Michigan Water Noise

[x2boarder]

Does anyone know if there are laws about noise pollution on inland Michigan lakes? The police are patrolling every night waiting for us to get crazy with the speakers. They have told us people keep calling them and complaining about my boat being too loud…but when I can just make out the music @ 70 feet behind the boat…how can people hear it at shore? Any ideas?

[Roonie's]

noise travels across water very well. I have grown up on the water and we could hear people's NORMAL conversations in the middle of the lake.

[wiltok]

What lake are you on? I'm in Soutwest Mighigan - and there are a number of wakeboard boats with REALLY load speakers. It doesn't bother me (they are usually just passing by) but I could see how others could be annoyed.

Anywho, I understand it is very difficult to measure sound on the water. Are they giving out tickets? On what law?

[x2boarder]

Originally Posted by wiltok

What lake are you on? I'm in Soutwest Mighigan - and there are a number of wakeboard boats with REALLY load speakers. It doesn't bother me (they are usually just passing by) but I could see how others could be annoyed.

Anywho, I understand it is very difficult to measure sound on the water. Are they giving out tickets? On what law?

He said if he stops us again he is going to give me a ticket. He claimed it was a "city ordinance", but the lake isn't in city limits. It is kinda funny because he stopped us and was like, we are getting complaints about a blue / white....I mean blue / yellow, then you see him lean over so he can read the markings on my boat "X2". I'm like....sure you did buddy. I keep the music way down in the mornings and at night...but in the middle of the day on Saturday when there are 50 boats all tearing around the lake...how can they complain about some music? Maybe I should play some classical!!

[ProTour X9]

Originally Posted by x2boarder

Maybe I should play some classical!!

Play "Sing Sing Sing"!!!

[phecksel]

Originally Posted by x2boarder

He said if he stops us again he is going to give me a ticket. He claimed it was a "city ordinance", but the lake isn't in city limits. It is kinda funny because he stopped us and was like, we are getting complaints about a blue / white....I mean blue / yellow, then you see him lean over so he can read the markings on my boat "X2". I'm like....sure you did buddy. I keep the music way down in the mornings and at night...but in the middle of the day on Saturday when there are 50 boats all tearing around the lake...how can they complain about some music? Maybe I should play some classical!!

Don't play internet lawyer, unless you know exactly what the ordinance says, and exactly where the city limits end, and where they have jurisdiction.

Originally Posted by x2boarder

I agree, my ears hurt the first few times...I had my dealer setup the tower speakers as "Rear" when I fade it on the deck...so I fade 80% of the volume to the tower and the boat stays at an ear friendly level. I just want to get my $1,400 out of the tower speakers.

This alone indicates to me you are not being respectful of others. If said 80% boat, 20% tower, and they were complaining...But no, I want everybody else to hear it like I want...

[3event]

Tough topic. Nearly every boat-towed sport has the potential to annoy other lake users at some point. If you give people specific reasons to complain such as loud music, or creating ballast-enhanced rollers in tight spots, you open yourself up to more scrutiny as pointed out above.

I think those of us on modestly sized waterways have to keep in mind that lake associations / town boards, etc. could decide to react by restricting hours, noise ordinances, or banning ballast. Once rules are in place there's no going back.

My $0.02

[Maristar210]

Sound travels on the water especially loud rock music. You turn it up to hear it over the motor of your boat and everyone else suffers as a result. Don't be the guy everyone points at as being the "a$$hole with the loud stereo". If it's late you should be respectful. Violation of this is the very reason you see certain lakes enforcing no wake from 7 pm until 11 am. This very reason.....

[TX.X-30 fan]

Originally Posted by Maristar210

Sound travels on the water especially loud rock music. You turn it up to hear it over the motor of your boat and everyone else suffers as a result. Don't be the guy everyone points at as being the "a$$hole with the loud stereo". If it's late you should be respectful. Violation of this is the very reason you see certain lakes enforcing no wake from 7 pm until 11 am. This very reason.....

So if your music is low why do they point at you.


Oh' silly me its the YELLOW SPEEDO.

[Maristar210]

Originally Posted by TX.X-30 fan

So if your music is low why do they point at you.


Oh' silly me its the YELLOW SPEEDO.

Now your catching on TExas.....