Island Lake - PWT 2008 - no ballast boats allowed

tcmercil · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 13 City: St. Paul, MN

So - I brought my X1 to the lake today by myself - just to get her warmed up, as it was the first day out of storage, and since I didn't want to bother other people at all, I went over to Island Lake in Shoreview, MN.

Island Lake hosted the PWT for the last 3 years... and today I noticed a pretty crappy sign at the launch.

"No Ballast Boats Allowed"

really? Since when does the DNR have limits - or rights to limit ballast boats?

So - the question is - has anyone else seen this - or can they do this? It is late Friday, - and come Tuesday I'll be calling the Department of Natural Resources for the State of Minnesota and asking them if this is legit?

Thoughts/ideas/comments?

get_sum · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond

yeah.. Fuc k em'.. Fill it UP!! Then if you see a cop, flip the switch and empty it. Then they can't prove you had it full to begin with.

holdsworth · Posted: May 22, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

get_sum, they can't prove you had it full to begin with? You high? They can prove it by stopping him and flipping the switches. Or if he tries to "hide" it they will see it pouring out the sides. Wow.

tcmercil, that does sound pretty crappy man. If the sign is in an easy-to-miss spot just act like you didn't see it and they will let you off the hook. Hopefully they don't catch you for a while if you do that.

JeffreyCH · Posted: May 22, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject:

Thats stupid, why the hell would they do that.

savage3221 · Posted: May 22, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

holdsworth, X1s don't do it, but my boat empties out the bottom, so they would never be able to prove it Twisted Evil

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

That does suck. If they do that on my lake I am goign to toss a major fit. Seriously, we have 30' crusiers out on our lake that throw out a wake size I am jealous of.... even if its not smooth and rideable, but what they are tryign to prevent will be caused by those larger boats without ballast.

get_sum · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond

HHI Dave · Posted: May 23, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

Sign says "No ballast boats allowed" not "No ballast allowed" so it sounds to me like if your boat has ballast tanks/sacs its prohibited whether you fill them or not. Neutral

tcmercil · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 13 City: St. Paul, MN

Actually - the sign says....

No Bladder Boats allowed....

Ballast - Bladder - what ever - - either way it's a bit crappy.... I'm not too worried about the lake as if anyone has seen Island Lake before, it's a super small lake - around 35 acres.... just enough for the PWT to do their thing..... or local INT tournaments - - but again - - -

We had the sheriff called on us last summer when we were surfing behind my friends Malibu - some lady on her dock was taking photos of us... so we waived... 15 minutes later the sheriff came and talked to us... he said we weren't doing anything illegal.... and didn't do anything to us - - just said - have a good day - -

Being that the sign says... Bladder Boats - I'm still thinking it's a home owner.... so - option 1 is to head to the lake for an afternoon - take my "bladder" bags out and just cruise around this ladies dock... when the sheriff comes - - fantastic.... check my boat all you want....

I have an email out to the Minnesota DNR right now, asking what their explanation of a "Bladder Boat" is....

get_sum · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond

Minnesota.. land of 10,000 lakes... I bet you can go to another one pretty easily as well...

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

1. Confirm the sign was actually from the DNR or State of MN, was there some sort of seal or emblem that could confirm it.
2. When you talk to the authorities, have them show you specific language in the law that defines what a ballast is? Most likely, it will be vague and you could include live wells into that definition. Get the fisherman on your side if so.
3. Get Sum all Lake Officers will have binoculars, most likely if you are going to empty a ballast, they will catch you if they can see you.