wakeboarding damaging beach?

supraboarder03 · Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 29 City: omaha

The lake I live on may constitute a ban on wakeboard boats if they can pinpoint the beach erosion problem on wakeboarding. I would like to know if anyone has any documented information on how different types of boats, ie inboard, v-drive, i/o etc... effect the beach with their rollers. The lake I live on has an average depth of 6-7 feet and hardly any seawall. Any information as to how the wake shapes or boat drafts affect the lake structure would be appreciated.

Damon · Posted: Oct 05, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject:

Thats pretty much BS because almost any boat can make a wake the same size as a stock wake boat.

There have been a few discussions in the past. You might want to try and find them. I don't know if they have any documented proof though.

Jensen · Posted: Oct 05, 2005 8:13 pm Post subject:

ya, i just moved from a private lake and couldn't stand the lake rules. for one they wouldn't let my malibu on because it had ballast which it prohibits, and then they have quiet time from 6 at night to 12 the next day. complete bs. finally decided to leave

msimpson · Posted: Oct 06, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:

It is not the type of boat...............it is how the boat is driven. All boats can make big wakes. We just went through this at my lake. How did they prove it was wakeboard boats?

pants · Newbie Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 32 City: England, UK

Check this link out:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/windermere/inquiry/

You'll have to scroll down to the conclusions part at the botom (Chapter 9.91) and click on the wash link, but here's what it says:

"Although the point was made by a few, there was no significant evidence that wash from fast power boats causes significant erosion around the shoreline of the Lake, and the NPA certainly did not pursue such an argument. It seems more likely that such erosion as there is is caused by natural wind-driven waves in winter when the lake level tends to be higher."

They still put a 10mph ban on Englands largest lake, 12 miles long, and we lost the last public lake in the country to ride on.

f it helps, work with the authorities, not against them.

Good luck! Rolling Eyes

J_DOGG · Posted: Oct 06, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

supraboarder03, First off make sure they have an independent study!

Meaning the guy or lady complaining has no say in how the study is done and the results gathered. Who is Paying for the study? again make sure it's an independent like the town or state.

That would put you on a even playing field, it's been dealt with many times they will never be able to prove one boat makes a bigger wake than another. It is how they are driven, I could put a Bayliner on step and create a wake bigger than what my Team Edition produces.

Make them grasp for straws by making the study as Independent as you can!

These are the reasons people need to form a lake association, so your voice can be heard! This issue is only going to get worse as attrition happens, when the ski guys get old and can't get out anymore they will divert their free time to making sure you don't have a good time. They are already starting on my lake but guess what I one upped them, I formed a lake association right under their nose and made sure the grandfather clause was in place. Meaning sure 10 years from now you can vote again and try to ban XYZ boat, good luck! but guess what, the ones that are already here get to stay! so it would be a futile effort to say the least.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

There is a lot of data on wave action and erosion. Even in the most congested harbor areas, boat and ship induced wave energy is only about 5% of the total wave action. That means that 95% is natural. While it may be valid to point out that a larger wake will go further up the beach than a smaller wave, the amount of total energy is negligible. If you have a sub average shoreline, then boat induced erosion can make a difference, but the difference between the boats will be negligible. The shoreline will try to get to a 10:1 slope for most sand types.

Look at Army Corps of Engineers data on wave action and erosion. You will have to extrapolate because none of it was to study wakeboarding, but the data is out there to make the point.

In case you missed it, the point is: Wakeboard boats can only acellerate the erosion in poorly executed shoreline, not the size or extent of the potential damage. The rate of acellation is based upon the level of normal wave action experienced on that shoreline. If it is a very wind protected shoreline on a very small body of water, then the action will be pronounced. If the body of water is larger and not as wind protected, then the effect of the boats will be undectable even over extended periods of time.

FYI - former USCG officer and worked extensively with the ACOE on dredging projects in harbors and river systems.

Bambamski · Posted: Oct 06, 2005 5:27 pm Post subject:

I would think a windy day would cause more waves and damage than any boat ever could.

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

Good Post Board it Up. You deserve a STAR!