What was your 4th of July Boating Outing

[HangOutdoors]

I Took the Admiral and kids out in LSC today and we went into the coves and did tubing, yeah the Super Mable HD 3 Person, hate it. For about 6 hours or so. Pulled them all over the place. Ran down my gas to my reserve limit so crossed Anchor Bay and got me some of that 89 octane Marine Fuel, WTF!!!!! 40-% more. I always fill on land, at least this year. The price is ridiculous, but everyone wanted to go tubing more and then swimming and then go down to see the Detroit Bridge and then go see the Fireworks, so I figured OK, I will just fill up so they can do all this.

Everyone was hungry so after the fuel dock on the River, we went up to Bumpers which is a pretty cool bar, Tiki bar and restaurant right on the water. Haven't been there before, but they had slips open so we went and had a great time.

Then food coma crept in and the kids now where done, one had her head down and was snoring at the table, and the others wanted to go home and take showers and have a cookout to make smores. I was like, I JUST FILLED THE TANK for you guys. Got a sorry from the youngest one, Hopped on the boat and deflated the Mable got to the launch and came home.

All in all a great day, just wish I didn't fill the tank on the water and get mugged. 94 degrees out and barely any wind made boating out there a joy.

Seeing a lot of Yamaha's all over the place, more than last year. But perhaps I am just looking for them more now.

 

[Shir9406]

I usually skip boating on July 4th.. just to many idiots on the lake for my taste… or just to busy.. was a nice day to go out though here in East Texas!

 

[drewkaree]

Wife got more than a bit sunburnt yesterday, my boating consisted of measuring some stuff and finishing rough templates for SeaDek, organizing and plotting out an Amazon order for a few boating items, and setting up a cut list for my SeaDek pieces.

Oh, and cooking ribs for the last 5 hours. At least there was a breeze today, so I only sweated half my ass off.

 

[ripler]

A total shit show by drunken idiots. We got out early and the kid surfed for a few hours then it got busy so we cruised around until for some reason people wanted to start playing chicken. We got swamped by a new Nautique who thought it was a good idea to wakesurf where there were a lot of boats. It was crowded so we backed off to no wake speed and the Nautique came right towards me and I had nowhere to go, the wife was in the bow when we took 2 big waves. After this we decided to call it a day. We came up to our marina and there was a boat full of 20 somethings trying to launch a old pontoon and they ended up beaching it and getting stuck. While we were waiting for that to clear out the Nautique that swamped us decided to show everyone on the dock how big his wave is as he passed by about 50 feet away with some one surfing. We made it home and my BIL called and someone at my marina went under the water and never came back up.

The only good thing that happen today was that I got to use the PA feature on my wetsounds EQ to yell at some idiot following too close behind while my daughter was surfing.

Today made me question why I still boat.

 

[WiskyDan]

Windy and hot (low 90’s) in Oshkosh this weekend so we had to read the tea leaves to find some calm water to tube and chill.

Yesterday we were on Lake Butte des Morts at Terrell Island which sheltered us a bit. We tubed a bit but it was rough so we pulled it in after about an hour. When we went to anchor I was surprised that much of the area was mucky and we ended up crossing a weedy area at slow speed which I knew was not going to be good. We found a small sandy area close to shore which saved the day and floated for 2-3 hours. On our way out I opened the throttles and the engines just cavitated. I opened the clean out ports and both were packed with weeds - took me about 20 minutes to clear them. Water was rough on the way back to the dock but the trim tabs performed admirably and the ride was relatively smooth.

We got a late start today and headed down to Streich’s cove and deployed the floaty mat for the first time. Kind of a pain in the balls to haul around but it was nice to have once we got it in the water. Headed back to the dock at 6:45pm and we’re now at Dockside Tavern on the Fox River getting a bite to eat. We want to stay for the fireworks and watch from the boat but we’re pretty wiped out.

 

[fatboyroy]

I was out early at the boat ramp before sunrise still half asleep trying to get some fishing time, there is long lines already with coast guard inspecting each boat before launch. I figured it will take me 1 hour at least to launch so I just went home and went back to bed lol.

 

[18AR240]

I generally stay off of the water during a holiday for all of the reasons listed above. However we did spend the last week in Cape San Blas so we got our water fix in.

 

[Crob83]

No boating, but a great view from a friend's lake house

 

[HangOutdoors]

Huh, Around here most people went up North so the Ramps and water were actually very decent and the crowds of people were less than an average Weekend. Surprisingly a fairly decent day to boat, I was surprised

 

[Neutron]

Yup usually stay away from boating on the 4th. Way too many idiots and drunks. Tempers are up also. Seen way to many arguments at the ramp on the 4th

 

[Acard7]

Been at Lake Red Rock all weekend. Water patrol was out as well all weekend obviously. It has an amazing 6 lane boat ramp near Elk Rock Campground, and prior to the ramp there’s two rigging lanes, so very nice and is as organized as a holiday weekend can be ?… But the sad part is…There’s one dock in the middle of the six lanes to try to load and offload. So it’s very shocking they haven’t put a nice dock with slips off to the side somewhere since this is a very large well known lake in Iowa. The ramp near the marina is the same way which is crazy.. Slips at the marina are $45 a night, I’m a cheap ass and said no thanks. My wife is a rockstar when it comes to backing the trailer tho so I’m very lucky there!

 

[Scuba_ref]

Spent most of the day at the end of the driveway wet sanding (on the 3000 grit course) and polishing to bring the shiny back to my black gel coat!

 

[suke]

I also generally try to avoid going out on the 4th, but my wife wanted to, so I wasn't going to argue. It was surprisingly tame. It was hands down the busiest I've ever seen the lake, but no one was being stupid, from what I could tell. There were some people that you could tell were newbs, and we just kept our distance. For instance if you're towing tubes and 10 mins from the closest ramp with your fenders still on........probably not the brightest bulb in the box. DNR was out in full force. Saw them at the last second as I was trying to figure out what this kid was doing in front of me in the no wake zone now completely blocking the bridge entrance. Apparently he was being motioned to stop by DNR. Then they come over and flail at me to move. I'm like calm down buddy I'm trying to get out of the way. You've now positioned yourself in between me and that other boat. So you've just made my maneuver more difficult in choppy water in a tight space in a no wake zone. They spent most of the day pulling over jet skis.

 

[Mesa50]

We went out yesterday, and ended up a boat full of recent college graduates. We invited two, and somehow five showed up. After listening to them pontificate for half the day, I can assure you that mankind is doomed.

 

[Sean R]

I Took the Admiral and kids out in LSC today and we went into the coves and did tubing, yeah the Super Mable HD 3 Person, hate it. For about 6 hours or so. Pulled them all over the place. Ran down my gas to my reserve limit so crossed Anchor Bay and got me some of that 89 octane Marine Fuel, WTF!!!!! 40-% more. I always fill on land, at least this year. The price is ridiculous, but everyone wanted to go tubing more and then swimming and then go down to see the Detroit Bridge and then go see the Fireworks, so I figured OK, I will just fill up so they can do all this.

Everyone was hungry so after the fuel dock on the River, we went up to Bumpers which is a pretty cool bar, Tiki bar and restaurant right on the water. Haven't been there before, but they had slips open so we went and had a great time.

Then food coma crept in and the kids now where done, one had her head down and was snoring at the table, and the others wanted to go home and take showers and have a cookout to make smores. I was like, I JUST FILLED THE TANK for you guys. Got a sorry from the youngest one, Hopped on the boat and deflated the Mable got to the launch and came home.

All in all a great day, just wish I didn't fill the tank on the water and get mugged. 94 degrees out and barely any wind made boating out there a joy.

Seeing a lot of Yamaha's all over the place, more than last year. But perhaps I am just looking for them more now.

Sounds like a great time and I agree, I hate Big Mable but a dads got to do what a dads got to do.

 

[haknslash]

I don’t get on the lake during the holidays. Too many crazies! That being said weather was absolutely amazing this weekend. Buddy of mine shot some drone footage of the boats and parade on the lake.

 

[Eriejetboater]

Went out in a buddy’s 25’ sailfish dual console. Pulled up to a beach (East Harbor) for about 3 hours, then came back. Cleaned up the boat. Grilled out and ate dinner, Lake Erie chop really died down, so I went for a jet ski ride on my 2011 VX Cruiser with a couple of 10 year olds. We were able to hit 54 MPH. Went out on my 252 SE with 5 people, (3 in the bow) and hit 44 MPH. Watched fireworks from the water. Wonderful day!

 

[2kwik4u]

We've never shyed away from the Holiday weekends. Just lean into the madness, keep your head on a swivel, and don't contribute to the stupid. Boy there's lots of stupid out there to dodge though.

Saturday we had a nephews birthday party to attend, then dinner with friends at camp, on the water at Patoka Lake in southern IN late at 7:30or so. Fireworks at 10, and then back to the ramp in the pitch dark. Ramp was surprisingly easy and not crowded. Most people were being sensible, and surprisingly patient with each other. Guessing the 20min we waited after fireworks were over helped thin the herd a bit. Had 4 adults, 2 kids and the dog on board.........if I was doing that on a regular basis, I would be ready for a bigger boat.

Spent yesterday on Rough River Lake in KY. It's a long thin lake with TONS of traffic. Launched, and proceeded to meet some friends and relatives in the popular no wake zone, way in the back. Spent all day floating and watching the crazyness. Friend showed up with his Waverunner. He took the 9yr old out a few times, which is probably the highlight of his boating year so far. After the cove thinned a little we headed for ice cream. Super glad I've got the L13 Cone to help with the mid range punch, lots of pontoons and tubers in the 20-25mph range. I had to hang back, wait for a clearing, punch it up to 40 get around them, then back down to 20-ish again to wait on the next person. Kids enjoyed it, but it was a little more stressful than I liked.

Luckily I didn't spend nearly the cash on fuel like @HangOutdoors did. I barely burnt through a 1/4 tank. I did hand my buddy with the Waverunner a $20 for driving the oldest around. He said it was to much, I think I shorted him. You guys know how boaters are

 

[BRosen]

Spent the day on Cave Run Lake. It was pretty crowded, but not crazy and dangerous. I felt OK. It seemed like there were a lot of boats out yesterday, but it also seemed like most of the boats were all tied up in coves and next to the shores; so the lake body and moving around wasn’t any worse than usual it seemed. Had my son and his friends with us. Good, fun day. Some swimming, eating, and (them) drinking. And my son’s friend got up on the wakeboard his second time trying it out! I’m trying to figure it out from the drivers perspective too, lol. Good day. Going back today with some of my fella friends..

 

[MajorBummer210]

Took the wife and kids out to Taylor Lake,TX. Brought along friends too. (They are now waiting on a 2022 AR195.) Got on water by 9:30. Got off by 1:00. Avoided the crazy. Tubing then swim mat chilling in a cove. Great start to the 4th.