Minnesota Classic Glastron Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: 185GXSF-Guy on March 10, 2020, 12:11:45 PM
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In case you guys hadn't seen this : https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2020/03/the-battle-over-wake-surfing-has-made-its-way-to-the-minnesota-legislature/?utm_source=TECHtuesday+Subscribers&utm_campaign=31760e168b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_11_13_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c20ce40c88-31760e168b-259086909
While classic Glastrons aren't wake boats and don't create these issues, as boaters we have to deal with the ramifications of having wake boats on our waters (large wakes, invasive species concerns, slow traffic, etc).
Just thought I would share this for those interested - apologies for the distraction!
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Read the article, interesting concept. For the Glastrons folks, can't imagine the wake is worse than what we encounter coming home from Kini on a Saturday afternoon. The big cruisers tear it up plowing through. I would agree on the distance though, even 200 feet doesn't seem enough.
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Would guess it would be a big problem on small lakes with small fishing boats, canoe's & kayak's and people fishing off there dock.
Thanks for posting ..
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Our Glastrons are not an issue in this regard; the enhanced new wake boats are though. I have seen them in action and it is troubling.
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I've read of talk to ban "Wake Surfing" behind regular I/O's.
You would need a FWD (Forward Drive ?) boat.
Seems like a good idea ..
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Yeah - I've been airborne on the St. Croix in my Glastron jumping over some of those cruiser wakes.
Last summer at my lake home, I sat on the dock with a few beers and monitored the wakes coming off these wake boats. I will admit that I was surprised to see how much the wave dissipated for those drivers that were far from shore (farther than 200 feet, however - probably more like 1000 feet).
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Kind of new to the fwd facing outdrive but how would that change the wake. Are they filling the rear of these boats with bags of water and extending things they call plows down into the water..
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The forward facing drive is primarily for safety - keep the prop as far away from a "surfer" that might take a spill.
Relative to wake shape, a lot of these boats have sophisticated ballast systems that will suck in water and based on your settings can shape the wake a certain way. The ballast systems, since they are sucking in lake water, can be a vehicle to transport invasive species.
From what I have seen, these boats when used responsibly on big water are fine. Its when they are used on small lakes, too close to shore, or operated by whoopleheads that you run into problems.
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One of the lakes frequent up in the Park Rapids area are trying to get ride of them the out come will be interesting.
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Indeed - I spent many summers at Campers Paradise on Lake Belle Taine (Nevis) growing up...
I really feel for the boat owners as many of these boats are north of $100K - it would suck to spend $100K and then not be able to use it on your lake. As you say, it will be interesting to see what happens.
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Wow! I never realized it was a problem. I used to wake surf in the late 60’s behind my dads cabin cruiser, but we always went out in the middle and did it....that I think I was the only one doing that then. Lol . I was a marine officer before I was a correctional officer and the only problem we had on our county lakes were crazy pwc drivers!
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Yes, wakes are a problem especially during high water conditions. Still, I don't think we need any new laws. Every boater is already responsible for and liable for any damage caused by his boat wake. The lead photo in the linked article is full of violations of current law. Would one more violation make any difference?
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It should be a law. It’s all about safety. Imagine small kids swimming near a dock when those rollers come in. Plus being in or on a small craft like a kayak or stand up board is dangerous with those large waves. That’s the point of boating laws. Keep boating safe and fair for all water recreation use. Keeping wake board boats in large lakes and far from the shore makes sense to me.
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It already is against the law, a criminal misdemeanor and not limited to 200 feet. Enforcement is another issue.
From the MN Boating Guide:
ON THE WATER LAWS AND RULES
It’s against the law:
• To operate a watercraft in a careless or reckless manner.
• To operate a watercraft so its wash or wake endangers, harasses, or interferes with any person or property.