Illegal outboard motor use 2024

Wayne P. reply :

A while back there was a discussion about using larger motors on bodies of water that had HP limits and changing the motor stickers to indicate a legal motor, i.e.- 15- 9.9 and such. I stated that those who do that are poachers since they are attempting to take game fish illegally. Some said that was a harsh statement. I disagree. Here is a photo that I took last week of a boat being used on a lake with a max 10 HP limit. The picture is blurry because it is a frame of a video I took. Is this not the same as blatantly disregarding the law?

fishfordollars reply :

Assuming that the HP restrictions are for safety and to keep lake shore from erosion due to large wakes I see no problem with the picture as long as they just idle with the large motor. What's the difference if they mount a 15 next to it and use it? Looks to me as if they are being careful and abiding by any speed limit. Several lakes in my area that do the same and no one says a word(including lawenforcement) as long as they act responsibly. JMO.

Grey Wolf reply :

As soon as he turned that big boy on he was technically breaking the law , I don't care how slow he was going.

fishfordollars reply :

Talk to law enforcement and get their take on it. They may not be aware of this and if it is a strict rule then they should be ticketed. Be aware though that they may allow it to an extent as long as everyone is safe and sane on the water. If it is strictly enforced then yes they are breaking the law.

That may be the Chief and one of his deputies in that boat. LOL.

Pencil Pusher reply :

Yes, it is blatantly breaking the law, as far as operating the boat.

IMO, they are not "poaching" if they are using prescribed methods to take fish. They are, however, breaking a boating law, since the are violating the horsepower limit on that lake. In my area, there is a lake with a horsepower restriction but you can use the trolling motor to fish the lake. You do have to have the big motor tilted out of the water.

Jig Man reply :

It has gotten to the point around here that if you are caught on the water with a motor larger than allowed even if it is trimmed all the way up, you get a ticket by a sherriff's deputy or a city policeman depending on the lake.

Wayne P. reply :

fishfordollars, I am quite familiar with that lake and a couple others in the vacinity that have the same restrictions, I been fishing them for almost 20 years. Nothing has changed in that time to allow such behavior. I have a video file of similar violations I have witnessed for years. The Game Dept is aware of it and I have seen a few being ticketed for it. They are shorthanded like most areas of the country and can't patrol all of their territory all the time.

moby bass reply :

A local lake near me had a 10 hp limit although it was just recently raised to 20hp. I had boat dealers tell me they would just change the cover or the stickers to circumvent the law. While I disagree with the practice, I can understand some of the reasons. Originally when the lake was filled

trees were not removed and stumps were everywhere. Today that is not the case. I think the other reason people violate that law may be due to safety. I've been on that lake when the wind or storms come up and the waves build. 10hp is not enough to get you to shore quickly and safely. A pontoon boat can barely move against the waves and wind. You can have a bigger motor on your boat along with your 9.9 (or now 20) but the prop must be removed and left on shore.

OH-bass614 reply :

idk if i agree with the huge motor 200+ on 10hp or less but if ur just using a 20 or so i dont see a problem as long as you dont make an a** of yourself...

mayassa reply :

Where is that? Maybe a speed limit would be better than a motor HP limit.

Wayne P. reply :

For those that have a "justification" for it, the reason for the HP restriction has nothing to do with the imposing of the restriction. I don't know why, dont' care why, and have no need to know. A law is a law. It is a Department of Game and Inland Fisheries managed lake.

The lake is a flooded timber lake, but a lake about 10 miles from it is not-they both have the same HP restriction and both are less than 900 acres and are not recreational nor residential lakes. The pictured location is a trophy bass managed fishery in Va. with a known lake record of 16 pounds and 2 ounces. Its name is Briery Creek Lake.

Hookemdown. reply :

I'm with Wane on this one.

I fish a local ELECTRIC ONLY lake and see guys firing up all sizes of outboards all year long. It's like nobody even cares around here.

George Welcome reply :

Quote
For those that have a "justification" for it, the reason for the HP restriction has nothing to do with the imposing of the restriction. I don't know why, dont' care why, and have no need to know. A law is a law. It is a Department of Game and Inland Fisheries managed lake.
The lake is a flooded timber lake, but a lake about 10 miles from it is not-they both have the same HP restriction and both are less than 900 acres and are not recreational nor residential lakes. The pictured location is a trophy bass managed fishery in Va. with a known lake record of 16 pounds and 2 ounces. Its name is Briery Creek Lake.

And that's exactly where it is at! The person portrayed also believes that most other laws don't pertain to them. These are the people that you see not stopping at red lights, rolling through stop signs, and smoking in a no-smoking area. They behave this way because they feel that rules and laws were written for everyone else but them. They are also the loudest to complain if they feel that someone has wronged them. Sadly, this attitude is becoming a way of life for far too many people.

flechero reply :

I don't think it's poaching until you catch them trolling with that outboard.

FWIW, I think a HP restriction is silly. An idle speed only or no wake restriction is fine but to not allow a bass boat on a trophy managed bass lake is, well silly. :-/

thetr20one reply :

Some lake here are TM only but you can have an outboard as long as you don't start it. Most with 10hp restrictions will let you use you big motor to trailer your boat but, not run it on tyhe lakeng they are above the law, until they get busted. I have heard of many a sticker or carb change but, if the offficer knows anything and I am guessing they do hp is usually on the motor tag too. Not a whole lot of guys that would risk getting their boat seized for a fish around here though. At least that is the way it seems. I will look at the bright side and say at least this ********* is running an Optimax. What would have made it a cooler story would be to have the other ********* get tossed off the front deck when they hit a stump. I don't think it's poaching but it is breaking the law!

fishfordollars reply :

If I am wrong, then so be it. I too think it is silly to keep someone off the water just because of the motor hanging on the rear. If they are operating within the speed limits or other restrictions they should have the same opportunity to fish as anyone else as long as they just idle along.

This sounds to me as if it is nitpicking and some just may be a little jealous of the higher HP boats. What other reason could it be? Heck, they may be breaking the letter of the law; however, if ideling, they are causing no one any problems and are certainly moving around the lake at a much lower speed than someone with a jon boat and a 10hp hung on the rear.

We all pay to enjoy the outdoors. Our money to purchase a fishing license goes into the Wallup-Breau fund to enhance our lakes and rivers( Or it is supposed to), so I cannot see the idea of penalizing anyone that wants to fish a body of water as long as they are safe and courteous.

Again, if you have problems with this activity, contact lawenforcement and have them start ticketing the guys with the larger motors. If enough of you raise cain they will began to moniter the water and ticket accordingly. I just think it is crying foul when it is not necessary. JMO!

zellamander reply :

I'm with FFD on this one. I think it's silly to limit the people who can fish the water. I understand speed limits, and I understand no wake zones, but to not allow someone on the water because they have an outboard?.... Sounds ridiculous to me.

thetr20one reply :

I have 225 H.P. and get passed on 10 H.P. lakes by just about everyone who has more than 71 lbs. of TM thrust.

zellamander reply :

It just makes no sense to me I guess. I mean I follow the law and all, but what is the point of no outboard? Put a freaking speed limit on the lake and call it a day. How fast do you think a 101 lb thrust trolling motor will pull a boat? : I don't get what the difference is with going full speed with a trolling motor doing like 5 mph, compaired to idling an outboard doing 5mph? :-/

If somebody can answer that, it would be great.

fishfordollars reply :

Zellamander, I totally agree with you. So many of our laws are so stupid. Probably goes back to some old suit sitting in an office with nothing better to do and realizes the old suit judge owes him a favor. I will never understand the reasoning to limit fishing on some of our waters. Silly, silly, silly...

Wayne P. reply :

fishfordollars, Yes, you are wrong to even consider it appropiate to do so.

Using that craft is not illegal, they could have just used their electric trolling motor just like numerous others with that type of equipment do. They chose to use their illegal motor instead.

I have owned fiberglass bassboats since 1988, jon boats since 1972, and bank fished starting in the late 1940's. I never felt the need to put a gas motor on a jon boat until that lake was built. I did so just after it opened for fishing in 1989. I chose to do it right and legal as many dozens have, they didn't. Certainly the boat owner can afford a little ole jon boat if he can afford the Triton.

Owning a fiberglass bass boat with a large engine does not put anyone if a special catagory to ignore laws. Purchasing a fishing license or fishing equipment doesn't put anyone in a special catagory to igore laws either.

What they were doing wasn't causing any "problem". They were breaking the law, that is a problem.

Yes, I do report fish and game law violations and so should everyone else. That is why I took the time to do the video. I was on a school of 2#-4# bass, catching one about every 3 casts and felt it was my duty to pause and document such behavior-it eliminates the heresay when doing so. They saw me catch one about 30 seconds after I put the camera away when they were perpendicular to me about 40 years away. and I heard them commenting about it-they had to talk loudy because of the outboard running-those Optimax motors have a special sound.

Oh, by the way, I can run around 25 mph GPS with my 12' jon boat and 9.9 2 stroke Mercury raised 1" off the transom with a 9 1/2" prop, 3 gals of gasoline, two size 27 batteries and a bow mount 24V trolling motor beside two sonar units.

fishfordollars reply :

Wayne P I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

zellamander reply :

Ok Wayne, i just have some questions for you that i don't understand.

"I never felt the need to put a gas motor on a jon boat until that lake was built."

You said that, so does that mean you have an outboard on your boat on the lake? Also;

"Oh, by the way, I can run around 25 mph GPS with my 12' jon boat and 9.9 2 stroke Mercury raised 1" off the transom with a 9 1/2" prop, 3 gals of gasoline, two size 27 batteries and a bow mount 24V trolling motor beside two sonar units."

So are you running 25 mph with outboard or are you using a trolling motor?

Also;

"Certainly the boat owner can afford a little ole jon boat if he can afford the Triton."

I think that is a very unfair statement. For example: You want to go hunting on a private hunting ranch, and you own a .270 deer rifle, well somebody cried a litle and now the ranch only allows 7mm rifles, how motivated are you to go spend more money on something else that you DONT NEED, especially since you already own something that will work just as good?

Do you have to have a lake permit on your boat for that lake, or a truck sticker? Because if so, that costs money, and if you run all the people off that you say do this, then the lake is going to lose money.

wagn reply :

i understand it's against the law, and i know that breaking the law is wrong. I also know that when i drive 5 over the speed limit i'm breaking the law.

I'm not condoning breaking the law. I just want to know why there even is an hp law. No one has ever explained that to me.

I understand things like electric only lakes. It will keep oil and gas from getting into the lake.

I understand speed limits on certian lakes for safety. I just don't understand the point of hp limits on lakes. Just like i don't understand the point of a speed limit on the road if everyone drive 5-10 over.

Why not just raise the limit by 10 and then ticket anyone that is over at all instead of this unspoken rule about driving over.

If someone could explain the reasoning behind the hp limit i'd really appreciate it.

J_Zink reply :

Most smaller conservation lakes in Missouri were 10hp limited a number of years ago. They didn't mind if bigger motors were fired up to reload the boat on the trailer or if bad weather threatened. Eventually though they dropped it to a 10hp with a no wake. Anything under 10hp could run wide open, everyone else was at no wake. It primarily was to prevent erosion not too mention that everyone was cheating with 9.9 hp stickers on larger OB's.

A few Illinois lakes have a strict 9.9hp limit. They moved it to a no wake deal for a few years but some people abused it. Bank erosion was the reason but frankly, a johnboat getting pushed by a 9.9 throws much more wake than I do idling with my 150.

thetr20one reply :

Come on guys. Wayne P. is so right it makes my head spin reading everybody trying to make a wrong a sorta o.k. We live in America, the most powerful democracy on the planet. We vote for people or things including change. Somewhere along the line a vote was or will be taken on LAWS. Zellamander how about coming to Ohio for deer season? Gotta leave the ole .270, 7mm or any other non-muzzleloading rifle at your house and buy or bring a shotgun with slugs. That is our LAW here and you will have your rifle seized and possibly destroyed for using it. I have no halo and do break the speed limit alot more than I should, and problably break or bend other laws too. Not so much anymore but, I was a pretty wild kid. I got lucky too many times to chance it anymore especially having a family. I have just learned life is much easier to go through following laws and leading MY life. I vote and hope others vote the way I do but, not everyone will. I don't expect everybody here or anywhere to agree with me. Just like I don't really expect to make you see this issue my way, WayneP.'s way or anyway but your way. Continue along your path and do your thing your way. We will all meet up at the great big BASS RESOURCE in the sky and see who fared better in the game of life. Be safe and VOTE thats what I say to those walking the edge.

fishfordollars reply :

And many vote to restrict our fishing priveleges.

Wayne P. reply :

zellaander, thanks for that question. If you will read my first post, you will see that the lake is a HP (horse power) restricted lake with a 10HP gas engine max limit. Only gas motors of that power and less are allowed to be used. You can also use electric, or paddles. No wind power though-its not a recreational lake-its a fishing lake.

Lots of small lakes in the East have those type of restrictions. A bunch are electric only especially drinking water resevoirs of less than 2,000 acres.

I guess the history of boaters and their behavior has resulted in those restrictions. If larger boats with large engines were allowed with no-wake speed restrictions only, someone would be doing 70mph, water skiiing, tubing, jetskiing because they bought a boat and felt it was their right to do so-they paid that tax that fishfordollars mentioned. High speed on crowded small lakes is a disaster waiting to happen.

Most of those lakes that I fish are public, Game Commission managed, no ramp fees, and no permit required.

If I was thinking about hunting an area with certain weapon restrictions, and I didn't have the appropiate one, I would get one or not go. Just as good is not good enough when it comes to obeying the law/rules. I got enough weapons of each type to cover all species that I would encounter on the North American Continent. Excellent question though.

wagn, Just because laws are broken by some doesn't mean its OK for one to do so. I get that speed limit justification analogy all the time. If the speed limit was increasd by 10 mph, people would still go 5-10 mph over that because they can, not because its legal. Enforcement of those limits varies all over the country. Just try and go 5-10 mph over the limit in a school zone in some locations.

zellamander reply :

First off Wayne P hasn't answered my questions about what he said. He claimed he had an outbourd on his john, and he never use to until he fished that lake, and that he can run 25 mph... does anybody see a contradiction here?

I have family that live in Ohio, and if I myself lived in that state, I would disagree, and protest the no rifle law. That to me, seems like it was another person whining about another sport. Not pointing fingers at you, or anybody personally but it seems like this to me: Poor me, I hunt all day long with a slug gun and I have to wait for a deer to come in...(i don't know what the range on one is) and the guy next to me can shoot one down at 400 yards with his high power and scope. Boo hoo hoo.

Use the resources if you have them. I understand that there are restrictions, but as I said, put a speed limit to it. It's unfair and actually discriminatory to others when you can allow a john boat and trolling motor to move at a set speed, but you won't allow the outboard to do that same speed.

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote
First off Wayne P hasn't answered my questions about what he said. He claimed he had an outbourd on his john, and he never use to until he fished that lake, and that he can run 25 mph... does anybody see a contradiction here?
I have family that live in Ohio, and if I myself lived in that state, I would disagree, and protest the no rifle law. That to me, seems like it was another person whining about another sport. Not pointing fingers at you, or anybody personally but it seems like this to me: Poor me, I hunt all day long with a slug gun and I have to wait for a deer to come in...(i don't know what the range on one is) and the guy next to me can shoot one down at 400 yards with his high power and scope. Boo hoo hoo.

Use the resources if you have them. I understand that there are restrictions, but as I said, put a speed limit to it. It's unfair and actually discriminatory to others when you can allow a john boat and trolling motor to move at a set speed, but you won't allow the outboard to do that same speed.

What the heck are you talking about ?

zellamander reply :

Wayne P, disregard my first comment on my last post. You beat me too it. haha.

Also, you said that you can do 25 mph on the water with that motor, now I ask you this. Leave the law out of it for this question:

IF YOU CAN GO 25 MPH WITH YOUR 10HP MOTOR, WHY CAN'T I GOT 25 MPH WITH MY 200HP MOTOR? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Since this is America, we have the right to speak, and the right to protest. So laws may be protested. In my opinion and many others, just because it is a law, doesn't make it right. Do you disagree? If you disagree then listen to this. This is completely off the subject but it reprsents a law that i feel is not right.

A friend of mine met a girl in high school and they began to date. He was 17 and she was 15. They dated for a year and they began to sleep with eachother. Everything was consentual. Unfortunately she got pregnant with his kid, and him being 18, and her just a few days from 16, he is going to spend 10 in Federal Prison for statutory "rape", be on the sex offenders list for the rest of his life, and never be able to see his kids, go to football games, kids plays, anything. All this as the girl is fighting desperately to save her boyfriend from this. The state found out, and put him in this.

Do you agree with that law?

MARSH MASTER reply :

If he not hurting the fish, not hurting the lake, and is not harming you or anyone why would you even care? I see people braking the law every day but I don't go around taking pictures and telling on them If there not hurting someone or puting them in danger.

Wyatts dad reply :

I really like to read and learn from this board, but this whole thing is messed up. I went lookin on line and that is a great little lake. Why somebody needs a gas motor much less a real big one on that little thing I dont know. I also read where the powers to be prefer you to have the gas motor tilted up and use electric. There is something really wrong with anybody calling themselves a avid fisherman and outdoorsman that wants to ignore rules set in place to preserve a cool place for future fisherman. My point being this sounds like a great place to take a little kid, not have hotboat competitions. When we were young we were taken to a very similar lake, Lake Anna Va. had just been flooded and I have to say they were great memories and it made me feel a lot of respect for that resource. Now that lake is hotboat heaven and is no place to teach a kid to fish. While we are fisherman, we are also stewards of the enviorment and have a responsibilty to leave as we found it for future generations. Ya know NASCAR was a lot better before they got too big for their britches too.

thetr20one reply :

Quote
Wayne P, disregard my first comment on my last post. You beat me too it. haha.
Also, you said that you can do 25 mph on the water with that motor, now I ask you this. Leave the law out of it for this question:

IF YOU CAN GO 25 MPH WITH YOUR 10HP MOTOR, WHY CAN'T I GOT 25 MPH WITH MY 200HP MOTOR? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Since this is America, we have the right to speak, and the right to protest. So laws may be protested. In my opinion and many others, just because it is a law, doesn't make it right. Do you disagree? If you disagree then listen to this. This is completely off the subject but it reprsents a law that i feel is not right.

A friend of mine met a girl in high school and they began to date. He was 17 and she was 15. They dated for a year and they began to sleep with eachother. Everything was consentual. Unfortunately she got pregnant with his kid, and him being 18, and her just a few days from 16, he is going to spend 10 in Federal Prison for statutory "rape", be on the sex offenders list for the rest of his life, and never be able to see his kids, go to football games, kids plays, anything. All this as the girl is fighting desperately to save her boyfriend from this. The state found out, and put him in this.

Do you agree with that law?

I bet her daddy did! Kid, go down to the ramp start a protest and demonstrate til your done pushing buttons. Our gun law in Ohio is meant to keep unskilled marksmen who believe they can shoot 400 yards all pumped up with adrenaline, from shooting me instead. I personally use a muzzleloader during gun season that is good well past 200 yards but, I have never taken a shot over 40 with ANY deer hunting device. My biggest buck was shot through the throat because he looked strait up at me from under my stand 145 inch typical with a compound bow PSE with only 65% let off. Second biggest 139 typical was taken with a slug at 35 paces. Patience pays huge rewards! Your friend would not be facing 10 if he would have waited 2! Some people will just never see the forest through the trees!

wagn reply :

zellamander reply :

1, I'd rather you not call me kid. I've fought cancer for 2 years of my life, I'm 19 years old and have already graduated college. I've lived on my own since I was 16 years old and my mother and father told me that they didn't want me. So please, don't call me a kid.

2, Put your son or daughter in that place, I bet you're a big shot and would press charges if it where your daughter, but I bet you'd be in the corner crying your eyes out if it where your son. Right?!?!

Wyatts dad:

I'm not saying it is ok for a 200 hp motor to go out there and go on full plane, but there should be nothing wrong with a boater in any boat able to do the same speed that a 10 hp motor could do.

Put yourself in a full size boat with a big motor all trimmed up, here you are trying to get over to the other side of the lake with your trolling motor, and here comes a jon boat with a 10 hp motor on it flying past you and boom, you are stuck. If your are going to allow some, you need to allow all.

I don't see why a lot of you don't see that a simple SPEED LIMIT would solve the problem.

zellamander reply :

Wagn, I've asked the same question about why not just a speed limit instead of a hp limit on the lake. They can't answer the question.

Turtle. reply :

Quote
Wagn, I've asked the same question about why not just a speed limit instead of a hp limit on the lake. They can't answer the question.

I think you guys answered the question already.It was said we all speed driving or some do 5 to 10 mph over, whats to stop you from doing this on the lake?I feel a 10 horse limit sets the speed limit on these lake.There are several 10 HP restricted lakes that I mainly fish and love them.I dont have to worry about some guy with a big motor blasting past me while I am out fishig with my son.I'm sure there are other resons but these are just my thoughts.

Wayne P. reply :

So the consensus is that it is OK to break the law if it doesn't harm anything, doesn't bother anyone, don't care, don't agree with it, don't know why it exists, or lots of other people do it.

Thanks for your comments, I must be in the wrong place.

zellamander reply :

Pretty sure that it was stated a few posts back that a jon boat with a 10 hp motor throws bigger wakes then a 200hp motor.

shorefisher reply :

For what it's worth all the HP restricted lakes I've come across up here in upstate NY just don't seem appropriate for a big boat with a big motor. It seems to me they passed the 10hp law to really restrict the size of boat more than anything but along with that you get all the other benefits such as reduced wake, erosion...etc. Then again, we have a water authority reservoir that should be electric only (it's tap water after all) but allows <10hp. On top of that you cannot swim there (I learned that the hard way ).

There are plenty of lakes to take your big bass boat to, if you want to fish the smaller ones, buy a smaller boat.

thetr20one reply :

Quote
1, I'd rather you not call me kid. I've fought cancer for 2 years of my life, I'm 19 years old and have already graduated college. I've lived on my own since I was 16 years old and my mother and father told me that they didn't want me. So please, don't call me a kid.
2, Put your son or daughter in that place, I bet you're a big shot and would press charges if it where your daughter, but I bet you'd be in the corner crying your eyes out if it where your son. Right?!?!

Wyatts dad:

I'm not saying it is ok for a 200 hp motor to go out there and go on full plane, but there should be nothing wrong with a boater in any boat able to do the same speed that a 10 hp motor could do.

Put yourself in a full size boat with a big motor all trimmed up, here you are trying to get over to the other side of the lake with your trolling motor, and here comes a jon boat with a 10 hp motor on it flying past you and boom, you are stuck. If your are going to allow some, you need to allow all.

I don't see why a lot of you don't see that a simple SPEED LIMIT would solve the problem.

I can't help but to call you kid. Kids disobey and that is the vibe I get. As far as your cancer is concerned I really am feeling for you. Here is something for you I have never let out in these forums. Last october my 7 year old daughter was diagnosed with ALL. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I know all too well of clinic days, spinal taps, and chemotherapy sickness along with extended hospital visits. She will be on maintenance chemo and bactrim until Dec. 09'. Here I try not to use this as an excuse for my roller coaster fishing season, but I am definitely not the same man I was in September 07'. I am very much broken but I can not let her know. My wife and I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we will hold it together as long as needed. This is why I stress living life to the fullest under the law. There is so much else to worry about besides bending rules. If the sign says no, fishing find another hole! If it says electric only so be it! If my sign says don't walk on my grass (I HATE THIS ONE) don't walk on my grass. Life is not hard. YOU in particular should know! Cancer treatment has a protocol and life has a basic one too. Don't feel bad for me or my daughter. Feel joy we found why she was feeling so bad and had prompt proper treatment. I hope you are on your way to a great life and full remission. By the way, my daughter would problably not end up in that rape type situation. She has too many people looking over her shoulder at 8 let alone 15. And three mean cousins that would break faces for her. I am not in anyway a bigshot either I work very hard for what I have.

Daniel My Brother reply :

Wow, this has been an amazing thread to read. Zellamander and thetr20one, you guys certainly have been through the wringer. Best of luck to both of you, and especially your little 7 year old daughter. My six year old had to spend a couple of weeks in the hospital at the end of last year with a bone infection and it tore me up. She's just fine now, but I can't imagine battling the big c at such an early age. You've got my prayers.

Back on topic. I agree with Wayne P. If the law say 10hp, just run 10hp. If you don't agree with it, then write your congressman, start a petition, raise a stink...but in the mean time, obey it.

Excellent thread. I do appreciate both points of view, and the passion behind them.

fish-fighting-illini reply :

One question,

Is everyone with the long posts about how illegal this is going to drive to their local police station tomorrow and turn themselves in for driving over the vehicle speed limit yesterday?

No offense but if everyone with a big motor drove their boat like those guys then there would be no problem.

If there is a problem then by all means report it if there is no issue then just mind your own business.

just my .02c no offense meant

George Welcome reply :

General result for non-compliance by a sector on controlled waters is the closing of that body of water to all use.

I cannot comprehend the advocacy of non-compliance just because one thinks the ruling is inane.

Team_Dougherty reply :

Quote
Wagn, I've asked the same question about why not just a speed limit instead of a hp limit on the lake. They can't answer the question.

My guess would be how would you enforce it? How many boats have a speedometer? How many boats that have a speedometer, that is accurate? Would the police use radar to check your speed?

If you are driving your boat with a 5 MPH current pushing you and your speedometer in your boat uses a pitot tube to indicate speed is showing you are moving 10 MPH, which happens to be the speed limit, a cop marks you with radar and it, the radar, says you are going 15 MPH, which you are, you will get a ticket for speeding. Even if the cop used the known distance between two points and a stop watch you will still be going 15 MPH. it is very hard to get accurate speed reading on the water. Now if you used a GPS on your boat to get speed and it said you were moving at 10 MPH that would be more accurate.

Now just to make this post longer ;D.

If you were heading against that 5 MPH current and your pitot tube speedometer said 10 MPH you are actually going 5 MPH.

Now if that cop is in a boat with waves, current and wind. How would that affect his radar?

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

To me, the bottom line is people know the law. If you choose to break the law, prepare to suffer consequences.

If you are unable to deal with the consequences, dont break the law.

Ultimately, people are going to do things to break or bend written laws. What I dont want to hear about is when these people point fingers around and say "Well, everyone else does it too!"

It's a simple concept to grasp. Obey the law or pay the fines.

Pretty cut and dry if you ask me...

CFFF 1.5 reply :

Is it possible the HP restriction is becuase the smaller outboards will produce less pollution.

zellamander reply :

thetr20one: I feel for your daughter, and she sounds like she has the strength and the family support to over come any obsitcle. You and your daughter are in my prayers.

Team_Dougherty: The lake that I live on is a very small lake. There is a speedlimit on the lake as well. No hp limit, just a speed limit. There are coves in the lake and docks and all that stuff, and that all is marked as a no wake part of the lake. Our ranger's sit up on the dam and radar boats. I've heard people say that the lake that they are talking about is understaffed, well, don't put that kind of law on the lake if you can't watch it over.

I think a simple no wake would be a better choice.

CFFF 1.5f: I've seen some of those old johnsons throw more smoke than a freaking steam engine.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Quote
I've heard people say that the lake that they are talking about is understaffed, well, don't put that kind of law on the lake if you can't watch it over.

That is a very dangerous way of thinking...akin to saying that since there are not enough fish wardens, then I can keep as many fish as I want. Since there are not enough game wardens, I can kill as many deer as I want. Since there are not enough police officers, I can steal as many things as I want.

As long as I dont get caught, I didnt do anything wrong?

Like I said, very dangerous way of thinking....

fishfordollars reply :

Quote

Quote
I've heard people say that the lake that they are talking about is understaffed, well, don't put that kind of law on the lake if you can't watch it over.

That is a very dangerous way of thinking...akin to saying that since there are not enough fish wardens, then I can keep as many fish as I want. Since there are not enough game wardens, I can kill as many deer as I want. Since there are not enough police officers, I can steal as many things as I want.

As long as I dont get caught, I didnt do anything wrong?

Like I said, very dangerous way of thinking....

When there is an obivious lack of enforcement due to a staffing issue everyone should help pickup the slack by watching and reporting any illegal game activity. You should have the game law phone number in your phone and use it. For the members in Texas the following numbers are:

Game Laws 800 792-4263

Share-Lunker 903 681-0550

zellamander reply :

Speadbead: you put words in my mouth or misunderstood me. I'm simply saying that if they put the law out, and there are so many people that disobey this, then where is the law? Where are the wardons?

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I didnt put any words into your mouth, read what you have been posting and what you just posted again.

Because there is no one to enforce the law and there are so many people breaking the law, is there really a law?

Yes, there most certainly is a law. And it is being broken.

What I am "misunderstanding" is how you see ZERO wrong in breaking a law you might not agree with.

zellamander reply :

Ok Speedbead: Maybe you can understand this, If the town you live in has a bad part of town, where maybe there a more problems then other parts of the town, I bet the cops patrol that more don't they? So if there is such a problem on this lake, then why don't they patrol it, or do more about it? sounds like a bunch of whining to me.

zellamander reply :

And further more, I have NEVER in this thread or any other thread said it is OK to break the law. So yes, you are putting words in my mouth, or maybe you can't read. :

I have only suggested either a no wake, or speedlimit. And I have made the arguement about what is the difference in 20 mph with a 10 hp or 20 mph with a 200hp, but that seems to be unanswerable.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Ok, here goes...

I saw your response to the "kid" comment earlier, but your lack of personal accountability, to me, shows a kid's mentality...

I agree with you 100% that a HP restriction might not be the way to go on any given lake. The fact still remains that there IS one on this lake. That has to mean something to the people using the lake. It is not up to the general public to decide which rules to follow, but it is their duty to abide by them. If those with the larger boats wish to use the lake, they should do so within the rules or find some other place to go.

I am in no way, shape or form perfect. Far from it, in fact. I have broken laws and continue to do so (the cliche speeding analogy). But I know the consequences and have no one to blame but myself when I receive a ticket or some other form of reprimand.

Really, how can this point be argued any further?

roadwarrior reply :

Well, it can't...

Good night Irene.

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