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(Lake Martin Specific)
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Today we had friends in town, so we went on a toon cruise around the lake. After having lunch at Harbor Docks (which was very good), we decided to enjoy a slow cruise of the shoreline and look at houses and cabins. As we were putting along north of Real Island at about 2 MPH, we passed landside of a buoy that was placed well out from a dock.....I didn't see the buoy until I was about 30 feet away because it was off shore starboard and I was watching mostly front and port (at people and houses). There were folks on the dock port side and also one lady swimming, but I was at least 50 feet away. When I saw the buoy I started to turn starboard, but passed between it and the dock. If I had seen the buoy earlier I would have passed outside of it, even though I was at idle and it was far off shore. As I began to wave, a girl on the dock yelled at me that I needed to stay outside the buoys; she was not kind in this "suggestion". I have no problem with folks trying to make sure they can swim safely, but she was quite arrogant and more or less told me that area of the lake was off limits to anyone but them. Basically, I was told it was their property and that I was rude for passing within the area they had marked. Knowing the rules, I couldn't help myself from asking if this was their lake. Her response was "do you live here?".....to which I said yes, but what is the difference? It is a public lake! Anyway, I couldn't help myself from turning around and going out the same way I came in. By doing such, I was bombarded by threats from her, another gal, and a young guy who wanted to beat my @ss.
I'm posting this because it made me think about a few points that have been argued here on this forum many times; There can be a fine line in the balance of what is rude and improper. In this case, I thought (and still do think) that these folks were rude and improper in their actions ( and they made it known they feel the same way about me). The point is, there really isn't a good definition of such in a case like this, and everyone should look at both sides of the situation. This is a public lake, but given the length and width of the slough we were in I'm sure these folks have had their dock buzzed many times at a high rate of speed....I think they were probably frustrated from such events. That said, they don't own the lake and had no right to chew my @ss and make threats for passing within an area they had determined was theirs ( and isn't).
This is a big lake. There are many people that use it and enjoy it, but it belongs to none of us. We must all be vigilant in protecting ourselves and our property, but we must also realize that Lake Martin is a public area that requires tolerance of others. If you're a home owner, accept the fact that you only own the land that touches the lake. If you are a boater, try and respect the property of others around and on the lake. If you are both, realize you're damn lucky and look at the big picture. Nuff said.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/21/2012 10:10:46 PM
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Don't sweat the small stuff :-)
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| Name: |
JTenn
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/21/2012 10:24:21 PM
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have a neighbor thet has swim buoys out only to have them. they Never swim in that area
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| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/21/2012 10:32:52 PM
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I thought swim bouys were legal at 25 feet from the dock
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/21/2012 10:34:58 PM (updated 7/21/2012 10:43:36 PM)
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For McGill.....Well said. Some folks are just selfish jerks, and there isn't anything you can do about them. It is our lake, their lake, and anyone else who wants to avail themselves. I'm sorry that you had to endure their false sense of "ownershp", I've encountered the "stay away" buoys in the Parker Creek area as well, and it is fairly easy to observe them. That being said, if traffic is heavy and safe passage of boats violates their self imposed boundaries, tough.
Took a Wave Runner ride today and explored some of the back parts of the "land between the lakes". First comment is that there were a lot of what appeared to be "day trippers" enjoying that pristine environment. Second comment is more of a question. Has anyone else noticed that someone has installed a permanent mooring site in the back of one of the sloughs and named it "Dawg Daze"? I could see that it would be a great place to moor and have a very private "experience"!
Just happy to be here!
Nasreddin Hodja
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/21/2012 10:40:30 PM
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I don't know whether it is legal or not, but 25 feet is a micron compared to most lake measurements and any idiot that would motor within 25 feet of someone's dock needs to have their boating license pulled.
Think of it this way. Most garden hoses are 50 feet long. Steretch one out and ask yourselff you want someone coming within HALF that distance of your dock. Ugh.
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Here is what Capt Brooks posted on the subject: "A number of people place "swim buoys" or mooring buoys off the ends of
their docks. We don't have a problem with this as long as these buoys
don't interfere with the normal flow of traffic for the slough and are
not placed more than 25-feet from the end of the dock."
To me, that says they are not illegal if within 25 feet of ones dock,
but they are also not official in any respect (note he doesn't say they are "legal" either). They also do not signify
'ownership" of the water, but should be seen as a reminder to be careful (I have
seen many that are at far greater distances than 25' and never get
removed). My neighbors would not be able to get home without passing
within 25 feet of my dock (or the one across the water) and I would look
ridiculous in trying to prevent their passage. It all boils down to common
sense.....if someone idles by a dock, they are doing nothing wrong
(even if you have swim buoys).
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/22/2012 7:54:37 AM
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Wow, you must be on a narrow slough. Agree completely with using common sense and courtesy. Maybe I should amend my statement to apply to those who motor within 25 feet when they don't have to......
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| Name: |
CenturyCC
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/23/2012 9:26:51 AM
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How far away from the dock? I may have been so inclined as to report if it was further than 25'...I can't stand people like that. Have absolutely no idea about the actual laws and rules, and attempt to berate others based on their "understanding" of such.
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
Swim Buoys
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Date:
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7/23/2012 10:02:28 AM (updated 7/23/2012 10:02:54 AM)
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Are yall talking about those brightly colored floats in front of folks' docks? I thought those were markers for a slalom course.
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