03-23-2022, 04:08 PM
While I agree this is a huge problem, I have more of a logistical concern:
Reservoirs in Utah are getting so crowded, that it feels like at times, nobody would be able to leave a wake without being in violation. There physically is not enough water to be more than 150 feet from one another at times.
Now, far be it from me to make excuses for the power squadron, because they are all that is wrong with boating, IMO. But, to provide a little more color, an example:
Once in a great while, I will run to the Soldier Creek side of Strawberry from the main marina. Crossing Strawberry Bay on a Saturday with 300+ boats out there trolling every which way, and maintaining 150+ feet is definitely reminiscent of playing "Frogger" on the Atari. Once across the bay, there are often people anchored up and trolling all through the narrows, which is again challenging at times to maintain 150+ feet. You could spend WELL over an hour each way trying to navigate past everyone at wakeless speeds.
So, a couple of thoughts:
1. Distances are hard to judge on the water, and 150' is not nearly as far as you think it is.
2. Be reasonable where you operate, and expect others to operate. If you anchor up in the middle of the Narrows, you're going to get waked. I'm not saying it's right, but you're in a main thoroughfare. Now, if you set up in a cove and someone comes waking you, that's another story.
3. Some lakes should be listed as "no powersports allowed". The power squadron has already taken over Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Echo, East Canyon, etc. from April through September. And now they're starting to make their way to Strawberry and elsewhere. By no powersports, I mean PWCs and any sort of towable or surfing.
4. Sectioning off more portions of lakes (like the Wallsburg arm at Deer Creek) as wakeless.
Reservoirs in Utah are getting so crowded, that it feels like at times, nobody would be able to leave a wake without being in violation. There physically is not enough water to be more than 150 feet from one another at times.
Now, far be it from me to make excuses for the power squadron, because they are all that is wrong with boating, IMO. But, to provide a little more color, an example:
Once in a great while, I will run to the Soldier Creek side of Strawberry from the main marina. Crossing Strawberry Bay on a Saturday with 300+ boats out there trolling every which way, and maintaining 150+ feet is definitely reminiscent of playing "Frogger" on the Atari. Once across the bay, there are often people anchored up and trolling all through the narrows, which is again challenging at times to maintain 150+ feet. You could spend WELL over an hour each way trying to navigate past everyone at wakeless speeds.
So, a couple of thoughts:
1. Distances are hard to judge on the water, and 150' is not nearly as far as you think it is.
2. Be reasonable where you operate, and expect others to operate. If you anchor up in the middle of the Narrows, you're going to get waked. I'm not saying it's right, but you're in a main thoroughfare. Now, if you set up in a cove and someone comes waking you, that's another story.
3. Some lakes should be listed as "no powersports allowed". The power squadron has already taken over Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Echo, East Canyon, etc. from April through September. And now they're starting to make their way to Strawberry and elsewhere. By no powersports, I mean PWCs and any sort of towable or surfing.
4. Sectioning off more portions of lakes (like the Wallsburg arm at Deer Creek) as wakeless.