This trend is getting out of hand.....

[2kwik4u]

To much early AM booze, forgotten plugs, neglected maintenance, all recipes for going under.

This sounds like victim blaming. A forgotten plug, poor maintenance, or poor boating skills is not helped at any level with giant crossing wakes from tons of boats travelling at poorly chosen speeds. There are many other posts in this thread with the same premise. I disagree with the sentiment strongly, and honestly, kinda hate to see that mentality present itself here.

In regards to the remainder of the thread, perhaps I should weigh in since I started this mess. I purposely avoided this thread after my initial "snap" response. It elicited some emotions that I thought better of to post. Anger and disappointment were high on that list, among many others. I took a step back, and waited to get some more information in hand, and to organize my thoughts before responding.

We had a parade for a presidential candidate on our local lake (Patoka, IN) yesterday. Wife and I seriously considering skipping the water for the day out of fear of safety for ourselves and our boys. Close friends talked us into going out anyway. We researched the event as best we could and found a place on the lake that should have as little impact from the parade as possible. We sat back and watched, what I'll guestimate, is about 250-300 boats come by. Most were on plane and moving decently quick. There were a few cruisers that came by at what appeared to be "max wake" speed. I'm sure that was a comfortable speed for them, but was a terrible speed for us. We were ~300yrds inside a no wake zone and that border was well respected, and I appreciate that. We caught a couple rollers that had the windshield and tower of my 190 tapping the siderails and bimini of the pontoon we were rafted too. We've been tying off to this same boat for 3 seasons now, and have only once ever had this happen before. We were close to being damaged, but missed by chance. I have not heard of any injuries, sinkings, or damage at this point, but I haven't gone looking either. I suspect there is some, somewhere, but that is conjecture at the time.

The concern that almost kept us off the water, for us, was not the political statement, or our equipment and skills being up to the task. Our concern was completely over the nature of highly enthusiastic people being gathered in a large group. There is ALWAYS some fraction of the group that can't behave themselves. ALWAYS. Go watch the exit point of any Cars and Coffee event and you'll find overly enthusiastic drivers doing burnouts and slides far too close to large groups of spectators. Just like those Cars and Coffee events, even before the parade yesterday I watched many over enthusiastic captains pulling stupid moves. One in particular lost his flags of support to the water after going under a bridge, through a large no wake zone, past other boats, on plane. Broke the flag poles off the back of his tower and made the boat take a hard right when it hit. He had IL numbers on the boat, so I'm suspecting he wasn't local, but the area is well marked with Idle Zone bouys. That, again, has nothing to do with his political leanings and everything to do with his attention to the task at hand.

To be clear, the trend that is getting out of hand I originally posted about references this very phenomenon. When it became dangerous for Cars and Coffee, it was shut down. The organizers realized the dangers and risks taken, and de-escalated by shutting down the event, in an attempt to maintain some public safety. The trend with boat parades seems to be going the other direction.

It's all but impossible to ignore the politics behind this trend. I know we're a board of boaters that purposefully ignore that aspect, and I can (and do) appreciate that, however the giant flags and obvious support are undeniable. These aren't your neighborhood Christmas or Halloween parades either, and to draw linearity between those and these is deeply flawed logic. There are clear and obvious differences between the motivation that has organized the events.

A great part of our country is freedom to disagree. It's quite clear I land more in the minority on this issue than the majority, with regards to the posting population of this board, and arguably of the country populous in general. That's OK. I don't want anyone to think I'm in favor of stopping the parades from a political standpoint, but to deny the safety aspect is to blindly follow without an examination of the situation at hand.

Hopefully, this thread will make, even a single person, evaluate the risks associated with this style of showing support and change course of actions to a more responsible path. That doesn't mean stop being in parades, or stop supporting your particular cause/person/event. I do truly hope there becomes an increase in the voice of reason for planners, participants, and attendees to keep the event and venue as safe as possible. Just a few more captains keeping it safe could be the difference that keeps another inexperienced captain in a poorly maintained boat above water and getting home safe.

Hope everyone is safely enjoying their holiday weekend!

 

[Bluewater272]

Doesn’t seem like a plug issue. That’s a dangerous sea state even for people used to being on the ocean, let alone normal lake conditions.

 

[Julian]

I don't think politics has anything to do with the issue here. The issue is plain and simple - when you get large groups of people together, there will always be idiots that act recklessly, stupidly etc.
We already see idiocy from new boaters...now put them in a crowd....bad idea without supervision.

I wont put a group of 10 boats on the ocean going to bimini without meeting them and ensuring they are prepared, know the plan, the risks etc.

Keep the politics neutral or we'll have to lock the thread. Its not a political issue.

 

[ShesCrafty]

The issue is plain and simple - when you get large groups of people together, there will always be idiots that act recklessly, stupidly etc.
We already see idiocy from new boaters...now put them in a crowd....bad idea without supervision.

Yep. THIS is the point. It’s ridiculous.

 

[mwalker4]

My brother in law was the Coast Guard Commander in Chicago last year and is now in the Philly / Jersey Shore area this year. It's been a very active year for both federal law enforcement and boater safety. After talking with him, I'm hoping that folks across the whole spectrum dial it back a notch or two.

 

[throttlebc]

It seems as though the parade was a success. It is dividing another community of people, emboldening some, driving others away, and stoking fear, anger, and resentment across the board. That's the sad state of our world. Personally, I'm just exhausted being told to hate my neighbor by both sides.

Also, Lake Travis is choppy on a quiet day. It's narrow, has lots of deep and very shallow areas, and gets uncomfortable quickly. I avoid it on weekends completely when there are other great lakes for the family in the area.

 

[ShesCrafty]

Here’s my question - political views and media spin aside:

What is the point of such a boat parade? What is the point of flags on a boat - flags which are half as long as the boat itself?

Is this a bonafide method of influencing change or helping others to understand an opposing viewpoint? Is the intent to reunify our country, to listen as well as be heard?

I see these solo ‘parade floats’ on the water all the time. In almost every case, there is someone at the helm who seems laser-focused on whether or not he/she is getting attention. Is it that they hope to chat, have a listening session, share political views...?

Whatever the cause, there are a thousand ways to influence change, or harmonize. I don’t understand the objective/intended outcome of this one. I must be missing something.

 

[haknslash]

Here’s my question - political views and media spin aside:

What is the point of such a boat parade? What is the point of flags on a boat - flags which are half as long as the boat itself?

Is this a bonafide method of influencing change or helping others to understand an opposing viewpoint? Is the intent to reunify our country, to listen as well as be heard?

I see these solo ‘parade floats’ on the water all the time. In almost every case, there is someone at the helm who seems laser-focused on whether or not he/she is getting attention. Is it that they hope to chat, have a listening session, share political views...?

Whatever the cause, there are a thousand ways to influence change, or harmonize. I don’t understand the objective/intended outcome of this one. I must be missing something.

....because this is America? Because it should be ok to show support for your country and POTUS? Idk just throwing out some ideas on why lol. Flags nor clothing should trigger people. Plenty of unity in the parades from all walks of life....

For the parade we had a few months ago it ended with meeting a candidate for state senate seat. It was a great time. The only hate and divisiveness I see is from the left who are content with burning this country down and don’t speak out on how wrong it is what they’re doing. People here get upset over some flags and waves yet are silent on what’s really going on and causing all the issues but somehow it’s always easy to blame Trump supporters because that’s the trendy thing to do I guess.

 

[thefortunes]

I don't think politics has anything to do with the issue here. The issue is plain and simple - when you get large groups of people together, there will always be idiots that act recklessly, stupidly etc.
We already see idiocy from new boaters...now put them in a crowd....bad idea without supervision.

I wont put a group of 10 boats on the ocean going to bimini without meeting them and ensuring they are prepared, know the plan, the risks etc.

Keep the politics neutral or we'll have to lock the thread. Its not a political issue.

Lock it

 

[Scottintexas]

The whole thing should have been deleted from the first ridiculous article link

 

[bigwaves]

Leave it open. The thread has not gone to far, in my opinion, one way or the other. As long as it’s civil, which I think it still is, let it go. There’s to much speech being stifled today as it is. This is one of the best sites on the interwebs today. Let’s not screw it up. Keep it civil. Just my two cents. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend. ??

 

[portlandbucfan]

Here’s my question - political views and media spin aside:

What is the point of such a boat parade? What is the point of flags on a boat - flags which are half as long as the boat itself?

Is this a bonafide method of influencing change or helping others to understand an opposing viewpoint? Is the intent to reunify our country, to listen as well as be heard?

I see these solo ‘parade floats’ on the water all the time. In almost every case, there is someone at the helm who seems laser-focused on whether or not he/she is getting attention. Is it that they hope to chat, have a listening session, share political views...?

Whatever the cause, there are a thousand ways to influence change, or harmonize. I don’t understand the objective/intended outcome of this one. I must be missing something.

Flags the same as bumper stickers, yard signs, etc. I dont understand it. Having lived in Portland (city of political signs/stickers/etc) I sure as hell dont miss it.

 

[AZMark]

....because this is America? Because it should be ok to show support for your country and POTUS? Idk just throwing out some ideas on why lol. Flags nor clothing should trigger people. Plenty of unity in the parades from all walks of life....

For the parade we had a few months ago it ended with meeting a candidate for state senate seat. It was a great time. The only hate and divisiveness I see if from the left who are content with burning this country down and don’t speak out on how wrong it is what they’re doing. People here get upset over some flags and waves yet are silent on what’s really going on and causing all the issues but somehow it’s always easy to blame Trump supporters because that’s the trendy thing to do I guess.

No one is talking about flags or clothing. They’re talking about hundreds of boats going surf speed together on public lakes.
No one should have to skip a lake day with their kids because of anyone’s selfish behavior, that’s a ridiculous statement to make.
No one should have to avoid one of the violent protest areas either, but no one was comparing the two and one does not make the other ok.

 

[haknslash]

No one is talking about flags or clothing. They’re talking about hundreds of boats going surf speed together on public lakes.
No one should have to skip a lake day with their kids because of anyone’s selfish behavior, that’s a ridiculous statement to make.
No one should have to avoid one of the violent protest areas either, but no one was comparing the two and one does not make the other ok.

Read the comments a few back where someone asked why even do parades or the need to fly flags....

Want to be in the water? Fine, don't complain you chose to do it the same day as a boat parade. Seems pretty simple to me. Nothing is selfish about people wanting to have a parade. What is selfish is thinking you own the whole lake.

My point about the protests is that I could easily inject the same language/narrative being thrown about in this thread regarding parades and replace with protests but nobody would speak up in disgust then.

 

[AZMark]

Read the comments a few back where someone asked why even do parades or the need to fly flags....

Want to be in the water? Fine, don't complain you chose to do it the same day as a boat parade. Seems pretty simple to me.

My point about the protests is that I could easily inject the same language/narrative being thrown about in this thread regarding parades and replace with protests but nobody would speak up in disgust then.

Yes you're right about the comments.

I’m just trying to keep it on boats.

Car parades go at a snails pace for a reason, a boat parade could go at idle speed too and not ruin a lake day for anyone.

 

[haknslash]

At this point I don't think it matters what speed the parade is at. If they go too slow people will complain they are clogging up the waterways, if they go a little faster then people complain it's omg dangerous surf wakes raarrrgh, if the go fast then people complain look at how reckless they're behaving. One thing o have learned about boat groups, especially those in FB tailored around specific lakes is that people complain about anything and always will. There is this stupid trend going on my local lakes FB group about docking lights and now they have this stupid game of points where anytime someone see's a boat with docking lights in they post the picture of the boat. Now the whole group feed is just littered daily with stupid posts bout dock lights yet nobody brings up the droves of idiot pontoon owners that on a daily basis damn near kill folks. I almost got hit 3 times yesterday and one was in a near head on collision because too many boat sales and not enough brain cells to go around.

 

[bigwaves]

First of all, thank you for your service and that of your sons. I come from a long line of service men and women, including my bother and my sister who is currently serving in the USMC. It’s a sacrifice that not many can understand. I could never imagine having my child in harms way. That is the ultimate sacrifice.

I’d respectfully disagree with your stance on Trump. I feel he’s shown his true colors multiple times when it comes to the military. His comments on McCain, comments questioning why a guy so smart was in the service (joking or not it’s disrespectful), never addressing the fact that Russia is paying the Taliban bounties to kill our troops, using the military as political props. I just can’t respect it.

From my time with service members I know there are a very few things they really value. Those include honor, respect, service, and tradition. All of which I feel Trump is lacking.
Again, thank you for your service and that of your family!

Thank you for the service of your family and your thoughtful response. We may disagree about a few things and that’s okay! I believe we both want good things for our great country. It doesn’t have to lead to vile name calling and violence. Civil discourse is possible! ????

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I know it’s easy to read a headline and want to lean into a perceived fact that fits your own personal narrative, but please take the time to validate the accuracy as you might find the the story to be void of the truth. Anyhow, I was able to witness quite an awesome boat parade yesterday. Well over 1k boats, multiple plane and helicopter flyovers. No arrests, no fights, no property damage, no sinking boats, rather a whole lot of good times. I highly encourage participation in boat parades as I witnessed families of all ages enjoying themselves. This was the view for several miles.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=329051288305569

 

[AZMark]

I know it’s easy to read a headline and want to lean into a perceived fact that fits your own personal narrative, but please take the time to validate the accuracy as you might find the the story to be void of the truth. Anyhow, I was able to witness quite an awesome boat parade yesterday. Well over 1k boats, multiple plane and helicopter flyovers. No arrests, no fights, no property damage, no sinking boats, rather a whole lot of good times. I highly encourage participation in boat parades as I witnessed families of all ages enjoying themselves. This was the view for several miles.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=329051288305569

That one is going no wake speed, hence no one sinking.
That was not the case at the one in Texas, based upon the pictures and organizers comments.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

That one is going no wake speed, hence no one sinking.
That was not the case at the one in Texas, based upon the pictures and organizers comments.

I would say the first third was for sure but after that we ended up running 15 to 18 mph.