sprink56
New Member
- Oct 28, 2008
- 1,288
- Boat Info
- 1979 255 Liberator
- Engines
- twin Mercruiser 450 HP I/O on Bravo I Drives
When I did some research about a year ago I got this from more than one land owner and marina operator... The law was designed to do 2 things:
1.) Reduce noise levels. Get rid of the high speed (loud) jet boats.
2.) Eliminate unsightly fishing/party barges. Stop people from bolting campers and old mobile homes on to pontoons and calling it a house boat.
I live closer to Weiss Lake and have seen some of these monstrosities. Nasty! I'd be willing to bet that the rules for Lake Martin will soon change to allow for longer cruisers but no "house boats" and no loud a$$ jet boats.
When I spoke with the Russell Marine rep today we discussed this. The house boat deal was dealt with the wrong way by not establishing a code of construction standards for these things. I have seen some beautiful house boats in Tennessee that any one would be proud to own. The restriction on the "Go Fast" boats could have been addressed simply by outlawing thru hull exhaust w/o mufflers.
The "Go Fast " boats originated down here and we deal with the problem with exhaust noise enforcement and speed limits in the Intra Coastal Waterway (30 MPH).
The Florida Marine Patrol does a good job of enforcement yet we still have accidents like that tragedy near Jacksonville this past weekend.
I think, especially for "Big Martin" that the rules need to be changed to allow for larger cruisers and for the Offshore Power Boats. The politicians need to involve boat people in the decision making process instead of legislating something they know little or nothing about.