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| Name: |
sagetek
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/9/2008 6:46:18 PM
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The kids took the pontoon boat out over Memorial Day and got pulled over by the marine police and checked. Reason given was people were standing up in front of the driver blocking his field of view. The console is towards the back of the boat. Field of view would have been 180 degrees at least. They were in full safety compliance, and no drinking driver of underage alcohol was found.
I guess now in addition to not having any alcohol on the boat, you can't stand up inside the railing?
Anybody else have this happen?
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| Name: |
DJ
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/9/2008 6:49:04 PM
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A friend of mine was pulled over for "standing up driving the boat" he was standing to the left of the steering wheel. He was told if you are standing there you are not in control of the boat?
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Maybe it is Overdue?
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Date:
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6/9/2008 7:17:09 PM
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I have been on LM for 18 years, and the Marine Patrol in that time has been virtually "Invisible". One stop for an expired sticker ($80) and one for a "LookSee". No ticket.
The Marine Patrol monitors this site, and over the last 8 months many of us have complained violently about the lack of "Safe Boating Conduct/Wake Damage/Drinking/Speed/Noise/etc, etc". Maybe they are just reacting to our complaints?? Just exactly what they are hired to do??
No Foul?. No Harm.
I do not know what my sons do when they are in their cars and out of my sight. I'll bet none of us do, for sure? But, if they are driving intoxicated, or otherwise threatening to KILL someone else, whether in a car or a boat, SOMEONE ELSE, then my child needs to be slapped down, and Hard.
I don't know about you, but this next week I am having my Kill Switch installed, counting my jackets, testing light/safety equipment/ and talking Safety to my kids and guests.
Afterall,,,,,, No Foul,,,, No Harm.
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| Name: |
DJ
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| Subject: |
Maybe it is Overdue?
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Date:
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6/9/2008 7:56:47 PM
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Trust me I'm not complaining at all, just making folks aware what they are stopping folks for. I have been stopped several times myself, once for no lanyard hooked up in my boat, $280.00 fine. Needless to say I wear it every time I start the boat. I hope they are pulling more folks over
that need to be pulled over.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Maybe it is Overdue?
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Date:
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6/9/2008 8:12:41 PM
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Been there done that on all my boats.
Thought I had 12 life jackets on the Pontoon and only had 10. Now have 12.
A bunch of small children at our lake house couple of weekends ago which made me revisit the rule on required wearing of life jackets for children. - Age is 8 and below, for some reason I thought it was 6.
Fire Extinguishers were old, but still OK. Replaced all anyway with readable gauge type - $12.00 at Wal Mart.
All boats now have small air horns as back ups as never know when on board horn may go out. Plus collapsible paddles in case of emergency.
Borrowed a friends pontoon. His extinguisher was expired, no PFD throw cushion. So took mine from another boat. Told him he had a ticket waiting to happen if we was pulled over and checked.
All PWCs now have new mounted extinguisher, whistles, tow ropes, etc.
I for one have said this many times, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE MARINE POLICE. And if they pull me or my children over to check our safety equipment or sight me for a violation of the law, so be it.
I just wish we could have about 4 more officers on the lake on the weekends. As a couple of incidents this weekend while I was pulling skiers (within a one hour time period), do not think these young folks have a clue that a boat in tow has the right away. Had to stop twice while towing skiers in a large slough to let a PWC have the right away, as they were not even looking directly ahead but at the shoreline and each other. Each time we were within 100 yds and they were not giving way so I just stopped the boat and dropped the skier.
URL: Boating Equipment Checklist
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Maybe it is Overdue?
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Date:
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6/9/2008 8:22:26 PM
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I really think that the Marine Patrol is out in force, issuing citations, being more Visible,,,,, because WE ASKED FOR IT!!! We did. Look back at our posts for the last few months.
They are stopping boats for the very same reason that the Alabama Highway Patrol would stop me or you on the highway /// flashing beer cans/ driving erratically/ acting while driving (boat/car) like you are a danger to everybody else around you.
I dearly like my "Sundown Cruise" at LM with a tall "Refreshment" in the cupholder. But, neither me nor my passengers are gonna' do anything to invite a problem. If it happens, and I get locked up, I will be back later to complain about a Marine Patrol out of control,,, Later
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| Name: |
Aardvark
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| Subject: |
Maybe it is Overdue?
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Date:
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6/9/2008 9:46:17 PM
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18 years without a citation from the Marine Police? I guess you never met Ned.
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| Name: |
sagetek
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| Subject: |
Slapdown coming
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Date:
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6/9/2008 9:51:29 PM
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I'm sure I will get "negative" ratings for this.
It seems now, and does anyone else sense this, that if we are not in perfect complianec with Marine Patrol etiquette, we should be pulled over ane ticketed? They were once our friends, but now they seem to be on a Church ordained quest to arrest boaters.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
You know what...
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Date:
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6/9/2008 10:02:42 PM
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We all want folks ticketed or off the lake that are causing a danger to others or themselves. Most if us all know the proper basic safety equipment that is supposed to be on the boat. We all know the simple rules of the road.
But lately I have been hearing weird stories the MP is doing... giving stops and tickets that sound borderline or over the top.
It's like the state legislatures that pass laws give a costly DUI to a poor schmucko that was out on a business diner that has .02 % too much alchohol while the system lets the convicted, unlicensed, no insurance drunks driving out on the street kill somebody.
I hope I'm overreacting but there may be a little imbalance here. For example where the are the MP's when the newbie boater drags his kids on a tube in front of traffic in a narrow channel? I see this all the time.
Do we have some new MP's that don't exercise common sense?
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| Name: |
Hawks Nest
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/9/2008 11:14:07 PM
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A few weeks ago I was pulling the kids on a tube and I was standing. The MP passed me, gave a short burst of the siren and a finger point downward. I sat like a trained dog.
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| Name: |
DJ
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| Subject: |
You know what...
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Date:
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6/10/2008 4:05:28 AM
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Not trying to be a smarta$$ but a boat towing a tuber or skiers has the "right of way" I always watch which way they appear to be going and either stop and let them go by or swing wide of them and give plenty of room.
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 8:39:11 AM
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IMHO the currently administered test focuses to much on "safety issues", like which way to approach a dock in certain conditions and not near enough on "the rules of the road". If standard driving test did this same thing the roads and hiways would be a jumbled mess. If I was in charge it would consist of two sections. One for the rules of the road that would require 100% accuracy to pass and a second section on "safety issues" that would only require 80% accuracy to pass.
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| Name: |
Bob
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 8:52:14 AM
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I agree with you Sagetek...many others probably do but its not popular to say so. You have to stand up, salute, and say thank you sir I will have another...this year has been different it seems....I am a rule follower and respect our Officers but hate to see "petty stops"...get the bad guys and leave the family of four on the Pontoon boat alone unless they are doing something stupid. The "Random Checks" seem to have gotten out of hand with little probable cause...
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 8:55:28 AM
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I have only had two interactions with Marine Patrol and neither were particularly pleasant. The first was I had inadvertently put the wrong registration number on a jet ski. When they pulled me over about it I told them I got the number off the registration form and his response was very denigrating, and for no reason. I was new to the lake and made an honest mistake with the lettering so there was no reason for him to be so demeaning. Maybe he had a bad hair day.
My second interaction was their responding to a psychotic neighbor who kept blaming me for making wakes coming out of our slough when it was another neighbor with a similar boat. I found the MP to be rude and unnecessarily unpleasant. While he was there a neighbor shot at a snake in the water and he said, "Wait here while I go take care of the firearm violation". Apparently there was none because he was back harassing us in no time. He just came off as very unhappy with his job and he was more than happy to take it out on me.
I am all for the work they do but I went 2 for 2 on bad experiences with them. I have several friends and acquaintances that are police officers and they try very hard not to be nasty when dealing with ordinary folks. I know they don't have a pleasant job but I wish they could go about their valuable business in a more pleasant way. I recognize that all they hear are complaints, problems, whining from overly sensitive homeowners, etc. but I wish they had some training in interpersonal communication and interaction.
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| Name: |
green,ed
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 9:54:54 AM
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All the complaining is a good sign.
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| Name: |
BoatsRFun
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| Subject: |
Maybe it is Overdue?
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Date:
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6/10/2008 10:25:13 AM
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Hey Mav, you always share good info with us....but I believe the law says Under 8 must wear a life vest in boat, not 8 and under.....this is important because my youngest son turns 8 this weekend (he will still wear a life vest while we are underway though) and I believe a vessel towing another vessel has the right of way.....not a vessel towing a skier or tube...at least I couldn't find it in the "Rules of the Road"...that being said I usually give way to skiers and such....as long as they are not in the main channel...peace and happy boat riding.
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| Name: |
ot
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 10:25:29 AM
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I assumed it was common knowledge that you CANNOT stand up on a moving boat. (I understand cruisers are different!) If people were standing up while the pontoon boat was moving, I too think that is dangerous. Moving from one seat to another is understandable, but standing just to stand ...... What if the driver made a sudden turn or had to stop quickly...people could be thrown on the floor in the lake..... my 2 cents. =)
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| Name: |
Hawks Nest
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 1:51:37 PM
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In my situation, I felt more comfortable (not physically) standing as opposed to sitting as I could see my surroundings better. Sitting and trying to look over the railing of a boat would be dangerous in my opinion. I see no issue with a driver standing...passengers yes. However, I recognize that the MP know better than me and thus I sit now.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Standing up in pontoon boat
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Date:
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6/10/2008 1:59:31 PM
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I missed this part of the earlier discussion about the driver being told to sit down. I almost always stand when I am pulling because I can see so much better (I can adjust my rear view mirror so I can see behind even while standing). This is particularly true with my deck boat because even with people sitting in front of me they block my view somewhat. I can understand passengers but not the pilot. I wonder what the rationale is as this will for 100% sure be less safe for the operation of my boat (and many others I suspect).
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
BRF - You Are Correct
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Date:
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6/10/2008 3:35:59 PM
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PFD is required IF UNDER 8 - Guess your son has graduated. LOL
Children under 8 years of age must wear a properly secured U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD at all times while on board any vessel, except when in an enclosed cabin.
Still looking for towing have the right of way. But even if not we at a slight angle and on their right and kept moving right to give them more room to change course, but never did so I just shut down the boat and dropped the skier. As "When vessels are passing at right angles, the vessel on the left will yield right-of-way to vessel on the right."
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Hawks Nest - Answer ???
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Date:
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6/10/2008 3:40:39 PM
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Could #1 below be the answer why the Marine Police asked you to sit instead of stand??
Careless Operation
It shall be unlawful to operate a vessel in a careless manner upon the waters of this state. Careless operation is the endangerment of life, limb, or property through negligence, carelessness, or inattention of the operator.
Examples of careless operation includes but is not limited to the following:
1.Sitting in any position that is above the gunwale or cap of a vessel while moving above idle speed.
2.Riding on bow of vessel not equipped with handrails.
3.Riding on vessel with lower extremities hanging over the gunwale or cap of the vessel.
4.Creating hazardous wake in congested area.
URL: Boating Regulation - (Halfway Down the Page)
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
BRF-Think I Found It (Gary ??)
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Date:
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6/10/2008 4:30:14 PM
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While not black and white in the law think the below language states the intent of a boat with skiers or whatever in tow has the right of way if not as maneuverable as the oncoming boat.
If you approach a vessel that has less maneuverability than your vessel, the other vessel will usually be the stand-on vessel (see Encountering Vessels With Less Maneuverability).
Responsibilities Between Vessels
If operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to:
Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver (BRF does not specifically state a boat towing skiers, tubers, etc but does state a boat in tow. So open for interpretation. towing what ??)
But the fall back would be the boat pulling the skier, tubers, etc has to be less maneuverable than a PWC or another boat not in tow. So technically the boat with skiers, tubers, etc would have the right of way.
So might have you on a technicality - LOL. Maybe Gary can clarify if my interpretation is correct.
URL: Encountering Other Vessels (Halfway Down Page)
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| Name: |
BoatsRFun
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| Subject: |
BRF-Think I Found It (Gary ??)
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Date:
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6/10/2008 4:51:02 PM
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Mav, do a search on Marine Police, navigation and row posted 7-12-05, I think Gary has answered this before......I thought I remembered it.
When I was growing up, my family had a 270 Searay with a decal at the helm that had all the "Rules of the Road" listed, it was a great help, it was about 5" x 7" and easy to read......to bad that is not on every boat sold, It should be.
Peace
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
OK - I Owe You
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Date:
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6/10/2008 5:26:29 PM
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2 Beers now and one shot of Jack Daniels.
Then as you leave my house via boat I will have Gary or Mark waiting for you as you turn the corner up by Wind Creek.
LOL
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| Name: |
BoatsRFun
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| Subject: |
OK - I Owe You
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Date:
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6/10/2008 10:11:43 PM
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That's not nice Mav......play nice or I will sick Cat and PP on you, and they can be ruthless....lol
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Of course
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Date:
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6/12/2008 8:14:52 AM
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but I have seen them suddenly change direction in a narrow channel pulling in front of other boats. Why some tubers drag ther kids in busy narrow areas is beyong me especially since there are almost always open areas that don't have the hazards.
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