An Outing on the Insane Upper End

[Longball22]

I will say we have boats in Port of Kimberling, and the water patrol has a boat or two there.  I've seen them buzzing the lake and pulling people over more than I ever have.  We were out last month cruising on a houseboat and we counted 26 boats they pulled over for very brief checks in a few hours one evening.  I have been impressed with their presence in that part of the lake this year.

[snagged in outlet 3]

21 hours ago, Quillback said:

I used to see the WP quite a bit around Big M, but have not seen them so far this year.  And guys say they've never seen a game warden on TR, but I have been checked twice in the last 3 years by the GW, once on the water and once at the dock. 

Sit at Long Creek and you can see them all day.  Mostly running with lights on from Long Creek to Indian Point with stops at the diving bluff and the cove in front of the State Park.  Out last two trips down we didn't even rent a boat for the kids.  Too much stress and danger to make it worth it.  We took to cleaning the beach at Long creek and hanging out.

[m&m]

snagged, you are correct. I can sit on my deck and look south from the dam towards Long Creek and the boat traffic this year is incredible. People tubing and wake boarding around boats just sitting in the main lake. 

Mike

[Champ188]

One of the things that makes the situation more dangerous than it has to be are the numbskulls that shut down and just park in the middle of the main channel. Like everyone else these days, I suspect it's a combination of ignorance and don't give a flip about others. 

[skeeter]

20 hours ago, merc1997 said:

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazine/2015/october/boat-wake-damage-liability.asp.

read this article.  the water patrol is just using an excuse.

bo

From what I'm getting out of this article: (thanks for posting )

1.) The Authors state there is some "law" about liability arising from damages from huge wakes carelessly created by the negligence of the boat operator but they only quote "Maritime Rule XX" and don't indicate if that arcane law gives Law Enforcement the power to arrest and charge those in violation.   MO WP tells the OA member and the dock owner at LOZ there is no such thing. So if there actually is such a law in Missouri then the MO WP is guilty of dereliction of duty ??  2.) Authors also state there is some basis for a Civil (?) Law Suit for injuries  and possibly property damages from large wakes....then is it up to the injured party to have proof of the cause of the injuries ( a video like the property owner at LOZ has ? ) and then retain an Attorney and file Suit ?  I would think good luck with finding a Court in Missouri able to apply Maritime Law XX....we need a strong State Law that empowers the MO Water Patrol. 

 

[176champion]

1 hour ago, Champ188 said:

One of the things that makes the situation more dangerous than it has to be are the numbskulls that shut down and just park in the middle of the main channel. Like everyone else these days, I suspect it's a combination of ignorance and don't give a flip about others. 

Alcohol consumption doesn't help either..

[m&m]

1 hour ago, Champ188 said:

One of the things that makes the situation more dangerous than it has to be are the numbskulls that shut down and just park in the middle of the main channel. Like everyone else these days, I suspect it's a combination of ignorance and don't give a flip about others. 

Champ, I so agree with you.  Here on TRL the pleasure boaters don't seem to understand that the main channel is not the place to drift and swim around your boat.  Many times I come around the S curve near Indian Point and there are boats just sitting out in the main lake with many people on rafts in the water holding onto the boat as it drifts.  the traffic through that stretch is terrible without the added hazard of the drifting boats.  This past week we had a family reunion and I took a number of them on a pontoon boat ride from the 86 bridge to the 13 bridge and most of them wondered why the boats drift in the main channel.  Many of them said at least at LOZ they drift in a cove away from the main lake.  And the COE wants to remove buoys? Remove the main lake drifters!!

Mike

[snagged in outlet 3]

Not only main lake drifters but why in the world would you drag your kids around in front of The Branson Bell, State Park Marina, the public ramp, The Ducks turn around and the parasailing boat?  All in the same area.  They couldn't pick a more dangerous location.

[evilcatfish]

On 8/13/2017 at 8:06 AM, dblades said:

I really think getting the politicians involved is a waste of time. Guys it's PUBLIC water, they aren't going to outlaw any type of boat and it's a proven fact that you can't legislate common sense. Might as well just man up and learn to live with the popularity of our chosen waters.

I get what you are saying, but consider that highways are "public" roads and there are laws about what sort of vehicles can be driven on them. I can't take my Abrams tank down 44 even if its equipped with the proper lights and signals. Of course this makes perfect sense because tank treads would destroy the roads, kind of like how the cruisers are directly destroying docks and otherwise. 

 

*In full disclosure, I do not have a tank, but it would be a lot cooler if I did...

[176champion]

They do that stopped in the middle stuff up on the upper end of the White River in the narrow areas also, plus the wake boats and tubes in the same area.... it's almost like an obstacle course to get by them.