I was pulled over and tested the week of the festival. The officer never asked me if I had switchable exhaust so I never opened them up and passed with flyin colors (86db). He told me that if a person was over 90db that they were handing out warning tickets and if pulled over twice a ticket/fine was then handed out. Sounds to me like they are being much more strict than they were with me.

KRUM

I'd be a supporter of any kind of action as well. I boat on the eastside mostly but do have friends in Grand haven. I leave my boat at home due to all of these issues. Can't imagine what the city loses with each boat that stays away...do the math...gas, dockage, etc. etc. Would otherwise be a great boating city, but for now I'll just stay away thanks.

Is it worth emailing News TV 8 and or other stations too ?
Maybe they can do an investigative report and get to the bottom of this and hopefully wake everybody up that needs to be woken.

This is second hand info, so if anybody can verifie it,.......than it may shed some more light on things.

I was told one of the officers / posibly higher ups had moved into the lake shore condo's and didn't like High performance boaters. Thought I heard the same of a local female lawyer.

Again I can't verifie either, but if theres truth there might be part of the problem if the right strings are being pulled.

Here's a few email address for TV 8

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Maybe if we can all email them we can get them to look into this and help us get some relief

Jon

Well all I know as I have been F*Ckin' with my exhaust for two weeks now to get it right. So quiet/restricted it wouldn't go on plane. I am going to be running switchables, if they want to dismantle my boat to find a switch, so be it. It will be quiet in land where it matters, I don't see the point they are making by having that be illegal.

What is of bigger concern has been addressed here. Michgan's currently in what is being called "The Great Michigan Depression". Now I own several business' and can tell you first hand this economy is tough right now. So leave it to local government to do what they can, to kick themselves in the D*ck. Here is an area that generates revenue for the local comunnity, and the state. I realize that the lakeshores entire revenue is not based on boaters but it is a big chunk. Take Grand Haven for example, chase the boaters off, and you chase off the night life. Don't tell me that they don't turn huge money on the weekends while those in the local marinas, those in Muni, and on the wall are not dropping a F#ck load of money on dinner, drinks, and entertainment. I have only been to Grand Haven a couple times in my life , and when I was there I spent money. Though local government does know a thing or two about business, they just gave a Muskegon based defense contractor a $1.5 million tax break for research and development that is looking at generating three jobs. This is who is pulling the strings around in this area, were in good hands!

Ya know i never thought of that. My neighbor is a reporter for WZZM -13 in GR maybe i will talk to her and see what she thinks.

That would be great,.......I really think if we could get some attension on this matter it would really help.

Jon

If talking w/ media, remember to put our best foot forward. For example most people used to think of motorcycle riders as trouble makers, now they are more likely to be your dentist or some other baby boomer w/ $$.
What do non-boaters think of high performance boats. They probally don't understand what responsible boaters we are or that OSO is 50,000 strong and how negative experiances could have have an actual effect on local business. Key West now highly values offshore boaters as they tend to spend serious $$ all over town.
Nor do we ***** and complain or make our voices heard like all the condo owners. Reminds me of when yuppies move to country side, pretty soon they start complaining about about farming "noise".
Lastly, not 1/2 hour before I got my ticket I was discussing seasonal slips & lift with manager at Eldean's. I will e-mail him and demonstrate a direct negative monitary cause-effect relationship of Sheriff's dept harasment.

The news DID DO a story a month ago
They came (Fox News) and interviewed me, also marinas, and locals

Made such an impact even our loyal OSO gang didn't hear of it

As far as the chamber goes trust me, that is not going to be any help

I have been dealing with them for years and they really don't have understanding of economic impact oddly enough

Take it from someone that has been trying to get them excited about our event (SOTW) and i get no interest

I am working on an audience with the people that can make a difference stay tuned

Everyone interested... please take a moment to view the speedwake thread. I posted something about making a survey in pdf format that you could submit back.

Maybe Boatme and I could come up with the questions. Showing something like this to local media and the chamber might make a difference. This would give them a real-time gauge of the economic loss.

This is what I posted over there:

If I supply a survey in pdf format (with a submit button to my email)

would you (fellow boaters) fill it out?

It would ask the following questions:

Would you visit the Grand Haven/Spring Lake area?
If not, Why?
If Yes, how often would you come?

Have you decreased the amount of times you visit the area?
Please explain...

What type of boat do you own?

How much money do you spend per weekend boating?

Gas____
Dining____
groceries____
shopping____




I have never tried, but how do you post a file? Could a moderator make a sticky for it?

I live 1/2 mile from the GR airport and every time a military jet or anything goes over that is loud I run outside to see.
OH and yes I own a loud boat.