Are light bars worth the money?

[r3612]

I'm thinking about getting a light bar for my ride. We do a lot more riding at dusk (most of the butter comes out from hiding then)so our session is usually cut by the sun diappearing behind the huge trees on our lake cause we have to drive like 20min back the the marina from where the butter is. Do light bars really help out that much so you can still ride in the dark? The problem we have is that we can't see the wake as riders, the driver can see ok so i think one light would be enough, could be wrong.

Proflight makes all teh stuff on our boat so I was thinking of going with their four light set. It has one pointing out front and 3 back. I've seen light bars with five and six as well. Is it worth the extra light for like 200 more?

I just have no experience with these things at all so any info would be much appreciated


Kris

[vdrive]

titan probably has the best lights out right now........ I have Boss 7 light bar..... it does light up the area behind the boat pretty good but they are not very good for driving purposes..... they create a big whgite wash out in front of you .....

[Nor*Cal]

Don't waste the money... Technically illegal after sunset and driving at night without lights is much easier than with lights.

[RYDOG]

I'm with nor-cal on that one. The only thing the light bars are good for is looking cool...

[r3612]

My lake has no riding restrictions or speed restrictions at night so I'm not worried bout that. We been on that lake since I've been born so I know it blindfolded.

I'm more concerned with the aspect of them working to allow you to still ride in the late evening hours.

Thanks for the info so far.

[Jay Dutton]

I've got two pairs of Walmart "driving lights" for $60. Like everybody said, you can't see well while driving and they do light up the wake a bit. I actually use mine quite a bit. I do a majority of my riding until dark, they help big time by lighting up the inside of the boat to clean/pack up and dock. They also come in handy when beach camping. Other than that there is no way I would spend $200 or more on a light bar. Some of the price are just crazy. Oh yeah, I think they look cool too.

[Slaytwebeling]

If you dnot have tower speakers yet get the combo from Gethighsports or boss they make some nice ones.

[salmon_tacos]

Just FYI r3612,

From the Illinois Boat Registration and Safety Act:

I. Water Skiing: When towing a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar device, the towing vessel must have a capacity of at least three persons and must be occupied by at least two competent people. It is unlawful to water ski from the period of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour prior to sunrise.

http://dnr.state.il.us/Watercraft/watercraftdigest.htm

P.S. All you people who like complaining when people post stuff about 'Da Law' (Anybody watch Da Ali G Show?) can go ahead. I don't give a ....

[SupremeWake]

Salmon has it right..... State law is state law unless you have your own private lake. Riding after dark is illegal......driving after dark without standard lights on is illegal. The whole idea of light bars for public use is beyond me.

[r3612]

I am johnny law Check out my profile. I know the consevation police very well on our lake and they don't come out after 7pm. I was introduced to them when the saw us wakeboarding for the first time on our lake 3 years ago. They thought it was the coolest thing the've seen.

We have been pretty much the only wakeboard boat out on a consistant basis until the end of last year on our lake. The police used to park and watch us ride. It's kinda funny seeing 4 cop boats just chillin watching us ride. We've been on our lake for generations. Unlike most lakes they only bother the peops that are boozin it up on their baja's and fountains trying to figure out who's di#$% are bigger.

Different lake have different rules. That's the disadvantage/advantage of being on private lakes. Though ours isn't.

I'm not trying to say I'm above the Law maybe I am, but there is one thing you guys are forgetting.

IT ONLY ILLEGAL IF YOU GET CAUGHT!!!

Kris

[SupremeWake]

You're right. You're situation with the CO's on your lake is very different than most.

"Different lake have different rules." I'm not sure what you meant by this comment. Unless it is a private lake (which you said it isn't) different lakes DON"T have different rules. State Law means that they have the SAME rules.

"but there is one thing you guys are forgetting. IT ONLY ILLEGAL IF YOU GET CAUGHT!!! " hmm...there is one thing you are forgetting. Most (not all) laws are made for a reason. Wakeboarding in the dark, with or without light bars, is stupid. You're lucky to live on such a quiet lake...but there is the idle speed rule after dark law for a reason. YOU CAN'T SEE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD AT WAKEBOARDING SPEEDS TO BE SAFE.

So, yeah...I guess I'm Johnny Law or whatever you say. Sorry man, I don't mean to be a d**k, but it's people like you who think that the laws don't pertain to them who make so many people hate wakeboarding on the lakes. They think we're all reckless and ignorant.

[r3612]

I dont want to start a war here, but if you read my original post it's not like were going to be riding at night when it's pitch black. Yes the state law did slip my mind. I apologize, but we never have to worry about it. Like I said the cops are way cool. We aren't that hard core. It's when the sun disappears behind the trees and you get the flat light.
My comment about being the law wasn't meant to be ignorant, but after reading it a second time it comes off kinda bad.

My personal opinion is that riding at night is pointless. (for us anyways) we'd rather be chillin by the fire. It's just that time right at the end, its that time when your working on a trick and you'll get it the next try and BAAM the wake and light just disappears.

B4

I don't know where you ride at but most every lake I 've been on private or not has different rules. Whether it's the no wake zone off the shore, The rotation you supposed to drive, speed limits, size restrictions. The lake where I do most of my riding on has no special rules. However the smaller lake next door, NOT PRIVATE has time resrictions for skiing and boarding as well as a jet ski clause. It was the town council that came up with this for the fisherman and skiers to get along.

I'm also in the coast gaurd auxilary and the size of the lake and capacity has much to do with the rules as well as whether it is accessable by other intercoastal waters. Another factor has to do with whether there is property (houses) on the lake (Which our lake has none.) and how much state funding they get just to name a few. There are many non private lakes with different rules trust me. You should not be so quick to open your mouth til you get the facts straight.

Just cause it's state law doesn't mean city's and counties have the exact same. Here's a prime example. STATE law says you can own a firearm as long as you have a valid FOID card. However City of Chicago Law says you can not own a handgun in the city unless you are the police. HMMM seems like state law isn't the same everywhere in the whole state. Same goes for Lakes Imagine that.

Kris

[PimpinD]

how can i find the laws to my lake?

[Ryan_m]

r3612, what lake do you ride on?

[r3612]

Mainly lake shelbyville in Cent. IL . Although at the end of the summer we did a ton of riding on the IL river in Morris. Shelbyville is a good place to ride on weekends cause there are som many litlle fingers you can always find butter. Also My sumer home is down there. Big screen and AC beats 100 in the camper anyday.



Kris

[SupremeWake]

Kris,

You just don't get it do you? State law is state law. The handgun law you mention in Chicago could easily be argued against and won without ever going to court. It is your Constitutional right to own a firearm. The police law you mention is meant to deter people who aren't interested in an argument and I'm sure it does that. But the state law is the state law. So don't tell me to get my facts straight. You get your facts straight Mr. Coast Guard.

If your boat is registered in the state if Illinois, you are bound by Illinois STATE laws unless you are on a private lake. If your boat is not registered you are also in violation. Simple as that.

I'm glad we agree that riding at night is stupid. I hear ya about getting that last run in as the sun sets, though I'm not sure it justifies a light bar.

Anyway, I don't wanna fight with you about it, but all cities and counties are in fact bound by state laws. There is a state law handbook for fishing/boating that you can pick up at any Wal-Mart sporting goods dept. True, individual lakes can have individual rules, but governing them ALL are the state regs.

good luck with your light bar.

[vdrive]

Lake rules are different than state lake laws...................... yes different lakes have different rules but all lakes abide by non tidal water state laws........

your only guilty if your caught anyway........ and if your a cop who cares...... geta Titan light bar or the Boss... I have a Boss 7 light....... it makes a world of difference when you are out a little late and still need to put your boat on trailer.....

[SupremeWake]

"your only guilty if your caught anyway" lol..... nice attitude....again, why so many people on the lakes hate us.

[vdrive]

I dont really care who likes me on the lake..................

how old are you B4?

[SupremeWake]

Not that it is any of your business, but I am 26. You should care, because there are several laws in many areas right now that are attempts to ban wakeboarding on certain lakes precisely because A** h***s like you "don't care" and have no respect for other people on the lake or for the laws that govern the use of the water your boat floats in.

How old are you vdrive? 13,14? You certainly have that rebelious teenager (your only guilty if caught) mentality. You must be proud of that. I'm guessing your one of those weekend warriors who drops your boat in for the day and doesn't give a crap about the lake itself, right? Some of us, who live on the lakes, know the laws and know that most of them are there for a good reason and have respect for the lake and have seen people killed in senseless boating accidents every summer because some hot-shot punk thinks the rules don't apply to him (unless he gets caught) ....or kills someone. It happens every summer. Get a clue vdrive.

If you have more to say feel free to email me directly. No use in wasting more space here with continued arguments about this.

I think we've established that state laws DO apply to all non-private lakes and that your boat is not permitted to travel faster than idle after sunset and must have standard lights. Light bars do not permit you to legally wakeboard after dark. Enough said. Email me if you have more questions.

[buckthis]

i know you can ride after the sun goes down when there is a full moon and i think it would be pretty cool as long as there isn't anyone else doing it!

[vdrive]

"not thats its any of your business, but " so from that comment I can see you are a chick..................
I am 28 going on 18 as my wife would say... Do live on the lake 600 feet of frontage actually...

I love how playing some loud music out of the tower(that people in the boat cant even hear) leads to killing someone..... The problem is idiots like you have to open there mouths and try to speak.......

maybe you should read my above post because you are an idiot and cant see that I agree with you about state laws........

whether I follow them is another story........
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Lake rules are different than state lake laws...................... yes different lakes have different rules but all lakes abide by non tidal water state laws........ "

[vdrive]

"buck this" are you crazy wit to B4 reads your post .....................

[SupremeWake]

"whether I follow them is another story........ " my point exactly. You are the idiot if you really think making a comment like that is intelligent in any way.

You're post makes zero sense and is irrelevant to my comments.

I'm glad that you agree with the laws. My problem is the fact that you bluntly state that you are not bound by them like the rest of us.

I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with you and I thought I told you to email me directly instead of wasting space here. So whats your problem?

I am not sure how you can decifer that I am a "chick" as your post reads. You are obviously quite intelligent and far above the law. Come on my lake and openly break laws, boast about it and endanger my family and I'll openly get in your face. Fool......

Email me if you want to continue this witty conversation. Or better yet call me and I'll give you the names of the 4 kids that have been killed in the past 3 summers in my area by reckless boaters. All of which are now serving life sentences by the way. So go on....email me something really intelligent now. Tell me again that the laws are below you. Try to think of something better to call me than "idiot" this time. Try to actually make a point with what you type, although name calling is just a hell of a lot easier for someone like you isn't it. I look forward to it.

lol....

[vdrive]

"I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with you and I thought I told you to email me directly instead of wasting space here. So whats your problem? "

Oh your not? keep writing I enjoy reading your comments you a$$....

[SupremeWake]

haha.....lol..... funny little man aren't ya. Wheres that email....? I'd love to talk to you. I've got that list of murdered kids right here. I wonder if you'd be so arogant speaking face to face with their parents. Wanna tell them that the laws don't necessary apply to you...and that you're only guilty if caught???? I can put you directly in touch with them. Is that still funny to you jerk-off?

[vdrive]

where is your email teacher?

[SupremeWake]

ibsindiana@hotmail.com

[vdrive]

now is that really your email...? if so why would you give a jerk-off your email?

[r3612]

B4, I prefer Officer Kris over Mr Coast Guard

You obviously have no clue because I've put many and I mean many people in jail for that same law. You obviously don't teach law or history. Maybe you teach handwriting or art class. Over the years hundreds of people have gone to jail for that same gun law. You should stay in you small town and teach that to those there and tell them to come meet me so they can get locked up. It's people like you that give me such great job security. IT"S AWESOME. I never have to worry about getting fired cause there will always be dumbasses to lock up. I mean really you're going to sit here and challange a five year veteran of the Chicago Police Department on Law. You don't even live here. That's why there is a state congress. They have a vote on what to pass as law in the state. There are pretty much three major lawmakers. The Fed Government, State government, and municpalities (city's). Each has there own power to a cetain extent.

Wait I got a great idea. You should come and defend them the criminals I locked up on that charge and get them out. Ya that's it. You could be the first person ever to do that. You'd be rich.

As to accidents on my lake. There has been only 2 in the last 35years on the water and both of those were due to alcohol.

Don't hate cause your lake sucks and has tons of rules that are enforced. Move to a different lake. I really don't care bout the propblems you guys have on your lake. That's why I don't ride there. I'd still let you ride by us, ah shi&^ it's a public lake so I have no choice, but if you want a nice relaxing day with no worries come on over. Wakeboarders are loved here. We are the talk at all the Marina's. It's the little lakes with people who ski and have a hundred houses on them with like 80 yr old people that have all the rules. "Our dock is going to wash away from those Damn Wakeboarders and their fat sacs. My boats getting trashed from all those waves bumping our boat into the dock!. Where's that loud music coming from damn punks. WAAAAAA Little do they realize that it's more often than not us mid to late 20 year olds having some great times on the water. Our lake is so big you don't have to worry about pissing anyone off unless you're a real jackass (tuber in the cove where everyone else is boarding) and have no clue. Ican assure you I'm one of the safest people on the water so don't even go there. People always hate what they don't have. I run into on a daily basis. It's a damn shame I tell you. DAAAMMMNNN SHAME!

How did this get so blown out of wack? It's kinda cool though. I'm always up for a challange. I'd never thought those law classes would come in handy that I took way back in H.S. guess it just goes to show you that you were taught that stuff for a reason.

Kris

[SupremeWake]

Ok Officer Kris......keep up the good work. A Constitutional right is a Constitutional right....and the last time I looked at the Good Old Constitution it guaranteed the right to own a firearm. Am I wrong? But I don't care about your handgun laws...you were the one that brought that into this conversation.

My point is simple and some people have taken it and brought other arguments to the table instead of dealing with mine: light bars are not worth the money in my opinion because boating after sunset is illegal. Period. Done. Thats it. There is nothing to argue with there. Its illegal whether you are caught or not.

Kris, wait until wakeboarding gets more & more popular on your lake and more jackasses like vdrive ignore the laws and people will start hating wakeboarders. Its happening on lots of lakes....not mine in particular (yet) but if we keep acting like the laws don't matter to us....its inevitable isn't it?


vdrive...yes, thats my email. IBS. Individualized Behavioral Solutions of Indiana...why would I give you a fake email? You asked for it and I gave it.

[r3612]

V-Drive

I love it.

People hate us cause we get professional courtesy more often than not, but it's just a perk of the job. But basically you sayin that it really does you no good on the water for riding purposes. Reason I ask is beacuse my truck has built in rear spots and putting on the trailer at night is no prob along with cleaning it out.

Kris

[r3612]

B4, No hard feelings at all, but I just want you to see that it is not that clear cut about the gun law. And that State laws are not the same. Yes they are the minimal standard but there are many varitions in many different parts of the state. That why you have a state government and a city government.

As for the original post. Evryone has their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to say whatever they want right? I never in a million years was expectingthis to brew. All I want to know is if light bars work.


Kris

[SupremeWake]

Kris...

"My lake has no riding restrictions or speed restrictions at night so I'm not worried bout that. "

--One of your original posts. I think its been stated by several people now that you are obviously unaware of the laws pertaining to your lake....So, why do you think you can then go boast about how well you know the law and how I can't argue with you about it because you've "locked up lots of people" and took some law classes in HS? lol....you're funny.

"IT ONLY ILLEGAL IF YOU GET CAUGHT!!! " ---another one of your intelligent quotes. Its nice to know that Chicago is being protected by such quality. Its only illegal if you get caught.... real nice.

anyway....I'm done here...this is like talking to a brick wall. thanks for the thoughts though. Good luck with the light bar Kris ....Go buy a real expensive one with big-ass lights. I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it.

[SupremeWake]

No problem Kris.... I just read your last post after before my last one. No hard feelings here at all. I realize that laws vary... However, city gov. cannot overturn state regulations from what I know.

....back to the original post....a light bar might get you an extra 15 min. of legal riding time. Worth it? Not to me... I guess I don't have that kind of extra money, being a teacher. Being a cop...you're probably in the same boat. Underpaid, over-worked and under appreciated.