Happy 4th all, but

[dwna1a]

To all of our old and new members here, please have a happy 4th but please be very smart and very safe out there. We have all seen the video of the boater on Lake St Cliar, anger and alcohol. Today I read that 6pp, all boaters, have passed away on the Chesapeake Bay since Saterday. Two just yesterday morning when they went JetSking at 2am and hit a marker, no life jackets. Your paddle craft does no need a life jacket, the person on it does! It's amazing how fast the wind and the current will take one of those away from its owner.

If you have to drink, drink on the hook or at the dock. Wait for the idiots to get out of the anchorage after the fireworks. If you've done some or little night runs, slow down and have your head on a swivel. Use your radar if you have it, charts and plotter but remember your eyes and brain work the best. We have all added LED lighting to our cockpits, dim it down or cut it off while underway.There is no need to rush. Many paddle boaters seem to think it's fine to go out at night and none have any lights at all. Be ready to be boarded, officers will be out in full force. Have all paperwork ready, all in one place. Be nice to the officers, they are just doing a job. If your boat isn't in order it's not their fault.

Be safe and come back to tell us about you boating day

 

[CaptRonn]

No boating here on holidays as it's amateur hour on the lake and the bay. The Billy Bob Rays get liquored up early and hit the water and everyone is fair game.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Well said. I never drink on the hook either. Only safely at dock. We will be going out, but most of Sturgeon Bay is no wake, and the CG loves hiding behind our marina and nail the guys in 18' run abouts and pontoons who think this doesn't apply to them.

 

[dwna1a]

Same here Capt, Seahorse will not be leaving the slip unless it's to tow one in. There will be enough of a show at the ramp

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

Boat has been tied up at the Levee as of 1700 hours today. It will stay there until Saturday when all the craziness has stopped. Our 280 took a hard hit from a drunk asshole on plane that hit us with a glancing blow on the port side. Ejected two people from the boat. No one was hurt thank God!

 

[boatman37]

I don't drink so no problem there but the other idiots are the ones you have to watch out for. That said, it isn't too bad where we are. But just checked the weather and it says scattered thunderstorms from tomorrow morning until Sunday so good chance we won't get to go out again. Only been out twice so far this year for about 1 hour each time. Haven't even dropped the hook yet this year. Guess it's a good thing I didn't splurge for a windlass this spring...lol

 

[Bt Doctur]

Yes indeed have a safe holiday but we all know of Mr.Stupid out there will cause some type of mayhem. Be it from alcohol, excessive speed, missing life jackets etc. Maybe they should rename them "Dead Jackets" because not wearing one you end up dead?
There will be groundings, crashes, sinkings, and all of this is preventable just using common sense.
We know who you people are and we will try to save you but be warned some of you will be dead by tomorrow.All because you failed to follow some simple rules
How about "8 hours from bottle to throttle"
How about thinking SAFETY FIRST, PARTY SECOND
Have a safe 4th of July and celebrate your independence and live for tomorrow or celebrate your stupidity and be dead tomorrow
Your choice

 

[Boat Guy]

Yep, the Secret Service agent lost her life in the same waters I kayak in almost daily during the summer....These are very survivable waters and it wouldn't surprise me if alcohol was a factor in all these deaths.... Be safe...

& Happy 4th!

 

[sbw1]

 

[MrHappy]

Happy 4th. Thank you to all who fought for this great nation.

 

[Windjammer]

Happy 4th. Thank you to all who fought for this great nation.View attachment 72077

That's a good looking Captain you have chauffeuring you around. They do grow up fast!

 

[Gofirstclass]

Happy 4th. Thank you to all who fought for this great nation.View attachment 72077

You are most welcome. My 7.5 years in the USAF are a drop in the bucket to what many gave. Thanks to all my brothers who served.

 

[boatman37]

Went out for a few hours today. The only stupid thing I saw was a big Rinker (about 34') with about 6 people sitting out on the bow. Saw them the first time in the no wake zone but after we left the dock we saw them out on the river and they were still out there. They weren't on plane but maybe going 10 MPH pushing alot of water but other boats were definitely making waves. One guy was sitting on the edge of the bow with his feet hanging over the rail.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Great day on the SF Bay. Most of the boats are Sail boats or larger yachts on the bay so we don’t see the drunks or after math too much. We have been safely tied up at the dock for three days enjoying this “Climate Change” at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon.
Hope everyone had a safe and sane 4th.
Carpe Diem

 

[sbw1]

We watched fireworks from a friend's boat in the Grand Haven harbor. We were surprised by how few boats there were this year. Maybe the high waters are keeping people away from the launches which are difficult to use this year?

 

[Boat Guy]

I watched from the Eastport bridge in Annapolis, and I also didn't see a lot of boats out. I saw people partying on boats in their slips...

 

[MrHappy]

View attachment 72090 We watched fireworks from a friend's boat in the Grand Haven harbor. We were surprised by how few boats there were this year. Maybe the highwaters are keeping people away from the launches which are difficult to use this year?

You have me a little concerned. Difficult launches. We are heading your way soon and I launch from Snug Harbor, Muskegon. Any concerns there?

 

[sbw1]

You have me a little concerned. Difficult launches. We are heading your way soon and I launch from Snug Harbor, Muskegon. Any concerns there?

Can't say MrHappy as we have not been there. The main launch in Grand Haven requires walking through knee deep water to get to your boat, and a tall truck is required to launch. Fruitport at the north end of Spring Lake has no issues that I can see, although parking on the week end is limited. You should call ahead to see what the conditions are as they change daily. Pretty sure Spring Lake launches are working well except Mill Point Park which is open but has some water issues in the parking lot.

 

[joeyleggz]

I hope everyone had a happy fourth we had a nice day at short Beach Island but missing my best friend this year proudly displayed his shirt all day! RIP

 

[dwna1a]

After washing and cleaning the boat in 90+ temps I went against my rule. It wasn't real bad. 5pp in a 8' johnboat almost hit me while under a single passage bridge. Passed me so close I couldn't see them beside the boat. They survived my wake and I went on to go swim.

Joey I'm very sorry to hear of your (our) brothers passing.