Hassled by the man.

[LouDoo]

Well, for the first time since I can remember maybe since I've been a teenager, I got stopped by the water cops. They were sitting at the end of the no wake zone. I'm not sure why they stopped me, maybe checking for current registration, he wanted to see my fire extinguisher, I can't even remember the last time I looked at it. He said O.K., and enjoy the rest of the day. Kinda got me thinking I'm never gonna use that fire extinguisher, as much as I love my ski's, if one ever catches fire I'm gonna jump off and swim as fast as I can. That's what insurance is for.

Lou

 

[chucked]

Wonder if thats legal to do checks without you doing something wrong. Had one (dnr cop) hassling me on land, I gave him a hard time and wouldnt let him see my stuff (everything was legal). Threatened to call the station and ask what's going on, or something, and he left me alone. He always eyes me up now, but good for me I'm anal about everything being right.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Wonder if thats legal to do checks without you doing something wrong. Had one (dnr cop) hassling me on land, I gave him a hard time and wouldnt let him see my stuff (everything was legal). Threatened to call the station and ask what's going on, or something, and he left me alone. He always eyes me up now, but good for me I'm anal about everything being right.

on water they have a lot more flexibility, i've been stopped for safety checks many times.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Well, for the first time since I can remember maybe since I've been a teenager, I got stopped by the water cops. They were sitting at the end of the no wake zone. I'm not sure why they stopped me, maybe checking for current registration, he wanted to see my fire extinguisher, I can't even remember the last time I looked at it. He said O.K., and enjoy the rest of the day. Kinda got me thinking I'm never gonna use that fire extinguisher, as much as I love my ski's, if one ever catches fire I'm gonna jump off and swim as fast as I can. That's what insurance is for.

Lou

In 23 years In the Coast Guard I have seen hundreds of fire extinguishers used on boats and only a single one on a jet ski.

I have seen about ten or so jet skis use their extinguishers on boats,,,

Like you, I have a PFD on and I will abandon the ski. Everything I own is insured for replacement value, not the value of the item. Less than 20 bucks a year difference and wort every penny.

 

[chucked]

Yea, I dont know about the laws for water. I know the DNR is the worse type of law enforcement to be involved with.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Chucked,

USCG can stop you at any time on any navigatible water way and any "special watery" as determined by the law established on the special water way.

DNR is a bit limited as compared to the USCG and local police are more limited as compared to the DNR.
The DNR and local PD's still have to fit within jurisdictions and where law permits their authority.

 

[richardpr]

at least here in puerto rico the coast guard, police, and the wildlife agents can stop you at any time without having done anything wrong. they also call it "courtesy checks" just to let you know if everything you have is up to date and whatnot. just another excuse to give tickets

 

[suke]

I grew up on the coast and my parents always had skis and boats. Pretty much EVERY time we went out on the ICW we got stopped for a "safety" check. Never once got a ticket. Even when something was "wrong". They were mainly checking to make sure I hadn't been drinking, which doesn't make sense since I was a teenager AND with my parents. lol

We did at one point get a written warning about something trivial.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I grew up on the coast and my parents always had skis and boats. Pretty much EVERY time we went out on the ICW we got stopped for a "safety" check. Never once got a ticket. Even when something was "wrong". They were mainly checking to make sure I hadn't been drinking, which doesn't make sense since I was a teenager AND with my parents. lol

We did at one point get a written warning about something trivial.

i've only had one ticket (no wake) and the guy was cool, he didn't ticket the two ski's that were following me. I think I went thru the no wake at about 57mph (didn't see the sign) so I deserved it lol. I've always been polite to the Poo Poo and in general they've always been polite to me, only was rude once, when we got pulled over twice in 10 minutes about 2 miles apart, and I got a little testy. besides that,, its yes sir, no sir, how are you today sir.

I also was about to get a ticket at the forum gathering in Orlando, I was impatient and went thru no wake zone at about 10mph... fortunately the other 11 ski's behind me were ideling along, so he let me go since my "friends" were behaving. (Thanks guys !)

 

[biffdotorg]

Being that we see the same Sheriff, Deputies, DNR etc on the water throughout the summer, we respect their checks and show them everything they want to see.

I also figure having a jet boat with a big yellow X on it, I don't need to be a prick. That's like telling them to watch for us each and every weekend. Now we just wave at them as they drive up, and they usually just pass us by. They are only doing their job. And I have to admit, it is actually pretty funny when they do pull up on the pontoon renters and ding them when they have way too many people on the boat, minimal jackets etc. We can just see them filling out the pad of tickets.

Respect the law in your area, and they will share that respect.

 

[LouDoo]

You know the more I think about it I think they were checking for drunks. They were just using the courtesy inspection as an excuse. I understand and agree completely, there's enough danger without a bunch of drunks out there. Our lake is owned by Kentucky Utilities and the whole lake is "dry" you can be ticketed with an open container even if you're not the driver, you can be ticketed just for having alcohol on the boat.

Lou

 

[Coastiejoe]

The COURTESY CHECK is an easy way to stop someone without offending them or accusing them....
It is a great tool as you really can't argue it. If they are doing a safety check it is a tuff sale in court saying that they were out of line....

 

[chucked]

Yea that makes sense, after I kept asking "did I do anything wrong" and such he probably got the idea I wasnt drunk.

 

[chucked]

And he did say "courtesy check" he said it was "free"

 

[skewba98z28]

You know the more I think about it I think they were checking for drunks. They were just using the courtesy inspection as an excuse. I understand and agree completely, there's enough danger without a bunch of drunks out there. Our lake is owned by Kentucky Utilities and the whole lake is "dry" you can be ticketed with an open container even if you're not the driver, you can be ticketed just for having alcohol on the boat.

Lou

Lou they were thick on Barren River Lake over the holiday also. They were just hanging out in the no wake zone at the State Park writing tickets and checking boats. I saw them out more over the 4 days I was there than all the other times i've been there combined. A group of 5 of us got stopped 100 yards from the no wake zone at the State Park 3 minutes after the official sundown. There was still plenty of daylight left! We got the usual where are you going? Where have you been? Last but not least how many have you had today? He let us all go thank goodness. In all the years i've been going there I have never seen so many people getting checked. I appreciate what those guys do, but the amount of people getting pulled over was insane. I'm always polite with them and I feel like that has got me off the hook a few times. There have been times I completely deserved the book thrown at me, but have been let off because I was polite and used the magic words "yes sir" and "no sir"

 

[lamajama]

I understand the need and appreciate them getting drunks off the water but "where are you going and where have you been"?

I'd be polite and answer but it's frankly none of their business where I was and where I'm going. Check me out etc but
the rest is a little invasive IMO.

 

[richardpr]

Where have you been and where are you going? I was at home this morning and im headed home now lol

 

[red2blue]

My engine and all fuel related combustibles are accessible under the seat. My fire extinguisher is in the front storage bin....accessible over the handle bars under front lid/dash. Which means...my ass and balls will be closest to any fire that erupts from my ski...should I, in the event of a fire, decide to go for that extinguisher.

Right.

Courtesy checks are bs....just like road checks. If they're lookin for drunks they shouldn't be able to write you up for a $125 ticket because your fire extinguisher lost it's lil red button...and is now technically out of service.

Word of warning....make sure all reg numbers are visible from 100+yds.

 

[LouDoo]

I went back to the lake this weekend, I saw the same water cop, he waved and was very friendly.

Lou

 

[lamajama]

I went back to the lake this weekend, I saw the same water cop, he waved and was very friendly.

Lou

Was he waving at you or your co-rider pictured in your avatar? :thumbsup:

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Im sure he was waving to Lou...

He probably wouldnt have had enough blood in his arms to wave at lou's co rider if ya know what I mean...

 

[Coastiejoe]

I understand the need and appreciate them getting drunks off the water but "where are you going and where have you been"?

I'd be polite and answer but it's frankly none of their business where I was and where I'm going. Check me out etc but
the rest is a little invasive IMO.

That is the "road cop" coming through. That is nothing more than a way to help them determine your condition and helps to see if you are up being upfront and honest.

The CG really does not do this approach as they are pulling you over for a safety check or pulling you over for something you did wrong. In either case, they will tell you the reason why as they don't need to open the door if you will.

 

[skewba98z28]

Yeah apparently the guy who stopped us is a state police wanna be who can't make it. According to somebody at the courthouse my buddy knows 60% of the tickets this dude writes gets thrown out in court. Nobody likes him.

 

[Coastiejoe]

My engine and all fuel related combustibles are accessible under the seat. My fire extinguisher is in the front storage bin....accessible over the handle bars under front lid/dash. Which means...my ass and balls will be closest to any fire that erupts from my ski...should I, in the event of a fire, decide to go for that extinguisher.

Right.

Courtesy checks are bs....just like road checks. If they're lookin for drunks they shouldn't be able to write you up for a $125 ticket because your fire extinguisher lost it's lil red button...and is now technically out of service.

Word of warning....make sure all reg numbers are visible from 100+yds.

Few people on skis EVER use their fire extinguisher on their own ski...

I have seen them used on others skis and boats.

Unfortunately we fall into a "boat" category due to the closed engine compartment. Officially I understand the why behind it, but in reality it isn't realistic.

 

[Hghgrad]

We have the same guys out checking pretty much every time. One time they asked if I had my registrations and boaters safety certs while we were Getting ready to launch. Of course i have all necessary documentation.

Other than that, they never stop us... Mostly because I have my kid with me and she waves at them. We have talked to them a few times while they were launching and we were waiting, Ect.