Lake Ranger Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Hi Everyone, it's been awhile since I've been here, but I'm hoping someone can help me out. I tried to enjoy a peaceful weekend at my camp in West Nipissing, but there was no chance in hell that was going to happen. For 25 years now I have owned 220 acres of property on two sides of a narrow lake (as narrow as the length of a pool in places) and have never experienced an episode like what happened this past Labour Day weekend. A few years ago, a couple purchased a small piece of land close to mine with the intent to build a trailer park. Despite the community's and property owner's efforts to stop a commercial campsite from being developed, the Municipality granted them permission to do so. Long story short, a few years later and a ton of environmental and zoning wrong-doings, where the city just turned a blind eye, they got their campsite up and running. Things haven't been the same for property owners on this lake since, and one of the consequences now is that our taxes have skyrocketed because of this bogus development. Besides all the down-sides to this, our little lake is now a mecca for many inconsiderate campers from the adjacent 'private' trailer park. This weekend a few of them insisted on blazing around and around all weekend on their wave-runner, towing skiers and tubers right in front of my property where I like to swim across to my other side of the lake. The wake smashed my little fishing boat over and over onto the rocks and I was unable to go swimming until they took a short break. I went into the water and they returned, blasted by me, knowing damn well I was there but didn't give a crap, and carried on buzzing around and around recklessly and foolishly, hollering and carrying on like a bunch of idiots. Like I said, the lake is narrow. The shores are rock. There's rocks just beneath the water, and there is a marsh basin yards away which was also being inflicted with crashing waves with their continuous circling. The skiers flew off a few times. These people have no clue what this lake is like or what is beneath the surface nor do they care...and because it's secluded they can get away with anything they want. What the heck are they thinking? One day there's going to be a broken skull and a bunch of blood on my shore and I don't want to be liable. Is there anything I can do to prevent them from killing themselves or me? I just want to go there and find peace, not watch and hear a bunch of show-offs wrecking the lake, the habitat and my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Call the authorities. Simply put it is illegal to boat fast enough to cause a wake on any shoreline. That's what I would do, immediately not a week latter. Next time it happens have the OPP or whomever's responsible for the peace and safety in your jurisdictions number in hand. * OPP on your cell phone. What they are doing is unsafe as you say and illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KraTToR Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 This seems to be a major problem all over now. Although you need a boater's card very few personal watercraft operators follow the rules of right away, not to mention the other rules meant to keep everyone safe. Last weekend I was leaving the big marina in Port Dover to go go out and do some fishing. I was following a big cruiser (+40ft) and as we were exiting the "no - wake" area at the end of the breakwall some a$$hat in a 35' cruiser decided he was going to come into port on full plane, then dumping the throttle at the very last second. Well this had little effect on the big boy in front of me but it sure tossed me around a bit and the operator looks at me with this big sh!t eatin' grin cuz he thinks he's so cool. Of course his kids are watching so now he's providing a good example for the generations to come. Sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Yep, you there is a specific speed limit when within a certain distance from shore. I can't remember the exact numbers, but it is there, and people do get charged with it. Seen it happen myself. If you think its wreckless, they could also maybe be charged with wreckless operation. They're probably all drinking too. Call the cops. I hate these kinds of idiots too. I don't mind people having fun, but I hate idiots. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Ranger Posted September 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 THANK YOU! I will get on this right away! I've beens so upset and really didn't know if there was anything I could do without being blown off as a disgruntled and bitchy NIMBY. I will call and email the MNR in North Bay as well in hopes that might stir some interest in the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Dont' count on the MNR doing anything......useless. Call OPP marine unit, or SAVE team. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Krattor there seems to be a problem this summer everywhere but here on the north shore has been scary a few times for us. I don't know if you heard about the goof in Turkey Point on a yellow Sea Doo jet boat using swimmers as pillions to slalom around a few weekends this summer. I hope they got him. Lake Ranger you will need to catch them in the act before the OPP come out has been my experience. Kind of reporting a speeder after the fact without a license plate number.. Take pictures of the numbers on the watercraft. We have your back, there is no need to have to live in fear for others safety as well as your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Ranger Posted September 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 I appreciate all the awesome advice from everyone and I'm sorry to hear of similar situations. It just wrecks it for everyone. There are so many responsible boaters and water vessel operators, and at the same time there's so many careless and disrespectful idiots out there. . I had no idea about this SAVE Team and will be making calls right away. I wonder if there is an online incident report forum for these types of situations... And talk about big crap eatin' grins...that's what I got all weekend long for hours on end....I finally grabbed my phone and filmed the idiots whooping and yippin' and yee-hawin' and the wake crashing ashore, so at least I have proof. I'm sure they're looking for themselves on You Tube now, thinking they'll be scouted for the next big stunt actors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirCranksalot Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 When is open season?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Ranger Posted September 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 When is open season?? The great thing is, they're spinning around so fast that forensics won't be able to decipher from which direction the shot came from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoePa Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 If the water is that narrow then ask the MNR to put - no wake - signs up at the spot - then if they continue to fly through that area they can be charged - you may even offer to pay for the signs - if the MNR won't do it then put your own signs up and see what happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenboater Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 gopro on your boat and record the crap out of them. then blast it out to various levels of gov't and their associated ministries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallie Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 I could be wrong but i think it is 50 metres from shore has to be 10kmh or less. Nobody likes a clown i have a 12 footer that is routinely rocked by stupid people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 I was on Kasshabog last week and was very quickly reminded why I never want to own a cottage. Far too many selfish idiots around to ruin my day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 I do have to say that the Youpin', hee hawin' or was it yoopin', yippin' and hee hawin', all that isn't illegal. It's kids having fun. I do get a smile on my face when I hear kids having fun. I can actually remember that far back. The needless careless driving is something else though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bacon Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 Yep, you there is a specific speed limit when within a certain distance from shore. I can't remember the exact numbers, but it is there, and people do get charged with it. Seen it happen myself. If you think its wreckless, they could also maybe be charged with wreckless operation. They're probably all drinking too. Call the cops. I hate these kinds of idiots too. I don't mind people having fun, but I hate idiots. S. I could be wrong but i think it is 50 metres from shore has to be 10kmh or less. Nobody likes a clown i have a 12 footer that is routinely rocked by stupid people. There is a 10km speed limit within 30 metres of shore. However, if I remember correctly there is an exeption if the channel is less than 60 metres wide. Regardless, boaters are responsible for any damage caused by their wake. But, you have to be able to prove that they caused damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted September 12, 2015 Report Share Posted September 12, 2015 I took from the boater course that it was Zero wake on any shoreline. Posted or not. Erosion being the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Ranger Posted September 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Thanks for all the help. I know what I have to do now...and the kids having fun is great...I'm sure they don't even know what the deal is..it's the adults being irresponsible and wreckless, rude, inconsiderate and not giving a crap about anything..they're just wanting to 'stick-it' to me and the other property owners. They have a sense of entitlement I suppose, as they're paying for they're campsite spot. I wish I could post a photo here of the lake where it's happening, but I'm not sure how. Last year they had speed boat races up and down, doing figure eights all through this area and I wasn't able to go swimming once. Most of the people who own camps here don't even go on the lake anymore and we/they are the ones that really 'care' about it's health and well-being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Ranger Posted September 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenboater Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 what's the legality of putting out swim platforms/rafts ? if you have nav or warning lights on them, is that going to be fine with DOT or Nav Canada ? enough of those out there could slow them down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Potato gun territory there for sure!! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Don't get me started...a moron on a jet ski nearly killed my sister in law. We were towing her on a tube and a jetskier smacked right into her, knocked her out cold in the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Don't get me started...a moron on a jet ski nearly killed my sister in law. We were towing her on a tube and a jetskier smacked right into her, knocked her out cold in the water Those are the ones that need to have some sense beaten into them..3 times a day, 4 times on sundays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Ranger Posted September 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Oh my God, that is horrible! I hope she's ok! Were there any charges? I hope that idiot got nailed. What a terribly close call...I'm afraid this type of thing is going to happen sooner or later with the situation I have to deal with these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 We found out what campground they were staying in, but i was more concerned to get her in the boat and to a hospital. By the time the cops went to their campsite they were long gone. My sister-in-law regained conciousness and was fine (other than usual concussion symptoms - headache, vomiting etc) so it was not pursued any further. Thankfully no long term effects for her, but without a doubt the scariest moment of our lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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