HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

For those of you who don't know what is going on... Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is in the beginning stages of lobbing for stricter laws on the lake. They have discussed Speed limits, noise restrictions, size limits & HP limits. You may think this does not affect you, because you don't boat at SML... WRONG!!! We have been informed that whatever decisions are made at SML WILL affect the entire state of Virginia. So those of you on the James or the Chesapeake WILL feel the affects of this lobbying...So...I would ask that you all start to become involved. The senators said that majority rules and right now the Blue Hairs have us out numbered.

I'd like to hear from our OSO brothers & Sisters who have gone thru this before? What suggestions can you give? We are looking for lobbyists to assist with saving our right to boat. We are contacting the manufactures & our senators. We are aligning ourselves with our local USCG & Game Warden...but right now there are a few "committee members" who are out to get us and they have the upper hand right now. The facts show that power-boaters as a whole have not been the ongoing problem however all the "on golden ponders" what us gone from their lake. We NEED HELP...or I'm afraid we are going to be losing this battle.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Check with the NJPPC (or something like that) C-Spray, DaveP and those guys. I think that they successfully defended an effort to impose speed limits a year or two ago.


....and just for the record, the Potomac River is Maryland water!!! :p :drink: :drink:

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

THANKS!! A LOT! And I really meant to say Chesapeake... I was just reading the Virginia poker run article & they said Potomac. I've changed it above.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

DaveP was on the forefront of their defense, so he is a better guy to ask. The key strategy is not to argue for no changes at all, but to bring something pro-active to the table, for example, how SMLPBA will strictly enforce reasonable restrictions on its members, support safe boating initiatives, work with the other boaters to create certain restricted areas in exchange for leaving open areas unrestricted, etc. Keep your people calm, make sure they dress up for the meetings, and stay away from such shenanigans as voting multiple times on polls (your opponents spotted this right here on OSO) and name-calling.

Like it or not, things are going to change there. This double fatality has let the genie out of the bottle, and you're never going to get it back in. I saw the interview that your club did on the local news the other day, and it was right on - very pro-active, well presented, and calmly stated. (Was that you?) That's the right approach - keep it up.

Oh - and if you know any other go-fast guys that drink and drive, act like idiots, or otherwise tarnish the image, confront them. They will ruin it for you all.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Nothing hitting the nail on the head...with a sledgehammer! Nice post Chuck!

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Chuck: I was on the board with Dave, Jerry, Charlie.
Set up a committee with responsible people, reach out to assemblymen who will stand by your side, You are in for a battle because its a Lake with no open access to open water.
Lake Hophacon In NJ three years ago has now posted speed limits for weekends and nights, they also inforce noise restrictions. Size may be a problem because they can't allow a 40ft Cruiser or Sail Boat if they are not going to allow Performance boats of the same size. write Dave he can head you in the direction you need.
Frank

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

All of your points are right on the money & as a club we have really tried to maintain our composure. It not easy with all the stereotyping & name calling we are getting. I've stated multiple time for us NOT to throw stones, but I'm not too sure how long I can hold these guys off. There are so many mis truths being spread out there we are getting hammered on them (ie: Racing on the lake, 100PMH passes, drinking, reckless operation, lack of care, etc) It's all perception. Fact is we do care and we've come to these meetings with that as our agenda ... only to be received as a guilty party. We're not against change...we just want to be involved in the process and not blamed for it.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

One good thing we know is that...SML is considered a navigable waterway. I think this status gives us the right to have any type/size of boat on it. But if they get their 25 night & 45 day speed limit... I would imagine most power-boaters won't bother with the hassle.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

I just posted the Lake Conroe Texas night time speed regulation link on the other thread http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=112271

Hope this helps...

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Good luck! You need to find a local elected offical that will listen to your side of the story. The night time speed limit is probobly not a bad idea, but the daytime 45 MPH...... Welcome to my nightmare :evilb:
Dean

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

45 MPH can be just as deadly as 75 MPH without the proper training and experience.
As for the size and HP of boats, they will have to remove or restrict all boats over the limits established, not only performance boats.
How will these new regulations effect Jet skis, bass boats, cruisers...sounds like there is more at stake than just performance boaters.
The night speed limit is probabally a good idea.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Jim you need to run for gov. of va. so we have someone in there for us.You have done a great job of getting our club up and running and what we're about and that's safety first.keep up the hard work and i'll be down soon to lend a hand.if needed we can have our meetings at my new shop at SML.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

When you guys get organized, let me know what I can do to help.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

I tried to PM DaveP, he's not accepting PM's...so if anyone knows how to get a hold of him, have him call or email me please. Thanks!

Jim Marsh
[email protected]
www.SMLPBA.com
336-644-0666 or 336-210-3269

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Man...that's the type of reply I really needed to hear! Thanks!!!!

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

I just booked a cabin for next year in early August. Pulling my boat up from Winston-Salem, NC. What restrictions are they looking to impose. I own a wakeboard boat. Are they on the hit list and should I get my money back now.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

You should be fine aslong as you practice safety for the driver and passengers.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

As usual the few simple azzes ruin it for all of us :mad:

Good Luck

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Jim,

Please let me know what I can do to help. I just bought a place at SML, on Craddock Creek this year. We must maintain our right to boat responsibly without the legislation of those who do not understand "safe speed".

Ty

[email protected]

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Is there not somebody at Mercury or Brunswick Corporation that fights this type of stuff? You would think they would have a lot to lose?

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

If anybody knows who, please advise...otherwise we're lookin for volunteers to help make these calls & find out.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Where have you been Ty changing diapers or something.we'll be at the condo for the wine fest sept.24 so call me or stop by if your down at SML.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Good luck! All the boat/engine manufacturers NEVER helped in any of the Manatee Zones lawsuits that have been filed by ANY of the boater rights groups, (www.cffw.org) here in Fl. They don't seem to think it will impact their bottom line, so....... :mad:
Dean

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Rich;

Are you going to be up this weekend?

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

No but i'm coming down thurs. afternoon until fri. afternoon to work on the shop and bring somethings down to store.i'll be back down wens of next week until sun.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Jet skis, as much as you may hate this group but almost all of them go faster then 45. Might be good ones to get on your side.

Labor day weekend I was telling a Travis county sheriffs about the accident that happened at SML. I told them about the law change where they have to have someone on the lake 24/7. I will not repeat exactly what they said but they said said "We (law enforcement) needs to decide when we need to be here". They said on weekend during the summer they hit the lake hard & heavy. During the winter & week days in the summer they hit and miss. You might work on getting that law changed. The law enforcement might even be on your side in the fight.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

No diapers yet, about 4 more weeks. We sold our house in N. VA while waiting for the new place in Warrenton to be finished. Lots going on right now. Wish I was down at the lake a little more often.

I plan on making up for lost time next year :D :D

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

From what I have hear the game wardens would definitly don't like that law. They would much rather be able to use extra resources on the weekends than waste all there hours during the week when they are not needed.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Another poll: Go ahead & vote. There has also been some new changes. There is 2-4 board members still looking at speed & noise as a safety issue, even though the USCG has said sound does NOT pose any safety threat & with the exception of the latest accident...neither has speed. Eitherway...they want all power boaters off the lake. (And YES John P I'm talking about you... you're the one who has written the 3+ articles stating that you want YOUR lake back from us arrogant powerboaters. Guess what...it's not your lake)

http://www.smithmountaineagle.com/

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Shh. their watching us.lol

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

My 8 seconds are up... I'm done being nice.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

they're proposals will affect all inland lakes in VA (speed limits) but that will also make it "special legislation" and it would take 2/3rd's vote in the house to pass,
bit remember this is just the task force's suggestions and if the DGIF does not like what they come up with they will propose what they feel will be the best solution.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

DAVE P WORK PHONE NUMBER: 732-899-7886.Dave is a VP of Essex Credit in New Jersey and also does a great job on performance boat loans.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

it might be me, but I don't see a poll!

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

It's only there for a few days, it's probably gone off the page now

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Yea, they yanked it...

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Game chief quashes speed limit idea at lake :evilb:

http://search.roanoke.com/dtSearch/d...%5fform%2ehtml

There's no evidence, he said, that speed limits would improve safety at Smith Mountain Lake. Talk about lake safety on the message board.

By Mason Adams
(540) 981-3149
The Roanoke Times

MONETA -- The head of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said Tuesday night that he'd support efforts to bring more game wardens and mandatory boater education to Smith Mountain Lake, but not speed or noise limits.

Col. Gerald Massengill made his comments in response to recommendations by the 11-member Smith Mountain Lake Water Safety Task Force. Those recommendations, presented by Advertisement

task force spokesman Ralph Brush, included boat speed and noise limits, a greater law enforcement presence on the lake and mandatory education for boaters.

Massengill said he wouldn't rule out the eventual possibility of speed limits on Virginia's waterways, but he told a crowd of about 175 that there was no evidence to show that speed limits in general -- much less the 55-mph day limit and 25-mph night limit recommended by the task force -- would improve boating safety.

An August boating accident that killed two well-known lake residents and their dog brought the issue of boating safety to the forefront at Smith Mountain Lake. Speed limits and the use of high-performance boats have been points of contention since then.

"We've looked and we've looked hard, but we can't provide our legislators a rationale for the selection of those numbers as opposed to any other numbers," Massengill said.

Massengill said an existing law allows wardens to pull over boaters driving at an unsafe speed. And with new radar detectors provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Game Department will not only be able to better prove its cases in court, but collect data on speed as well, he said.

Similarly, there's no evidence that restricting boat noise will improve safety, Massengill said.

State Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, did not attend the meeting, but he wrote in a letter that he planned to include a nighttime speed limit in his recommendations for the upcoming legislative session.

Massengill said the Game Department would support the task force's recommendations to restore full funding of Virginia's 2 percent watercraft sales and use tax. Though intended for the Game Department, the General Assembly has channeled that money to other funds over the past three years.

The water safety task force recommended that money instead be used to hire 10 new wardens, bringing the total on Smith Mountain Lake to 19.

Massengill also supported mandatory boater education, to be phased in over eight to 10 years.

"An excellent first step would be to require law violators to complete a course as part of their penalty," he said.

Bruce Dungan, president of the Smith Mountain Lake Association, said the Game Department's plans mark a step forward for lake safety.

"I think we've got a fair amount of common ground," Dungan said. "Both sides feel strongly about it, and we've got some room for debate."

Brush said he was pleased with Massengill's response. He was even happier about response among lake residents.

"We have come so far in three months," Brush said. "We've come so far in bringing this community together."

In his speech presenting the task force's findings, Brush noted that posters at a message board on a performance boat Web site had ridiculed members of the team, calling them an "outdated generation" and "bitter and selfish in their old age." :chick:

Brush said he saw a lot of people who owned performance boats at the meeting, but that there was a feeling of cooperation among the various lake interest groups. The task force did not recommend the banning of high-speed performance boats or personal watercraft such as Jet Skis.

Although most lake-area legislators did not to attend the meeting, which was rescheduled after Monday's snow, Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, was there. He said he knew the Game Department had put a lot of time into the issue and he'd look closely at Massengill's recommendations.

Staff writer Jay Conley contributed to this report.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

There was another thread started by someone in SARASOTA I think and had us all vote on link set up by the local officials. Many OSO'er voted against the speed and noise regs. I am not sure of the outocme from that voting. Maybe that person will see this thread and let us know the final outcome.

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!
 

Was that us.... :D

Re: HELP!!! VIRGINIA Powerboaters are under FIRE!!!!!!!!