Wisconsin Mirror Law

[srock]

No doubt an attentive qualified driver is the best safety device. I would say that a single attentive driver is way safer than having people in the boat who ultimately are a distraction. I wonder why nobody mentions multiple riders at a time as being unsafe on busy lakes....like 4 kids on a tube with a boat full of people.

[vanhanbr]

No doubt an attentive qualified driver is the best safety device. I would say that a single attentive driver is way safer than having people in the boat who ultimately are a distraction. I wonder why nobody mentions multiple riders at a time as being unsafe on busy lakes....like 4 kids on a tube with a boat full of people.

Like this?

[laynewest]

As someone who boats in Madison, WI I am very "Pro" mirror law. I like go out on weeknights to avoid the weekend traffic. For me and my wife to go do a couple of sets alone would be awesome. Finding reliable spotters is hard sometimes... oh well guess I will have to have kids.

[Nautiquehunter]

We used to go to Lake Geneva for the September Triathlon and some boating in the afternoon. The last time 2014 it was cold and after paying the 25.00 launch fee we were the ONLY boat on the water. I got flagged down from shore by the lake patrol . They informed me I was making a wake [7mph] in the no wake zone. I explained I was well beyond the 200 foot to shore line. That's when they told me on Geneva its 400 feet to shore. I asked how was I supposed to know they doubled the distance . They told me they normally have no wake buoys out but it was so late in the season they had brought them in already. Of course they gave me a 85 dollar ticket . We never returned for the Triathlon again. As it turned our we moved to Georgia in 2010[ No spotters needed here ]. I am so used to the low cost low restriction of the south I doubt I will ever go north again

[srock]

My parents are on Geneva. That lake is such a mess on weekends with inexperienced boaters it's just no fun for watersports. I barefooted half the lake one afternoon. It was an October weekday, cold with a slight drizzle. If not for that I would not have done it. The water patrol if probably a necessity but the amount of hassle they provide is not and a ticket to boot in your situation is bs.

[srock]

Like this?

I get the point but in thr photo everyone is seated, every person is wearing a life jacket and the lake looks calm/deserted. The only problem is the obstruction of the drivers view and pulling tubes from an extended plyon.

I am not going to argue this one because in college we used to same double tube-double person setup, wore barefoot suits and played knockoff for the bar tab.

[swc5150]

Of course they gave me a 85 dollar ticket.

WI wardens have historically been that way. When I was kid, I got a ticket for no paddle in our family boat. The warden went tore the boat apart trying to find a law I violated, before deciding on a lack of canoe paddle. When asking him why I needed a paddle in a boat with an engine, he scolded me pretty hardcore. Fortunately, this happened at our dock, so I ran up to the house to get my Mom, who was a DNR boat safety instructor. She was quick to point out to the warden that there is no such paddle law in WI! He was forced to tear up the ticket on the spot.

[vanhanbr]

I get the point but in thr photo everyone is seated, every person is wearing a life jacket and the lake looks calm/deserted. The only problem is the obstruction of the drivers view and pulling tubes from an extended plyon.

They are also way over capacity with 10 in the boat and 4 tubers.

[srock]

Have you every tried to use a paddle in anything other than a very small boat. Unless they are long and you have a pair and a short distance to cover, they are they are just about useless.

[swc5150]

Have you every tried to use a paddle in anything other than a very small boat. Unless they are long and you have a pair and a short distance to cover, they are they are just about useless.

Agreed, USELESS!

[Nautiquehunter]

According to the coast guard auxiliary a ski can be used for a paddle . I know it works don't ask why.

[srock]

According to the coast guard auxiliary a ski can be used for a paddle . I know it works don't ask why.

Funny you mention that, Once stranded about 500 feet from the house I switched from paddle to skis because they worked much better than the shorty paddle, then I switched to 3 guys kicking in the back and 1 pulling from the front. That worked the best.

[MustGoFast]

Below is the response I got from my Assembly Rep's office yesterday as to the status of the bill currently in committee. I haven't seen anything about the restrictions mentioned here a couple days ago.

I also spoke with Rep Jarchow who is a sponsor in the assembly and he expressed optimism of it being passed this fall.

Chuck,

I spoke with the Committee Clerk for Environment and Forestry, from Rep. Mursau’s office, and it seems that there were some concerns raised with the bill by some legislators regarding local ordinances that may be affected. The Chair of the Committee is working to address their concerns through amendments. They are still planning to have a vote on it, but they want to make sure that it is as good a bill as they can make it. I will keep you up to date as I hear anything more on this legislation.

Thanks again for contacting Rep. Neylon’s office.

Best,

Dillon McGee
Office of Rep. Adam Neylon

[MustGoFast]

Below is the response I got from my Assembly Rep's office yesterday as to the status of the bill currently in committee. I haven't seen anything about the restrictions mentioned here a couple days ago.

I also spoke with Rep Jarchow who is a sponsor in the assembly and he expressed optimism of it being passed this fall.

Chuck,

I spoke with the Committee Clerk for Environment and Forestry, from Rep. Mursau’s office, and it seems that there were some concerns raised with the bill by some legislators regarding local ordinances that may be affected. The Chair of the Committee is working to address their concerns through amendments. They are still planning to have a vote on it, but they want to make sure that it is as good a bill as they can make it. I will keep you up to date as I hear anything more on this legislation.

Thanks again for contacting Rep. Neylon’s office.

Best,

Dillon McGee
Office of Rep. Adam Neylon

Basically make some noise with your reps and maybe we'll finally fix this stupid system!

[rcsmith727]

Passing this law sets a great precedence based on facts, not emotions, for other states to follow. Hope Colorado takes note of it, but I doubt that will ever happen. Towing between sunset & sunrise is prohibited in CO as well.