TPW Tickets at Plowman

[Cookieman]

It's all in how they want to enforce the law. I know a few years back I went to a NTJBC event on Lake Texoma and I was stopped by lake patrol. They stuck a broom stick up my headers and told me I didn't have baffles. They said I was too loud. I told them let me take the baffles out and I will show you loud.Ii didn't get a ticket , but I thought I was.

 

[overbored]

Looking back it seems all I did from the time I launched my boat was avoid tickets. The old ranger that didn't like my trailer tire being 4 inches out of place for his interpretation of the rules or the game wardens just waiting for me to take my boat ot of the water- I just simply don't enjoy talking to those people. I got two of those cards made up and made a mounting plate on the back of the bench seat to make sure it doesn't leave the boat. Our game warden at Lavon saw it and has never ask to see it as a result. Guess he figures I will just hand him the seat but thats exactly what I would do. My seat is made to come out of the boat in the event I want a chair and don't have one. Jason is right- they were trying to say racing is illegal but at the most they should be worried about reckless boating.

 

[sdba069]

I'VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THINGS MOST OF YOU GUYS WOULDN'T EVEN BELIEVE AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO LIVE THIS LONG. NEVER SAID THAT I WASN'T GUILTY OF ACTING A FOOL DOWN THERE, BUT I DID GET AWAY WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME. NO TICKETS OR WARNINGS.  BEEN PERFORMANCE BOATING FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A TICKET AND ONLY A COUPLE OF WARNINGS. I'VE TRIED TO DO THE MAJORITY OF MY RACING AT SANCTIONED EVENTS. THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR HAVING A RESCUE CREW ON SITE, JUST IN CASE. BACK TO THE WARDEN AND BROOMSTICK DEAL. A LOT OF THEM DON'T ACTUALLY FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS OF A LOT OF THE LAWS COVERING THE TYPES OF BOATS THAT A LOT OF US RUN. AS FAR AS TEXAS STATE LAW IS CONCERNED, I DON'T RECALL EXACT WORDING, BUT MUFFLERS ARE REQUIRED IN MOST OVER TRANSOM EXHAUSTS AND WATER DOES NOT COUNT. I HAVE RUN INTO WARDENS THAT THOUGHT WATER IN THE HEADERS SERVED AS A MUFFLER AND I DIDN'T TELL THEM ANY DIFFERENT, BUT THAT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT THE CASE. I BELIEVE THE WORDING IS MECHANICAL SOUND DEADENING DEVICE. THE TRUE PURPOSE OF WATER IN THE EXHAUST IS FOR SPARK PREVENTION.

 

[blazeracer]

Reckless operation. That's the term I was looking for. It says nothing about side by side racing specifically, but it is very open to interpretation for the law enforcement officer.

http://www.boat-ed.com/tx/course/p4-4_recklessoperation.htm

 

[Patchman]

So hows the weather today? :smile29:

 

[blazeracer]

Directly from the Texas Water Safety Act, the body contains the official boating regulations for the state of Texas..

It is UNLAWFUL for any person to:
1. Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

2. Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.

3. Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.

4. Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.

5. Anchor in the traveled portion of a river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.

6. Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.

7. Operate within a designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.

8. Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.

9. Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). 1st conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; 2nd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; 3rd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
**Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver’s license.

10. Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)

THAT'S IT, THE OFFICIAL WRITING ON THE SUBJECT OF BOAT OPERATION.

http://www.labellavistadellago.com/documents/17-298-TPWD_WaterSafetyDigest.pdf

It's outdated by a year but I'm sure the only changes on the new one have to do with birthdates where applicable.

 

[Last Mohecian]

Directly from the Texas Water Safety Act, the body contains the official boating regulations for the state of Texas..

It is UNLAWFUL for any person to:
1. Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

2. Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.

3. Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.

4. Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.

5. Anchor in the traveled portion of a river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.

6. Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.

7. Operate within a designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.

8. Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.

9. Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). 1st conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; 2nd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; 3rd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
**Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver’s license.

10. Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)

THAT'S IT, THE OFFICIAL WRITING ON THE SUBJECT OF BOAT OPERATION.

http://www.labellavistadellago.com/documents/17-298-TPWD_WaterSafetyDigest.pdf

It's outdated by a year but I'm sure the only changes on the new one have to do with birthdates where applicable.

While those are state laws I believe there can also be local laws.  I can't remember where I read it but on some of our local lakes it's 50' on plane others it is 100'.  There may very well be other local regulations that come into play regarding noise, speed and any other local regulation they want to impose.

 

[NotImportant-1]

Directly from the Texas Water Safety Act, the body contains the official boating regulations for the state of Texas..

It is UNLAWFUL for any person to:
1. Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.This is the problem. This is another grey area that is totally up to the individual game wardens interpretation of conditions and what's unsafe speed.

2. Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.Jet boaters beware. I've seen this one enforced by game wardens. Put the roost up with other boats or jet ski's around they can write you up under this one. Don't ask me how I know

3. Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.

4. Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.

5. Anchor in the traveled portion of a river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.

6. Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.

7. Operate within a designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.

8. Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.

9. Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). 1st conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; 2nd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; 3rd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
**Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver’s license.

10. Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property.This one was explained to me one time that the speed can be a danger to yourself. Another grey area. Again don't ask me how I know (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)

THAT'S IT, THE OFFICIAL WRITING ON THE SUBJECT OF BOAT OPERATION.

http://www.labellavistadellago.com/documents/17-298-TPWD_WaterSafetyDigest.pdf

It's outdated by a year but I'm sure the only changes on the new one have to do with birthdates where applicable.

Just some food for thought on how different Wardens look at these regs.

Esa

 

[TintMan]

Bottom line is we're adults and if i were to get a ticket for whatever I'd pay it myself .Thats the risk everyone takes and we all know it. I just think there's been enough preachin about obeying the rules. I mean come on...some didnt have mufflers...some forgot their paperwork.Its not like we were rapin and piligin the park! I had all my paperwork and safety equipment on board-be it my mufflers were in the back of my truck! :smile26: I was prepared to put them in-but seeing several sets of zoomies i figured i'd take the chance. Again-had i got ticketed-i'd write the check.period. The only tragedy i see here is Jimmys unfortunate accident. I'll buy a CD and  donate to the sponsors.I never made it up to the park or cookout but it was a good time. Peace!  :smile17:

 

[blazeracer]

There was a cookout??

 

[Devilman]

Bottom line is we're adults and if i were to get a ticket for whatever I'd pay it myself .Thats the risk everyone takes and we all know it. I just think there's been enough preachin about obeying the rules. I mean come on...some didnt have mufflers...some forgot their paperwork.Its not like we were rapin and piligin the park! I had all my paperwork and safety equipment on board-be it my mufflers were in the back of my truck! :smile26: I was prepared to put them in-but seeing several sets of zoomies i figured i'd take the chance. Again-had i got ticketed-i'd write the check.period. The only tragedy i see here is Jimmys unfortunate accident. I'll buy a CD and  donate to the sponsors.I never made it up to the park or cookout but it was a good time. Peace!  :smile17:

Facts & logic have no place on the internet....  Everybody knows that, what are you, new? :grin:

 

[Last Mohecian]

There was a cookout??

Yep.  Lunch on Saturday.  We missed it too.  Lost track of time.

 

[WFO]

Bottom line is we're adults and if i were to get a ticket for whatever I'd pay it myself .Thats the risk everyone takes and we all know it. I just think there's been enough preachin about obeying the rules. I mean come on...some didnt have mufflers...some forgot their paperwork.Its not like we were rapin and piligin the park! I had all my paperwork and safety equipment on board-be it my mufflers were in the back of my truck! :smile26: I was prepared to put them in-but seeing several sets of zoomies i figured i'd take the chance. Again-had i got ticketed-i'd write the check.period. The only tragedy i see here is Jimmys unfortunate accident. I'll buy a CD and  donate to the sponsors.I never made it up to the park or cookout but it was a good time. Peace!  :smile17:

Well said Tintman. Enough talk.

 

[hellnback]

hehe I didn't miss burgers and dogs! I idled up there and tried to flag a few others up there as well but most were to busy yakkin!

 

[Last Mohecian]

hehe I didn't miss burgers and dogs! I idled up there and tried to flag a few others up there as well but most were to busy yakkin!

Ohhhh.  That is when you came by.  I remember that.

 

[hellnback]

YEP that was the time !

SAEJ34 noise test
sound level meter be located at a precise distance from a measured course through which a boat is travelling at maximum speed, requiring extreme skill and care on the part of the boat operator. Locating an acceptable test site to perform these high speed tests is a problem often encountered by enforcement officers when utilizing pass-by sound level measurements.
SAE J2005 92 dB noise test; Lake Lewisville TPW guy said "WHAT?" when I asked him to describe the procedure for this test. He said " If it sounds loud to me they get a ticket " ok well what if he's like a BAT or something.

Oh and some thing else;

Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft, waterskiing, or other high speed activity.
See ya can plainly see that high speed IS approved since the PFD's are NOT.
anyway I'm just bored....

 

[sdba069]

Just FYI...... The $1000 chute jackets that we wear in the race boats are not legal PFD's. You can get a ticket for no life jacket with one of those. One of the warnings that I got was for that. It has to have a USCG tag on it.