looking ahead...tips for summer

[simmt]

Ok fellow boaters,
  I have some questions for the "experienced" up on the chain.
The first is about tubing and skiing.  I have never pulled a tube or a skiier behind the boat.  Does anyone have any suggestions/ tips/ or advice on either topic?
  The second is I brought a chart of Lake Winnebego and the one for the rest of the chain of lakes.  Where exactly is the infamous "streiches" and what is the protocol for entering the area...I don't want to look like a newbie if I can help it.   

[simmt]

I looked on the web site and and compared it to the chart that I got would it be correct to say that streiches is between Fahrney point //willow harbor and east fisk ave.  Is that the right area on the west bank?

[ZeeYaLater]

Simmit, check out presentations post.

[simmt]

Oh yeah,
Thanks "Z" and thanks Presentation, I forgot all about that post

[---------]

On your question about Towing...

Pulling a tuber is fairly straight forward. 

-  connect line to tube and boat, Dump tube in water,
-  put life vest on rider(this is not an option, it is the law,) dump rider in water.
-  when the rider gets on the tub, start motor and idle away until line is tought.
-  Always instrct the rider to let you know when they are ready by yelling when the line is tight, then....Hammer down.  The rider is in control of the boat not the driver.  (except for brother in laws..see below.)
-  Your rider will depend on your driving habits.  Kids and most females you'll want to take it easy, about 25-30mph nice easy truns.  Your drinking buddy or brother in law....35-40 and make tight figure 8's, Circles, and whip lash manuvers.  Insure you put some power in to the tigher corners or you'll loose speed and maybe start to drop off plane.

Skiers, boarders, and the like, are easier once thier up....Less drag.

Tubing = 25-35mph, lots of fun truns.
skier = 25-30mph, few truns, usualy in a oval pattern.
Knee / Wake Board = 20-25mph, few turns usualy in oval.

If you drop a rider and the're not done, turn around and slowly make a u-turn manuver around the back of them at about 15ft.  This will bring the rope to them without them having to swim, and will line up for the next run.


We have a hand signal system.  That the observer (also required by law,) relays to the driver from the rider.

Thumbs up = Faster
Thumbs Down = slower
flat hand = good
hand across throat (cutting throat,)= I'm done, want back in the boat.
hand above head in circle motion = one more time around.

Use common sence and good judgement as far as traffic goes.  Legally your boat and Tuber / Skier are to stay 100ft away from any other craft or shore.

[simmt]

Excellent!!
  Thanks for the feed back.  You made some interesting points.  And I did not know it was a requirement for the rider to wear a life preserver and also know the hand signals.  Guess I have to go purchase some more crap. 

[---------]

Excellent!!
  Thanks for the feed back.  You made some interesting points.  And I did not know it was a requirement for the rider to wear a life preserver and also know the hand signals.  Guess I have to go purchase some more crap. 

Let me Clarify...

Rider required to wear a PFD..................................Yes.
Hand Signals required.............................................No.
Observer (other than driver,) to watch rider...........Yes.
Only ski between sunrise and sunset.....................Yes
Must keep boat an skiier 100ft away from others...Yes


You must have 3 people in order to tow anyone.  A Driver, A Rider, and an Observer to watch the skiier.

Check Page 22 of the '07 Boating Regulations for all the details.  I'll see if I can find a link to it on the DNR site later.

[Type-A]

Don't forget that it's illegal to tow a person in the Fox River and your stupid if you do it in the Wolf River (although it's legal there).

[Presentation]

.... and your stupid if you (ski) in the Wolf River (although it's legal there).

Just wondering if you are having a bad day or do you really believe this?  The Fremont Webfooters do their ski show on the Wolf River in Fremont just north of the highway overpass.  Actually, it’s just upriver from the slipknot.  http://www.webfooters.org/




Yes, this was part of the act.


2006 Show Schedule
Date       Location   Time
June           
4th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
7th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
11th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
14th   Wedneday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
18th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
21st   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
24th   Saturday   Mecury Invite- Janesville   TBD
25th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
28th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
          
July           
2nd   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
4th   Tueday   Neenah - Riverside Park    2:00pm
4th   Tuesday   Menasha - Jefferson Park    6:30pm
5th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
8th   Saturday   Fremont River Days   6:30pm
9th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
12th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
16th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
19th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
22nd   Saturday   State Tournament    6:30pm
26th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
30th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
            
August           
2nd   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
6th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
9th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
13th   Nationals   Janesville, Wisconsin   TBD
16th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
20th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
23th   Wednesday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm
27th   Sunday   Webfooter Show Site   6:30pm


Fort Fremont marine gives ski lessons along the Wolf. 

When it’s windy the river makes for the best answer for water skiing.

Had you said it would be inadvisable to ski during the heavy fishing times or during the busy summer weekends due to the increased danger from the volume of other boats I would agree. 

Weekday on non-holiday days along the Wolf River is in my opinion some of the best skiing you will find in this state. 

[---------]

Just wondering if you are having a bad day or do you really believe this? 

I think Russ was refering to the amount of traffic on the wolf durring the weekends, and the abundance of open "safe," water within a 10min cruise. 

Even right now with the weekend and afternoon Walleye / white bass fishing traffic you wouldn't find me pulling anyone on the wolf.  That and with the 40 degree water temp you'd better be wearing a dry suit with a wet suit under it.

The Ski show has the ability to shut down a portion of the river durring their show for the safety of the skiers. 

And if Fort Fremont is giving lessons I would certainly hope its not on the weekends.  There is Far too much traffic for it to be safe for towing anybody.

Weekdays in the summer, and in the late summer / early fall, I could see it.  Otherwise, there are other protected bays on Poygan that I prefer to be on.

Keep in mind that legally you have to be 100 ft. from shore.  It's a very narrow river to be legal at all times.

[Type-A]

Sorry, I didn't want to be winded in my earlier comment.  But yes, I was referring  to the guys that tow people on the weekends between Lake Poygan and Fremont.

[Rum Runner]

Can I get someone to tow me from my house to streiches or to the fin for lunch? 

[---------]

Can I get someone to tow me from my house to streiches or to the fin for lunch? 

If you're crazy enough to get in the water, I've got a dry suit and a wet suit and I will pull you where ever you want to go on the 15th. 

That would be funny as hell BTW.  Pull up to The Other Place with you in tow on a tube.

[Rum Runner]

No.... Pull me in my Regal. That way I don't use that much gas..

[---------]

No.... Pull me in my Regal. That way I don't use that much gas..

How about I pull the Water mouse?

OR.....how about I get in the water and you pull me in your old boat.  I think you're about the only person I trust driving it....lol.