Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

[anyfishlldo]

I have the launch/retrieve down pretty damn good, the worst thing I've done in a while is leave a transom strap sitting on the trailer step and lose it in the lake. This weekend we were out at a busier lake than we usually go to, when we got ready to leave my wife takes one look at the launch line and tells me she wasn't sure about getting the trailer (it was about a half mile long). I tell her we're going to the courtesy dock, dropping me and she should go hang back until she sees me backing the truck down. After I get the truck down I see that she is freaking out because the wind has picked up and there is a group of 5 or 6 morons on jet-skis doing 360's about ten feet from the no wake zone bouy (not to mention the no wake was only a tiny arc 30-40 yards off the docks) which were the same nimrods crossing 7 feet off my bow all day while we're both going 30 MPH.<br /><br />Because of the wind and wakes she comes in a little hot, which I would have done too, and comes perfectly bow-in to the bunks, pops reverse a little and comes to a dead stop (I was very proud of her at this point), all this with a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 week old in the boat. I hook up the winch line and start winding and the Ranger comes out on the dock and starts lecturing my wife about how she came in too hot and it makes it hard for other boaters launching and trailering. (and you should have seen all the other shenanigans going on at the dock)<br /><br />So I get a little annoyed and tell Ranger Timmy (he looked about 17 years old), if you were enforcing the no wake zone or had a more realistic zone she may not have had to do that, and I thought she did just fine. <br /><br /><br />SHT portion of this story, my wife got all flustered over Assjack Jr. chastising her and forgot to hit the "trailer" button and trim all the way up, dragged my outdrive for a couple of feet coming out of the water. She felt really bad all the way home, even though there was no real damage (roughed up the skeg pretty good).<br /><br />Lessons learned: <br /><br />1: Never assume your helper will remember the whole checklist and go over it every time. Ultimately it was my fault.<br /><br />2: Jet-skis suck, I will endeavor to go places that are not plagued by the little noise makers.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

3: Ranger Timmy sucks too.

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

 

[Twidget]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

If you find a place without the little buggers, dont keep it a secret. <br /><br />Its sounds like your wife did a great job under the circumstances.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

bet ranger timmy has a jet ski.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

Same problem at my local lake last week. <br />2 jet fleas and an idiot pulling a kneeboard going in circles right in front of the loading ramp.<br />I was coming in for my second try to get straight with the trailer(cussing the kneeboarder boat)Getting knocked around by the wakes..hit it dead on and hooked the winch.<br />I looked back at the lake and the game warden was riding by in his big center console,he didn't even look at the people blasting thru the no wake zone!! i was really pissed by that time.<br />I tried to flag him down but he just kept going..<br />No wake zones are a joke!Timmy the game wiener is too...

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

That is the shame of it, those are the bozos that give the rest a bad rap. I am no friend or lover of jet skis but there have been several threads about the helpful ones. Like any other sport or activity a few idiots mess it up for the rest. I would be having a chat with Ranger Timmy's boss as well as the warden that looked the other way. Here in western NY there was talk of outlawing the little fleas except for Lake Erie and Lake Ontario but I think that kind of fizzeled out.

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

I wrote an e-mail to the head Ranger, no response yet.<br /><br />As far as the jet-skis go, I see the primary problem being that they are so inexpensive and easy to get and use that every idiot can just go right out and buy and drive to the lake. No training and no expensive 3,000 pound toy to fret about so they just do what they like.<br /><br />Not to sound like a complete ***, but with the exception of two all of them on the lake that day were "migrant workers" (to put it nicely) that are all over Rifle in the summer, they were all yelling in spanish to each other and there was a group of about 20 on the beach waiting for their "turn". That's another problem with these jet-skis, everyone gets a turn whether they own the thing or even now how to operate it. (there were two of them on the lake wearing jeans even)<br /><br />That's where a boat is different (usually), there is a designated "Captain" and everyone else is just along for the ride, at least in my boat that's the case.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

I would hand write a letter to Timmy and cc his superior. They know that emails take but a second to send but a letter gets more attention than 20 emails. At least that is the way it works with congresspersons.

 

[roadhog]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

sorry guys, but I'm gonna have to play devil's advocate. Up here in Ontario, if you want to run a Jetski or PWC, you've gotta have a Boat card, NOW! The rest of us sane souls have got til '09 to learn the rules of the no-road!

 

[crazyray]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

Jet skis are notthe problem just crazies that operate them...thinking of getting th kids paint ball gun next trip...........but then youwould be reading about me in press lol...can't win can we

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

Got an e-mail back from the Sr. Ranger:<br /><br />Mr. Shirley, I received your e-mail regarding boating at Rifle Gap on June 4, 2006. I apologize that it has taken a little while to return your e-mail. <br /> <br />At Rifle Gap, Sunday is typically the busiest day of the week and I try to schedule sufficient resources to cover the three parks that make up our complex. High water levels, warm weather and the day of the week all contributed to make that Sunday one of the busiest that I have seen since I arrived at this complex in 1997. <br />I assigned volunteers and paid staff to cover parking assistance at the boat ramp (I appreciate your comments on our efforts). I also assigned two rangers to our patrol boat.<br /> <br />I spoke with both rangers that I assigned to the patrol boat and discussed your concerns with them. They were extremely busy making sure boaters were adhering to applicable laws and regulations while at the same time assisting visitors when their boats broke down. During the course of their shift, they did issue citations to a few personal water craft operators [PWC (jetskis)]. One of the problems that we are having is that a PWC often has multiple operators during the course of the day. We are doing our best to educate these users about the applicable boating laws, however they frequently have limited experience. <br /> <br />The Sunday that you visited us was extraordinarilly busy. I would encourage you to visit us again. My recommendation is that you visit during the week if you can or Saturday may also work for you. If you can only visit on Sunday, then arrive as early as possible and you may want to leave by 1 p.m. Typically, our peak time on the water is 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. <br /> <br />Let us know immediately if you have a problem with a specific boat or operator. It is helpful to gather as much information as possible to include a description of the boat (the registration number at the bow of the boat is very helpful) a description of the operator and specifically what they did wrong. If we have a good witness, it is much easier to correct a problem on the water. <br /> <br />I appreciate your comments. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /> <br /><br />Pete Firmin<br />Sr. Ranger, Colorado State Parks<br /><br /><br />I was happy with this, and sent him back one saying we would try it out again maybe on a Saturday.

 

[Frankhanhart]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

I always carry a camera on board and it tends to discourage people doing funny things they shouldn't do on the water when they see it pointed at them. :$

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

Camera, never go boating without it. One that does puesdo video the best.

Great job to your wife for being able drive onto your trailer under those extreme conditions. Need to teach my wife how to do it also as soon as I figure it out of course.

Good job giving the ranger a what for as well for chewing out your wife instead of those who created the problem.

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: Just when I thought I was done with SHT's **Update**

I did have a camera with me (how could you not with a two year old?) but I got the distinct impression that since the majority of the jet skiers obviously ignored our federal immigration and citizenship laws:0, that the state boating rules were gonna be relatively unimportant.8)