Sand Pit Tubing Video

[Brian aka:Squatch]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaEcdzQQLxs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaEcdzQQLxs</a>

[mooseandsquirrel]

That has got to be one of the most reckless things I've seen.  And someone produced this video as proof to show it off?

What are you, 150ft from the anchored boats when playing crack the whip and sending the tubers flying off the tube?  Not only are you endangering the tuber, but you're causing unnecessary wake and possible damage to boats.  Ignorant is the best word I can come up with.

I'm pretty confident in saying this wasn't done with sober drivers and tubers.  One almost fell over in the video.  

I recognize at least one of the people, I believe he has a larger Fountain.  Usually he's in no shape to drive a boat.  He was nice enough to leave his Fountain running for over a half hour at the Boat Yard one evening with its exhaust facing the patio to make sure that all of us had as much Carbon Monoxide as he could provide.  Real class act.

The people in, and responsible for this video are the exact type of boaters that give boaters a bad name and ruin things for the rest of us skiers.  The fact that an Administrator and I think owner of this site, is posting it bothers me.

Shame on you!  Grow up and have some common courtesy and use some common sense.

[Nauti Dog]

I have to say I kind of agree with moose and squirrel.  

It would really upset me to be anchored and have a boat drive so close with such a big wake. Wonder if there was any damage to the boats rafted up?

There is a whole big lake out there, do us all favor and get away from the shoreline and the anchored boats!  

[Brian aka:Squatch]

Well I am sorry to hear you feel that way. I was out there and in my boat while they were tubing. Our boat was not rocking. The wake has been ten times worse sitting at Striech's with a little wind.  And if it was 150ft from the boats, I gues you are saying the DNR's state regulations are ignorant. The DNR regulation are as follows: Those towing skiers on water skis or similar towable devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent manner · Vessels towing persons may not come within 100 feet of other occupied anchored vessels, a PWC, a buoy-marked swimming area, or a public boat landing.  Persons being towed behind a vessel on waters skis, a surfboard,
other device or their towing rope may not come or allow the tow-rope to come within 100 feet a of PWC
It is people tubing! You are entitled to your opinion, but you don't need to be a dick about it.

Are you going to go around and bitch about fast bass boats, PWC, wake boarders and go-fast boats?  God forbid someone have some fun.  I have been running this boater-friendly/informational site for ten years.  I have never seen such pessimistic, ruin-everyone's-fun posts.  I am not refering to this post soley.  This has been going on since the beginning of summer.  This site is meant to be fun, informational and a place of knowldge for the boating cummunity.  lately it has been a source of bitching and we are to our limit.  Just like mom used to say, if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all.

[mooseandsquirrel]

Here are some more laws, that are also in the regulations.  Most seem relevant.  

It is illegal to ski while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs

Boating Under the Influence

Wisconsin law prohibits anyone from operating a motorboat or manipulating water skis or similar devices while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Anyone who operates or attempts to operate a vessel is deemed to have given consent to an alcohol and/or drug test.
• It is illegal for a person to operate a motorboat or use water skis, a surfboard, or other device if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater

Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times.

Improper speed or distance is not maintaining a proper
speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:
• Operate a vessel at a distance from other vessels or at a speed that exceeds safe and reasonable limits given the waterway traffic, marked speed limits, weather, and other boating conditions
• Operate a vessel repeatedly in a circuitous manner within 200 feet of another vessel or person in the water

Negligence or Reckless Operation
Negligent or reckless operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person.

Operating a vessel in a manner that creates hazardous wave or wake conditions while approaching or passing another vessel

Safety Tip:
Your wake can cause damage to property and other vessels.
Always take into account the effects your wake might have when
adjusting your speed.

[Nauti Dog]

Are you going to go around and bitch about fast bass boats, PWC, wake boarders and go-fast boats?  God forbid someone have some fun.

There is a whole big lake out there so use it.  There is no reason you have to be that close to anchored boats.  This was my point, not that I was trying to ruin someones fun.  Everybody has a right to use the water ways, but WE all have to use them responsibly.  

For what it's worth, in my humble opinion, operating a vessel that close to anchored boats with a tuber in tow was irresponsible.  What I do find more troubling is when the moderator of a forum "attacks" someone for having an opinion different from their own.  I thought this was a place to exchange ideas?  

[Brian aka:Squatch]

I am not attacking anyone, just asking that comments are kept in a civilized manner without name calling or making others feel bad. I have heard a number of comments from other boaters that do not want to join the forum because they are afraid of being attacked with name calling and rude behavior. All I ask is that you talk on here the same way you would talk to someone in person. I appreciate both of your opinions.  Making allegations and bad mouthing people is not called for. If you were there, I expect you would have come over to the 10 plus boats that were watching the tubing and said something. I would if it was a concern to myself or my friends, a simple, " Hey do you guys think you can go out a little farther?" would suffice.  Again, the video is supposed to be a fun thing for people to check out. The reason the boat stayed at a closer distance was so the people on the first line of boats could watch their friends tubing. Was alcohol involved? I am not saying that anyone did or did not have a drink. But from what you are saying you know that the people driving and tubing were above a .08?  And you know the speed of the boat was at an excessive speed?  Again, making allegations. One of the reasons I started this site was because of all the great people I have met on the water. I am sure you are both great people and you have the right to state your opinions. But please do it in a manner that you would do it in person. Treat them like you would want to be treated. That goes both ways. I will make sure if we are out tubing again we will make sure no one is upset with our distance.