Name:   Ulysses E. McGill - Subject:   Wake Board Boats Date:   8/5/2014 4:52:11 AM (updated 8/5/2014 4:53:39 AM)

I didn't joke about safety and I stand by what I said....maybe read it again and give it some thought. If you don't understand this now or at some point in the future, you will probably end up like one of the many that decides lake life isn't for them. I live here year around and there are only a few dozen days every year with heightened activity.... we may even live on the same slough because what you describe sounds a lot like where I live. Yes, the serious accidents we occasionally have are unfortunate and there are a few every year; some years we have a few fatalities they could probably be prevented (most are either at the rock or are after dark and involve drinking). As I said, we all can probably be more careful at times. But, when you look at the big picture, the safety record on Lake Martin is very good. To put it in perspective, there have been 6958 injuries and 293 fatalities on Alabama highways in 2014 at the time of this post....the number will likely be higher by the time you read this.

Safety and lake enjoyment IS largely a matter of  perspective. For instance, we typically chose to stay close to port or go find a private cove on the busy days. On week days we do things differently. Others mix it up on the busy days and seem to do fine. Do what you feel comfortable with and protect your own as you see fit; you really can't control others. This type of philosophy will go a long way in promoting your lake enjoyment.

If your sea wall is really getting damaged, it wasn't built correctly for the given conditions. Same with your pier. Your sea wall, dock, and property will get wave action with or without boats. Over the years, I've seen some storms that make wake boats look like childsplay. Yes, there will occasionaly be someone that comes closer than you wish to your dock, but it is a public lake and that is not "your water".  Plan accordingly. Education may help improve this, but it won't ever stop it..... and a "safe distance" is an arbitrary number given any number of contributing factors.