Crappy day on the lake yesterday

I remove the plug to allow the boat to drain in the event my cover fails during a Florida rainstorm. Our boat is stored in the driveway under a full cover. I don't leave the ignition breaker on when the boat is stored.

I didnt think about the bilge law thing.I frequent one lake and I have a personal boat ramp so thats non issue. The fan is mainly to dry the carpet and interior. I also have a large amp which draws alot so every time I put it up I toss the battery tender on it. My boat never sees the out doors unless its on the lake so I guess thats another thing im excempt from also.Just wondering guys not questioning any judgment on what should be done. Guess im in a different situation than most concerning plug removal.lol

Vic, I don't pull the plug every time either. I'm pretty careful about not transferring foliage on the boat or trailer, check it all around after I retrieve the boat. But, the idea of something being transferred in the bilge water never occurred to me.

Yea man I used to bearfoot all up and down that side by US27 put in with our grove truck at that ramp since I lived on the other side of lake. usually had good water behind second effort (OMC) where they used to make and test props for all kinds of boats. We used to jump of Hazelwoods ramp every now and then , he used to have a Supra out there all the time.

Illegal to transport a boat with a plug in...well lock me up barney.

Airfooter wrote:    We even have to dump our water strainers....

Didn't realize this aspect. Probably should apply to the whole RW system. I'll have check Iowa law. Does the DNR flush station give you a document proving you flushed the engine out?

Re: the Zebra's, It's unfortunate it's already too late for so many lakes in my area including our lake. First noticed them last fall and it is amazing how rapidly they have increased in numbers in just one year.

SNobsessed wrote: Airfooter wrote:    We even have to dump our water strainers....    Didn't realize this aspect. Probably should apply to the whole RW system & ballast tanks for that matter.     I'll have check Iowa law. Does the DNR flush station give you a document proving you flushed the engine out?

For me, the strainer was an issue because of the clear bowl and the officer could see the water sitting in it (I was asked to dump it before I left the ramp). The regulations don't specifically mention anything about it, but it's an easy thing to do so I just do it now.   

I'm not sure if you're given any documentation from a flush station. I've been told some are "self service", so I would assume probably not? But then again, you'd hope that you'd get something to prove that you went through the steps. I've never been to one myself as I stick to the lake we're on.

The lake we're on has zebra mussels thanks to two idiots (a buyer and a seller) and a boat lift. The boat lift was purchased from infested waters and immediately put into our lake. There were hefty fines associated with it, but unfortunately it doesn't fix the issue. It's not near the point where a person has to wear shoes in the water, but hopefully the DNR comes up with a solution for them before it gets to that point. Unfortunately I'm afraid it's just a matter of time before they start to spread from lake to lake at an increased rate.           

It would be pretty difficult to see the strainer on the trailer, what else was Mr. Officer looking for? Seems a little ridiculous.

Pretty intense enforcement up there. We ride a 400 mile shoreline lake in georgia and in five years have never even seen any form of law enforcement.

JoeinNY wrote: We spent three years steam cleaning boats and bleaching bilges up in these parts to keep away the zebras- we gave that up 15 years ago when it became quite apparent it was not effective.

15 years sounds about right for Keuka.

JPASS wrote: Here's the vid. I need to work on my landings.

JP, As others has stated dont sweat the plug we have all done that before! Hope your knee heels soon! I must ask it appears your driver was pulling you WAY too fast by looking at the rooster tail and wake shape!?!

63 Skier wrote: Knowing how our engines flow water, I doubt a hot water flush would get more than 50% of the water our anyway, if the stat isn't open the engine water is just sitting there.

In Minnesota we have hoses right at some of the busy ramps to delouse the boat and trailer. I would think the stat might still be open when being pulled out of the lake. "I would think" being the qualifier. I have the transom engine flush so it would be easy, And again with the 2001 dual exhaust what a nice little concert it would be for the people waiting in line for the hose!

NAUTIQUEjunky wrote: I must ask it appears your driver was pulling you WAY too fast by looking at the rooster tail and wake shape!?!

18 mph is how fast we were going. That's not too fast from what I've read. I definitely picked up a bit of speed when I cut in, but I don't believe our tow speeds are excessive. My understanding is that it's not unheard of to tow 20-22mph for people who know what they're doing.

18mph is pretty slow for wakeboarding. Rope length also has a large effect on how fast you need to go. The bigger the wake, the longer the rope can be and the faster the boat speed will need to be. With a boat full of ballast, 75-80ft at 21-23mph is about the norm. Smaller wakes usually require shortening the rope up a bit since it's pretty small at 75+ft/22mph. A longer rope will make jumps feel floatier, too. In the old days, we were influenced by trick skiing so rope length was very short and only needed 17-19mph. Everything happens much faster at that line length and it's difficult not to land way past the second wake.

From the looks of the video, you were carrying a lot of speed but had pretty much stopped cutting at the wake. This basically translates into a lot of speed but no load on the rope, which usually results in being off balance in the air. When you're knee is feeling better and you get back on the board, try working on starting your cut slow, building speed slowly, and maintaining your edge all the way through the wake. This will load the rope and maximize pop without having to carry a lot of unnecessary speed. If you do it right, you can clear the second wake even starting at the base of the first wake.

Hope your knee feels better soon!