Tragic accident on Lake Conroe 7/1/14
 

http://montgomerycountypolicereporte...-claims-lives/

reminds me of a very similar accident some years ago on the same lake, this time it was a bass boat and a runabout.

Not worth boating after dark unless it's full moon and no clouds, period

All bad. Not the news we want to hear before a big holiday weekend. Sad stuff.

Stayed up late last night following the story and listening to the helicopters. Very sad indeed, Lake Conroe has a planning speed only at night law. It shows one boater was going well beyond planning speed. The other problem with a dark night on Lake Conroe is the boat lights blend in with the house lights. You really have to pay attention if the moon is not bright.

RIP

9:07 pm would have been just after sunset (8:27, according to the interwebs). I'm guessing the accident would have been a bit earlier than that. How dark would it have been? I'm thinking it had to be somewhat light out even after sunset?

I live near and boat on Conroe very often. I heard about this first thing today and it is truly sad. It is very interesting how some folks just assume the bid bad performance boats are always the problem. I tried to show my perspective in post #10108691 in the thread below....

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/...ed_in_boat_cra

Completely dark by that time.

A number of years ago, I got a burr under my saddle about the "dangerous cigar boats" out there killing everyone, and spent the better part of a couple of days crunching numbers from the USCG database. End result, if you want to die on the water, boat in a canoe. They are BY FAR the most common boat type where fatalities are concerned. Performance boats don't even have a separate category, they are just lumped in with all other powerboats.

I never did like night boating. I was always way too on edge to actually enjoy it.

Interesting point of view the fishermen have.......pretty obvious the damage on the Mariah the bass boat was hauling a$$. Hell I am surprised the engine is still attached to the Skeeter. Very sad deal for all parties.

It looks like the bass boat was moving at a pretty good clip. By the damage to the outboard bracket it looks like it passed right thru the white deck boat. Sounds like there may have been operator error on both boats. The deck boat for possibly not being properly lit (nav lights if under way, anchor light if stationary) and possibly excessive speed (for conditions) on the bass boat. Regardless of fault, definitely not good news at all. I enjoy boating at night. However I boat on the Detroit river and we have marked shipping channels so for the most part you basically have to just look ahead (since it's shallow outside of the shipping channels there shouldn't be traffic coming at you from the sides). When underway at night, I maintain just enough speed to stay on plane. Since we are out enjoying the evening, we aren't ever in a hurry.....