www.iFourWinns.com

Wow, that would be annoying getting stopped everytime you head home !!
It's a little different down here in Aus, I have been boarded a few times (sometimes 40 nm offshore) but usually by fisheries checking my fridges (for undersized fish), jackets and safety gear - but never breath tested.

I follow a simple rule myself, no drinks until anchor - then only one per hour while at anchor - unless of course we are staying overnight then its game on !!!

Cheers
Brett
Stuffed 2004 Vista 328.

Well, I guess I'll jump in too ....

I agree that the random stops are frustrating, but if you have it all together, they are generally polite and fairly painless (except for a full inspection , to include your engine compartment, which on a smaller Vista is a PITA). ..... anyway ......

I dunno ... I do not drink, while I'm driving the boat. Too much responsibility at hand. While I really would enjoy one of those Magic Hat Wackos .... http://www.magichat.net/ .... I think that my resposibility to those on board, and my investment, is a clear mind.

Of course......... I'm a "three beers and I'm toast", type.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I heard of something to the OP's story happening on my home lake last weekend. Ridiculous, but I understand why.

In Missouri, as I'm sure is the case in most (if not all) states, you have consented to a sobriety test when you operate a motorized watercraft. It is part of the thing you sign when you get your registration or renewal.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Very interesting topic; here in SW Florida we have the coast guard, homeland security, county and city marine patrols and FWC on the water all at the same time. I personally have never been bothered and like the fact that they are out there picking off the idiots that can kill or harm any of our families.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

i lived in Florida for many years and SW Florida Dave experiences what we should all experience. Picking off the idiots!

If you have had too many to get in trouble, then you have had way too many. Why even take the chance? Plus your line of "its what we do here" is sad. Get a hobby...gee...maybe boating.

I love the excuse I hear all the time in my courtroom "I only had a few and can drive just as well with or without alcohol". Please, are you really that stupid? Remember, one day you will get caught and end up in front of a guy like me. Putting others in danger is not taken lightly and could screw up your entire life. Loss of license, job, higher insurance rates, jail time, etc.

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2005 Silverton 50C
2009 Four Winns 200SS

Yes mommy! People not from Wisconsin just don't understand I guess. Its like a national past time in Wisc. to drink when doing everything. I guess when you grow up here and are used to it it doesn't seem like a bog deal to us. A lot of people I know can polish off a 12 pack like its nothing and act totally normal. I know in other states this would put people on the floor. I grew up in Milwaukee and lets just say you wouldn't understand unless you did to. You tend to build a tolerance after so many years. Last bacherlor party i went to my good buddy who is a cop brought along his breath machine thingy and we all blew at the end of the night after drinking heavy for 12 hours and I still only blew a .07 as did most people with me. .08 is the limit here in Wisconsin by the way. I am a big boy and know when I have had enough.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

We are stopped 2 weeks ago for the 1st time in 12 years. They were Corp of Engineer officers & very polite. Asked for safety vests, fire extinguisher & demonstrate working horn. To me it was kind of a relief to think that it might make people think before doing something stupid.

If we bring beer on the boat I might have 1 or 2 tops but that is it. To me there is a time & place for everything & while operating the boat it is time for safety of my passengers.

As long as the court system in Wisconsin feels the same way, then you are in good shape. If not, then knock on wood after that boast because you will need it. BTW, thanks for starting this thread because it will make me second guess my drinking while boating.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Unfortunately this is not always the case. Don't get me wrong a good portion of them down here are trying to pick off the idiots. However I did have 2 stops. The first one in the channel 100 yards from the dock. His reasoning "you can't have anyone on the bow". My brother was removing the dock line as we were idling out. Just happened to be I had 3 girls in bikinis that he couldn't seem to take his eye off. Asked for registration and let us go.

Another time just a random check of all the safety equipment. I have my boat certified every year by the coast guard auxiliary in hopes to avoid this but the abusive officer I inherited that day did not care and insisted on showing me who is boss. I did allow him to conduct the check and did not allow him to ruin my day. The next day his CO received a letter of complaint from me.

I for one believe they have way too much power. The ability to stop someone without cause is giving up your liberty something many others before us gave their life for to have and defend.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Just out of pure curiosity (and this is a good thread) I called our local Sherriff's office and spoke to the patrolling supervisor for our Lake (Lake Norman).

He stated "technically" any marine law enforcement agency can legally stop any vessel on the water for a safety inspection and/or registration check (boat, fishing, etc). Period. It's been tested in courts and the courts uphold the law. If during the safety inspection the officer notices anything suspicious, out of order or awry then the safety inspection easily segues into a routine stop.

With that said, the supervisor says he practices and preaches to his crew to not pull over people having fun just for the heck of it. He appreciates the right to assemble and the fourth ammendment.

So, going back to what I said before:
1) Be respectful of your guests, your boat, fellow boaters and your waterway.
2) Be courteous to law enforcement and fellow boaters
3) Be cognizant of boat traffic, weather and water conditions, rules of the road, and the wake you're throwing
4) Be safe and, if you're the captain, be more safe and watch your alcohol intake (and as the guy correctly says from WI, we each have our own tolerance levels regardless of the legailities).

Don't be a reckless idiot and your chances of getting pulled over are slim.

I'm 280 lbs and can drink a 12 pack of Milwaukee's Best Light over 5 hours and still be in control and level-headed.

If everyone just followed those 4 simple common sense rules our boating experiences would be so much better!!

I've been boating for 30 years and each weekend never ceases to amaze me of the stupidity people possess.

_________________
Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

"Don't stand so close to me"

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

Was up at one of our local lakes Sunday and there was not a cop to be found, unfortunately. There was an idiot pulling a tuber 30 feet from the dock, which has to be at least 200 feet in Oregon. He buzzed the shore right as another boat was pulling away from the dock. The first boat cranked his boat hard and missed the boat, but slammed his tuber into the other boat. The tuber survived luckily. this is why I don't drink while I am on the water. To many idiots. I have no problem with others who have a little, but keep your boat safely away from me.

Enjoy your beer safely.

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Todd
1988 Four Winns Horizon 200
AKA "Summer School"