on purpose. That is just plain deceitful, and it sickens me.

Name:	AnchorbayDon -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/12/2006 6:44:34 PM

I know most of the cabin cruiser owners on the lake and VERY FEW could afford a lot & cabin on Lake Martin today. If you have one, say your blessings and be happy, just don't try to exclude others who are less fortunate!

I AM on the lake virtually every day of the year and I believe the increased wake activity is more related to the increased number of boats more than to their size. There are a few idiots who are irresponsible, just as there are with wakeboard boats, PWC's, bass boats, etc.

Name:	AnchorbayDon -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/12/2006 6:59:45 PM

Everybody knows who I am and what I stand for. It's real easy to hide behind an alias and throw rocks, isn't it? How come we've never seen you on the forum before, LONER?

Name:	The Loner -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/12/2006 8:18:43 PM

You have seen me on this forum before, though it has been a while.

And I'll take the bait you've offered, though let me say up front that I'd like to see you call out the other anonymous posters just as vehemently; by my estimation, that means everyone but you and, soon, me.

My story: first, I don't own a house on the lake, of any size; I can't afford it, and I know that for a fact because I've looked. A lot. So I do what my family has done since before I was born (in 1961, if it matters.) I rent. And, as of 1999, renting is a hardship, one I can afford only because the cabin is shared with another family. But, life is still good enough (and my father still loves the lake enough, even if he doesn't get to visit very often) that the hardship is manageable, and still worth it. How long will it be either one? I don't know, and that's why I try to enjoy every lake day as if it were my last, because someday soon, it will be.

As for boats, the boat I currently own is the second biggest boat my family has ever had; since we've been on the lake almost 50 years, we're talking about many boats. It's all of 18 feet long. And, it rarely gets used on the weekends, because it can't handle the waves, at least not comfortably. In fact, my wife won't ride in it at all on the weekends, because the violent bouncing aggraves a neck injury, an injury she originally suffered on a particularly rough ride.

The previous boats we have owned include a 12-foot johnboat, a slightly larger fishing boat (15 feet, 35 HP), a Caravelle and three Stingrays ranging from 16 to 17'9", a 20-foot Glassmaster, and two that we had when I was very young; the best I can do for those two is tell you that the first one was green, and the second blue. (It was a long time ago.)

One thing that all of these boats had in common was that they could handle-- with ease-- the worst that the lake could dish out. Yes, some days were calmer than others, but the roughest days we saw back then never caused neck injuries; they were never even so rough that I'd term a boat ride "unpleasant." Today, that's not the case... even though I have a boat that is bigger than all but one of those previous vessels.

But though my boat is bigger than the boat I had 20 years ago, the waves are exponentially bigger. I can state without hesitation that the roughest water seen on any July 4th weekend pre-1986 was calmer than any typical Saturday in the last five years. Because it's not just the number of boats on the water, but the size of too many of them. Big boats create big wakes, and big wakes are not only bigger waves, but bigger waves that don't dissipate as quickly.

You and I are going to have to disagree on this issue, and that's fine. I'll even continue to frequent Anchor Bay, and not because it's the closest marina to my cabin. (Which, incidentally, it is not.) And I'll still spend money there, though not as much as I would if I was burning more gas in the boat; when you don't boat on weekends because of the pounding, and no one wants to ski because the water is too rough, a tank of gas goes an amazingly long way.

I'll also continue to resent this being turned into a "rich vs. poor" battle, with the "poor" being characterized as those who can afford boats that cost more than most of the houses I've ever lived in. No, the poor people in this battle are those like me, who can't afford to buy a boat big enough to handle the waves the other boats are throwing at us. (And speaking for myself, I wouldn't buy one anyway; I firmly believe that there SHOULD be a size-limit on the lake, and the boats in question exceed it..

Am I mad? You betcha. I'm mad that people like me are being forced from the lake by houses that are too big, and forced off the water by boats that are too big; when someone then calls me a "rich person who's trying to take the lake away from the rest of us," then that anger intensifies.

Who am I? I'm someone who has been on the lake since the day I was born, and whose family was on the lake before that. My family has contributed to the local economy by paying rent since the 1950s, and has bought at least 12 boats in that time. I've worked on the lake, and since 1988 have written about the lake, every month.

My name is Bailey Jones; anyone who wants to email me can do so at baileyjones (at) mindspring.com.

So let's hear from everyone; Don called me out, and I'm sure he's about to call the rest of you out, too. I stepped out from behind my alias; will you?

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/12/2006 9:19:49 PM

Loner, if you hide behind an alias that long, just stay in the closet.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	I don't think
Date:	3/12/2006 9:44:43 PM

that was Bailey ... He is sentimental guy but not venomous. Maybe we need a breathalizer befor posting... ( I could use one too at times)

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	You are right
Date:	3/12/2006 9:46:54 PM

as rain. The Lake Lanier explosion in large boats was fueled by high prices of lake property. Large cruisers and houseboats were an alternative.

Name:	wedoseadoo -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/12/2006 10:08:33 PM

I will have to say I can remember a time not too long ago when you could ride a standup jet ski on this lake or go sking or just ride around and have a good time.You could do all this without having a 50 thousand dollar boat that cost 500.00 to ride for a day either.Those days are long gone I am afraid,I have seen the pwcs go from a two man unit being acceptable to now a three man unit is barely big enough to get by.Is it the big boats that are to blame,you bet ya,once they started showing up it all escalated to bigger and bigger boats till the days of your average family going to the lake and having fun were over.Now that may suit some of you lake owners just fine but that last time that I cared to look this is a public lake and public covers a lot of people not just those that own property here or those that own big boats.Personally I would like to see a calmer gentler lake ,call me nostalgic or not.If that means some people with big boats have to leave so the rest of us can have our lake back and not have to go to the Alabama river to have fun then so be it.

Name:	Chevy4x4 -	Reply
Subject:	My Opinion! Read me..
Date:	3/12/2006 10:31:44 PM

My family has owned a place on the lake since 1947. So obivoulsy the three generations who have enjoyed this priceless estate have seen many changes. If my grandfather could voice his opinion he would tell anyone with a boat longer than 14ft and more power than a 50 merc belongs on the ocean and not a lake.

I have a great respect for people like CatBoat who can afford a large powerful boat. But ONLY because he operates it safely putting everyone else on the lake before himself.

Some people don't operate those boats safely. Take into account the multiple boat wrecks we have had on islands. The one in particular I recall involved a rather large and powerful boat... that can be argued doesn't belong on the lake in the first place. I fear someday this kind of behavior might result in a tragdey.

On the flip side I don't think it is fair for people who own large cruisers in which they live/spend their weekends. The only reason I have a place on the lake is because my grandfather bought it many years ago when you could actually afford like property. It's not fair to tell these people they can't enjoy the lake and live on their boats.

I'd like to see less overcrowding on the lake. And put in simple terms: this isn't going to happen. Because eveyone has the right to bring their boat to the wonderful lakes of Alabama and enjoy what all of us treasure so dearly. Us veterans of the lake will just have to enjoy the off season and the once-in-awhile peace the week days offer.

In the end I can say the bill should not be passed.

After all, If I could aford a go-fast-loud-boat. I guarantee that I would buy one. And someday I will, and i sure hope I can tie up on Lake Martin.

Alias:

Chris Thompson
Gardendale, AL
ChrisThompson@att.net

Resident: Kowaliga Bay Estates
Owner: 96 Baja Outlaw

Name:	WSMS -	Reply
Subject:	Welcome back!
Date:	3/13/2006 12:36:30 AM

I always had a feeling that you were lurking out there, reading the posts and alternating between laughing at fuming.

What do you think about this idea? Don can get rid of his wetslips, and replace them with a condo, with units that are the same size as the typical cabin on one of those cruisers. AS I understand it, people would be happy to pay plenty for something like that, since they're already paying plenty for their boats.

Or, we they could just have the engines removed form thier boats. After all, we're told they never use them anyway, right? So they'd be getting rid of something they don't use, and replacing it with some additional space, which they probably do need.

Think this proposal will go over well? Or will someone have ot admit that maybe, just maybe, they DO take these boats out on the water?

Once again, welcome back! This time, I hope you'll stay... especially since it appears that you and JIM actually agree on something!

Name:	WSMS -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/13/2006 12:38:24 AM

"In the closet?" If you mean what I think you mean, you've just slandered someone. And, not an anonymous someone, either. Maybe you want to re-state what you said?

Name:	Council Roc Doc -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/13/2006 9:07:50 AM

Bailey, first let me say that we bought and enjoyed your last book and have always benefited from your insight in the Lake Martin Living pieces. However, I still maintain that this issue is not about returning Alabama lakes to their pristine beginnings. As has been already cited, a 29"6" behemoth with 499 HP would be perfectly within the law as it has been proposed and still be capable of reeking the same havoc. Something is amiss here and call me a conspiracy theorist, but this smells like big money and we seem to be narrowly focusing on perceived repercussions instead of the true intent of the legislation.

Name:	AnchorbayDon -	Reply
Subject:	Number of boats is the problem
Date:	3/13/2006 9:31:08 AM

In a marketing effort 2 years ago, we went dock-to-dock and surveyed the boats on the lake (south of Pleasure Point) There were more than 4,700 runabouts, ski boats & fishing boats, 850 PWC's, and about 220 cabin cruisers.

Everybody needs to face the fact that our lake has become very popular and there are far more boats here than ever before. This means rougher water and more waves, whether or not you take away the cruisers.

If there was not the rush of new people coming to the lake, do you think the property values would have skyrocketed?

Banning certain boats is not the answer. Putting a ban on new dock construction on the lake might be. Look at all the condos under construction all over the lake. There will soon be concentrations of docks and boats (and traffic) in several areas of the lake and I doubt that big boats will be part of the problem.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	I can see
Date:	3/13/2006 10:31:04 AM

both sides of this issue. What you say here is correct. The wake/ safety issue is more a function of the number of boats. But then the size thing kicks in. People start to buy bigger and bigger boats just to be able to use the lake comfortably. I used to ride a stand up Jet Ski on Lanier too.

Of course what is ignored here is the type of boat. Houseboats are generally operated in a manner that don't generate near the wake of a 30 ft cruiser plowing along and don't cause the safety problems to other boaters. BTW I think the big marina operators would love to see these come in so I don't think the conspiracy theory holds water.

The restriction of big boats does put a cap on the volume of water being displaced by each boat and then make the problem a single issue one- traffic. My opinion this is the lesser of the evils if we must have one. It needs to be done a little more intelligently though than what I have read or understand so far.

I think trying to restrict the # of docks is a corrollary of the instant native syndrome-I'm here, now nobody else can come.

I think the lake is going to grow and that's that. Hey! I would like to see it a one person lake...mine. But instead of whining I would rather see more efforts placed on licensing, education and enforcement. Lake Martin will still be a very low density and relatively undeveloped lake. It's a matter of perspective.

Name:	LittleKowaliga -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/13/2006 12:01:10 PM

Can't imagine a conspiracy that would include a ban on a 31 foot boat but not a 29 footer. If you suspect that intent of the legislation is so that developers can offer a more enjoyable lake to play on for those who don't want to drive 30 foot plus boats, I expect you are absolutely right.

I expect the more reasonable explanation for the 30.5 foot limit is just that you have to limit the length somewhere. There is always going to be something just under the limit that creates about the same problem, whether the limit is 40, 30 or 20. I expect the limit they chose is based on an effort to affect as few boats and people as possible but still get at the root of the problem, which is offshore boats being used on inland lakes.

Name:	LittleKowaliga -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/13/2006 12:06:59 PM

Also correct that number of boats is the main culprit. I assume that you are not suggesting a restriction on the number of boats on the lake though. That wouldn't do much for gas sales.

Legislature is attacking the problem the only way that is feasible. If you can't regulate the number of boats, you have to regulate their size and power.

Name:	joyrider -	Reply
Subject:	wakes
Date:	3/13/2006 12:14:25 PM

To me, it seems the size of a boat doesn't have much to do with it's wake. I mean, I've spent the last few weekends doing yard work so I've seen the calm peaceful side of the lake. As the day went by, I saw several differant size boats go by. From flat bottom fishing boats, to bass boats, a "go fast loud boat" or two and one HUGE house boat with a motor that was louder than I have ever heard out of CATS boat.
On a calm day, the flat bottom fishing boat had just as large a wake as the house boat. No lie. I was actually amazed and amused.
Our boat is a 21 ft deckboat. There are occations when the water is a little rougher than usual. But on days like that, we wait. There are times during the day, we have a chance to pull the kids on a tube or their wakeboard safely. I do fear the boaters who "ride our platform" or those
PWC riders who want to jump whatever wake we make, but please,...back off if we have kids in tow. (or you just might have one mad momma giving you the finger!) Anyway,.... I think if people have a problem
with the "white caps", I say stay out of the main water way -which I consider the large area that runs under the bridge by Sinclaire's.
That water IS more choppy, but it's a high traffic area, it's expected.

I think the most frightening thing we've "lived through" is the first time we ventured out on the 4th. We didn't even venture far, but as soon as the fire work show was over, it was like someone shot the gun to start the race and yelled "GO". EVERYONE rushed by us like we were standing still (and we weren't). Once we reached our pier, we sat in amazment how fast everyone sped by trying to get home,.... IN THE DARK!

Okay,...I guess the moral of this story is "we learned our lesson", we haven't tried getting out at night since. There's a lesson to learn wherever you are on the lake, you just have to watch (be safe) and learn from it.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	wakes
Date:	3/13/2006 3:54:36 PM

Big boats are not a problem and fast boats aren't either......but stupidity and ignorance is a growing concern with the population growth at the lake.

As I've said before, I think a night time speed limit should be imposed. I agree that a large percentage of boaters go much faster than what is safe at night; about 50-75% from what I've seen, and I'm sure that number includes many of the good folks on this forum. I have also been guilty of going too fast. After almost getting run over a few years ago (by someone I know is an experienced boater) I now stay below 15mph at night. The friend (who almost split my boat in half) does too. I believe most folks would have a tough time living with themselves if they hurt or killed someone. We must all realize what could happen if we are not very cautious; no matter how good we think we are.

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	My Opinion! Read me..
Date:	3/13/2006 10:47:50 PM

Chevey 4x4, your post is honest. We all have to concetrate on the well being of others. Safety is foremost and must be obeyed. We all enjoy boating, and do so in different ways. The recent post remind me of KATRINA, now finger pointing and a divided area. It is ashamed. I look foreward to the day we meet in person. If the law does'nt pass, I'll have your new engine ready for install at 1/2 price. LOL>
Steve

Name:	Geno -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/14/2006 9:16:23 PM

Don @ anchorbay Hey, this post has absolutely nothing to do wish the ongoing discussion, only a friendly note in passing. I believe we've had words awhile back as it related to of all things "Cincinnati Chilli " and the fact you may have once lived in Fort Thomas Kentucky. Long ago I mentioned family living on the lake and you may already of my reunion with my loved ones nearly a month ago.. What an awesome time it was and I believe you may know of the neighborhood I was in.. Eclectic, near Castaways Island Road, for all I know, you may know the great folks that happen to be relations.. I'm beginning to plan my return. When, don't know exactly whe, yet. But as Arnold would say.. I'll be back!

Take care, stay light hearted and every once in a while go jump in the lake or tell others too.. Heck, I'm ready. Feel free in responding. It's turned cold again! Burrrrrrr.. Or is that booooooo.. later. Geno

Name:	GhostOfSally -	Reply
Subject:	Open Letter to Don
Date:	3/17/2006 6:44:03 PM

I hope you'll continue to post, so we can see the progress of your Remedial English lessons!

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