GP speed limit near ramps

[DLM]

This past Sunday, while waiting for my turn to pull to the dock and load my boat up, I was rocked, AND I MEAN ROCKED, by three different wakeboard boats. These inconsiderate *&)% were coming in or going out under more power than needed and causing some gigantic wakes. I kept turning my boat to take them head on and it handled it just fine. But I could'nt help but think about the guys in the smaller boats, they would have surely taken on water. A canoe would not have survived.

Then there were the boats at the dock getting banged again and again into the dock. And the people trying to get their boat on a trailer.

If this were a once and a while thing that's one thing, but it is every weekend and several times during the day. Now I am not saying all wakeboard boaters are rude and inconsiderate to the point of being unsafe, but from my personal observation both on the lake and around the ramps, the good guys make up only about 25%.

I would be interested in what other GP fisherman think about a speed limit on both the Thistle and Whitcomb arms around the ramps? Or a "no wake" zone. Would 10 mph be too fast, would they still make too much of a wake?

 

[eric71m]

I too, have waited my turn to get off the lake only to be rocked to pieces as I wait my turn on the ramp, and those individuals that dont have the salmon boat ramp rush experience, and dont know how to get on and off the ramp as fast as possible, I can only sympothise as the waves keep coming in rattling thier nerves and paticience.

 

[DLM]

I was just looking at the boating regulations on the Oregon Marine Board website and to my suprise there already is a 10mph limit within "the posted areas" near the Thistle and Whitcomb ramps.101shock1101

The only problem is, there are no posted areas at either ramp that I have ever seen, certainly no buoys marking an area. My opinion is that 10mph is too fast, wakeboats will still put out a heck of a wave at that speed.

 

[Lip Ripper]

You will also find in the regulations that each boat is responsible for there wakes. Get there # and turn them into the Sheriff. This is plane crazy some people don't care about others. A few years ago I was fishing in a 14' John boat at the booms with my brother-in law when one of those guys came by and turned us over and almost swamped another small boat. This needs to stop I have also had it happen to me at thistle. I agree 10 miles MPH is to fast it should be a no wake speed.

 

[268bull]

This has been an ongoing problem for years. Complaints get the same response time after time, under staffed, no funding,yada,yada. Stll, the best thing you can do is get the crafts operating number and as good of a description of the individual as possible and contact the sheriff. It happens out on the water also while I'm trolling. Coming between the shoreline and my boat. There used to be bouy's at Thistle creek but for whatever reason, that's gone by the wayside. Keep pressuring the sheriff with complaints! ( Non-Emergency # 541-967-3911 )

 

[twisted lines]

I have never seen GP, but can say my wake at 10 is much larger then at 40 there is a distance thing from the docks, look it up and ask politly for them to spend some time to inforce it. I am just tuneing in my planer boards and they do go out 100' both sides. thumbsup TL

 

[kokaneekid]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Green Peter, or any other lake in Oregon, the ramps are too small for most people, no one knows how to back a boat up, “except of course my brothers from the forum”, and you are on full power unless you are on the trailer, or you have a wake boarded behind you. Then the fat sacks are full and you have a wake the size of a cruise liner behind you and you are blasting the music so loud you just woke up most of my dead relatives. Good luck with the speed limit, It should be a No Wake Zone at the ramps, and you should always take is easy on the smaller boats.
Good Luck with that one I think you are preaching to the choir!
Fish On kokaneekid

 

[kokaguy1]

GP wakes

I'm with ya dlm. In my opinion a large majority of the people who own these types of boats do not understand and are totally unaware of the damage and safety issues these wakes can cause.
These folks spend tons of money on their boats and have every right to run them on bodies of water the size of GP, however, they must use common sense in the areas of docks and ramps, these areas should be posted as NO WAKE zones. I hold the people in charge of these waters partly responsible for not having the area properly marked as well. But that being said boaters with any common sense at all know ramps and docks are no wake areas whether they are marked or not. I could go on and on with the subject it just makes me soooo mad how some people operate a boat sometimes, they can be very inconsiderate. tooexcited

 

[kokaguy1]

Good Lord, so lets everyone do 40 around the docks and ramps cuz there's less wake. Come on! Your kidding right? ..... I'm going fishin these comments are very disappointing.

 

[skookum9]

It is my understanding that it was a small minority that caused us to have the Oregon Boater's Card rule. It seems that it is still that same small minority that just doesn't get it about safe boating for everyone's benefit. I do not know what it will take to get them to realize that they take away a lot of fun for everyone when they don't think about the effects of their actions on others but I sure wish that something would work on them. I agree that I would like to see them enjoy their time and money they've spent on those really cool toys they play on but I sure wish they would learn to be more considerate of others that are on the water to play also.

 

[eric71m]

sooo.... I spoke to the coasties down at sunnyside (?) and they told me that the whole inlet for thistle is suposed to be a no wake zone... I was told that everyone that notices violators, needs to call the lynn county sherif and report violators, no need for HID#. I was told that with enough reports, that the sherifs dept, and or the coast gaurd would be then force to watch for violators... hmmm... but at least it made me feel better.

especially after my partner was nearly nocked over board due to some ^(&(* &ss and his wake to beat me to the ramp... and it wasnt even a wake board boat... it was a fellow fisher...

At any rate call the lynn county sherifs office and report violators!!!

Maybe we will get something fixed if we as KFF fishers stick together!

 

[Lip Ripper]

sooo.... I spoke to the coasties down at sunnyside (?) and they told me that the whole inlet for thistle is suposed to be a no wake zone... I was told that everyone that notices violators, needs to call the lynn county sherif and report violators, no need for HID#. I was told that with enough reports, that the sherifs dept, and or the coast gaurd would be then force to watch for violators... hmmm... but at least it made me feel better.

especially after my partner was nearly nocked over board due to some ^(&(* &ss and his wake to beat me to the ramp... and it wasnt even a wake board boat... it was a fellow fisher...

At any rate call the lynn county sherifs office and report violators!!!

Maybe we will get something fixed if we as KFF fishers stick together!

It would be nice for the Coast Guard or who ever to post the speed limit so people would know what the speed limit is. But you would think they would use common sense to slow down. There is a 10 MPH speed limit posted on the bridge at Whitcomb but that doesn't help the boat ramp. They could put up a sign at the float at Thistle to advise every one of the speed limit. If we don't need there boat # what good will it do to turn them in. We need the # so the Sheriff has some one to go after. As Eric71M said lets all get together ans stop this before some one gets hurt.

 

[Cannon]

I hate the wake boarders as well. Second only to that are the idiots on the personal water craft. I hate restrictions but some folks just have no consideration or common sense so restrictions are required. Sad!

 

[jzell]

Why do you think they call um Wakeboard boats?

Take up your issue with the sheriff and contact the marine board to see what the process would be to change the law.

My guess is you guys will do........

jz

 

[f4knight]

No Wake zone

I agree there needs to be a no wake zone and a limit entering the ramp waters. I was @ GP yesterday when there were two sheriff's boats on the water.. which was great to see. f4knight

 

[DLM]

I have been talking with the Linn County Sheriff's Department and will report back with developments. I remain optomistic.

 

[DLM]

I was just looking at the boating regulations on the Oregon Marine Board website and to my suprise there already is a 10mph limit within "the posted areas" near the Thistle and Whitcomb ramps.101shock1101

The only problem is, there are no posted areas at either ramp that I have ever seen, certainly no buoys marking an area. My opinion is that 10mph is too fast, wakeboats will still put out a heck of a wave at that speed.

Here is a little update on what I have found out.

The Linn County Sheriff is contracted by the OSMB to provide enforcement and place bouys on covered waterways in Linn County.

The regulations say that the speed limit is 10mph (within the posted area surrounding the boat launching ramp in Thistle Creek Arm)

There are no areas marked around the boat ramp and the Sheriff's office says they would set out bouys but the OSMB must tell them where to put them, the OSMB must determine where the posted area should be.

OSMB pays for the bouys.

So, the regulation really means nothing until the OSMB tells the Sheriff's office where to set the speed restriction bouys/markings.

I have calls into the OSMB and will post any further updates as I learn more.

 

[Lip Ripper]

The next time you come to the dock in Thistle go 10 MPH and look at your wake. I did this the other day using my GPS going 10 MPH and the wake looked like the Queen Mary just went by. I strongly suggest a NO wake zone if they put up a speed limit sign.

 

[Fishin-RN]

Even my little 14 ft gregor makes the biggest wake at 10 mph. Every conscious boat operator knows that a majority of pleasure boats make the least wake at full plane or at idle speed or just above that. 101idea101

 

[DLM]

The current regs (250-020-0242) put the limit at 10mph but with the overwelming (sp?) support of "no wake" maybe we can get them to make a change in the reg.

Here is the link the the regs if anyone is interested.

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_200/OAR_250/250_020.html