Are Wake Boats Destroying Lakes??? | UMN Boat Wake Study Breakdown

[@Adam12Designs]

I love all boats. We even have a Mastercraft prostar. With that said…All of my scientific study comes from sitting on my beach watching boats go by for hours. It’s the wake boats smashing my boats against my dock not the pontoons, runabouts, jet skis, or fishing boats. That’s why I refer to them as “dock smashers”

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for giving your perspective.

[@bradchristy8429]

And you’re not wrong.

[@collin9085]

You should buy a boat lift.

[@bradchristy8429]

@@collin9085 Why should other people have to make a financial sacrifice for others’ carelessness, selfishness and lack of accountability. They are responsible for their wake. Wherever it may travel, and whatever damage it may cause. The end.

[@Adam12Designs]

@@collin9085 maybe the owners of the dock smasher should buy me one.

[@raphatanguay-lavoie4779]

The issue with wakeboarding arises from the sediments it disturbs from the lake bottom, not just shoreline erosion. Studies have shown that wakeboards have the capability to disturb sediments up to 6 meters deep, which is not typical of other types of boats. These sediments often contain phosphorus and other nutrients. Suspending these nutrients in the lake water can serve as food for algae, leading to eutrophication, where excessive algae growth can deplete oxygen levels in the lake and harm its ecosystem. Therefore, for wakeboarding to be safe for your lake, it needs to be conducted in waters that are at least 7 meters deep and a minimum of 600 meters wide.

[@natem3204]

It will be interesting to see what or if any rules will change cause of these wake boats. I haven't brought my 17.5 foot fishing boat up to my parents lake home on the Gull Lake chain up in northern Minnesota for 2 years now cause of the waves from wake boats. If your trolling with a bow mount, it is out of the water half the time and anchors are worthless for bobber fishing. I tried night fishing for walleyes a few years back so I wouldn't have to deal with the big waves only to be buzzed by people surfing behind wake boats at 11:30 at night. I contacted the DNR about that and they told me it was legal for them to do that. Frustrating but there are lots of lakes in Minnesota and I can go to a different ones.

[@Sunni_days]

Ya, I’m interested too. Sorry you don’t get to fish on the lake by your parents home anymore. I do think it would be great to come up a solution that we can all enjoy the lake way we would like. Not sure if it is possible though 🤔. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment on the video. Have a great day 😊

[@dannelson6715]

So conflicted! I don't like bans but these boats are a problem. Imagine a road vehicle that can create giant rolling moving speed bumps that don't have any warning signs that you are about to encounter them and they could damage other people's vehicles, maybe cause them to wreck or roll over, cause parked cars to slam into each other, and damage the curbs and shoulders of the road and cause the trees and banks next to the road to collapse at accelerated rates. Anyone that has been on a lake or river, especially a narrower body of water, when one of these passes by in full wake mode knows the impact and the danger of these waves to other boaters and to the shoreline. Like I said I don't like bans but there has got to be some solution to this problem. BTW it's very true...people will show signs of envy when you have something like a 150K boat and they can't afford a house that cost that much. But, that's not the issue for them...the issue when your 150K boat is pushing around all the other boats and docks, making the lakes unusable and unsafe for everyone else to enjoy.

[@Sunni_days]

Thank you for taking the time to comment and express your view. I do believe it helps to add to the discussion. The once breakdown on your analogy is that other boats create waves too and can damage boats and docks. It’s not like all boats are like cars and just run smoothly on the road. Many boat types have gotten bigger over the years and can produce large waves. I’m with you, I don’t like bans on anything. Hopefully I can bring enough awareness to the issue so I can help educate wake boat owners in the proper way to boat around other boats/docks.

[@bradchristy8429]

@@Sunni_daysThe solution is simple. Imposition of liability. Just as with a bullet, we are all responsible for the wake our boats make, and any damages they may cause. We won’t have to ban anything. When enough of them can’t afford to risk of killing someone between their boat and a dock, they’ll stop.

[@Sunni_days]

@bradchristy8429 I can see your point, and in some states that’s already the case. Not sure how much it is enforced though. I remember reading or hearing about case on Lake Powell that dealt with this very thing.

[@Elswick17]

Same can be said for speed. Should there be a speed limit for bass boats? I’ve seen bass boats blast right past ppl enjoying the lake in kayaks or other water sports besides surfing. Dangerous as well no?

[@trxntroll843]

I just wanna ride the wave!

[@zacharyoliver5332]

This is like putting tank treads on your truck and saying the tracks aren't fucking up the road more then tires. You know damn good and well that the tracks are fucking shit up .

[@Sunni_days]

I can see what you are trying to get at; but I don’t make the leap to tank tracks. With that same logic any boat that makes a wave “X” big would need to be banned from the lake. I don’t agree with that line of thinking. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Have a great day.

[@danielblair2934]

I hate wakeboard because a majority people on them have no respect for other boaters. I fish in a 19 foot Lund boat. That thing ain’t cheap either. Wake boat owners please be respectful while there are people trolling 50 to100 feet of shore. Don’t go between me and the shore. I will report you to the DNR. With a hull number.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to convey your thoughts and opinions. I am sorry for some of your bad experiences you have had with wakeboats. I hope that at some point we can all be OK with each other using the awesome water ways that we have. People seem to complain from all sides. Fishermen, Jet Skiers, Partiers, Skiers, Wakeboarders, Surfers, everyone seems to feel entitled to their time on the lake, and think that everyone else is imposing on their private water. I don't really want to ban anyone or any type of watercraft from using the water ways. I agree, we should all be a little more respectful. Hope you have a wonderful day!

[@ltownandfriends4531]

love watersports in general, waterskiing and wakeboarding in particular. because you can modify a wide variety of boat using aftermarket products to wakesurf, it should be the activity of wakesufing that should be controlled and not necessary the type of boat. For example a rule of banning wakesurfing on lakes and rivers but allowing it on the ocean would make sense - that way if you have a wakesurf boat you are still able to launch the boat in any body of water. talking as someone that has a sterndrive boat, its incredibly frustrating when crossing paths with boat that is making a surf wake (unavoidable on rivers for example) - reason being is that one needs to throttle down from cruising to almost idle speed due to the massive waves. what makes matters worse is if you busy towing a skiier or wakeboarder cuz they get off plain when you have to throttle down... now you gotta pick up you skiier even though they were having a good run. this means frustrated skiier/ wakeboarder, more fuel consumed by the boat for same amount of ski time , unnecessary high amount of water start , etc...

[@Sunni_days]

Thank you for taking the time to communicate your concerns and your position. I am sorry for some of the struggles you have with other boats and boaters on the water. Hopefully we can all figure out how to be on the water together. Even though some people on the water annoy me, I don't take the approach that we should restrict or ban people from using the amazing water that we have around us. Part of the drive of a surf boat, is that you don't need to be by the ocean to surf. So, your idea of letting surf boats be out in the ocean, kinda defeats the purpose and design of the boats. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[@70007d]

Great video! Thank You for taking the time to put this together!

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for watching and commenting!! Hopefully it helps 🤞

[@joetaber8259]

Hi Blake- I have a Centurion Ri245, a boat that makes huge waves while in surfing mode. Even I hate some wake boats. In particular the ones that go surfing in small coves to show off or steer to close to fishing boats in said coves or being operated by untrained teenagers who think everyone in that cove enjoys gangster hip hop etc etc. I think that the watersports community should educate themselves on how not to ruin it for watersports enthusiasts.

[@Sunni_days]

Good point!! That’s one reason I have a KZbin channel. Hopefully I can connect with that audience. I just need to figure out the best way to educate them!! I’ll take some of your input and see if I can help 👌.

[@joetaber8259]

My input- just help people understand that the golden rule applies, especially when your chosen activities tend to be disruptive in confined spaces. More input- Help people understand that dangerous or destructive activity can’t be regulated away. For example: I also hate jet skiers and pontoons pulling tubes who like to jump my wake while close enough to read the brand of board shorts I’m wearing. There’s lots of regulations here that make that illegal but they do it anyway. Would the regulators consider banning all these boats? Maybe the best boating regulation would be one that requires a serious boating course that covers all these elements of bad and dangerous behavior.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for the input 🙏. This is great stuff 👍

[@carterheflen7704]

I think a much bigger concern is the damage lakes take from salt runoff when salting the roads in the winter

[@Sunni_days]

Interesting, not something I have considered or even thought if. BTW - Nice fish in your profile pic. Does the salt mess with the marine life (including fish 🎣)??

[@bradchristy8429]

While you may have a legitimate point about the sale, salt runoff isn’t damaging docks, boats the shoreline, or injuring people. Additionally, one can be eliminated without considerable repercussions to life outside of the waterway, the other cannot.

[@camdensexton]

For all of these comments I have one suggestion y’all should read. Most of the problems with wakeboats are the DRIVERS yes you heard me right. I have a 2021 atx and we always surf 600-700 feet offshore or as in the middle of the lake as we can do the waves don’t affect the shore as much. Most drivers need to be educated because they are wishing 200 feet.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for you input. How do you like your ATX? Haven’t been in one yet.

[@Tracyspellenberg]

As a fisherman I hate wakeboard boats but I understand why people enjoy wakeboarding just not for me. These things are the whole reason I don't fish on the weekends.

[@Sunni_days]

I can understand why you hate Wakeboats, it’s a little counter to how you like to enjoy the lake. I’m not too fond of going on the weekends either. Too many people for me 🤦.

[@trxntroll843]

Fishing blows mid day anyway. Fishing in morning, party from then on.

[@LifetimeShred]

I think there is a huge onus on dealers needing to step it up in the boat education department. I'm also a fan of states requiring boating licenses. It's not a good combo when someone new to boating who has some cash drops in on a 200K "surf" boat with massive wake potential at their finger tips. The wakeBOARDer in me would also like to point to page 79. Wakesurfing speeds on the MXZ had way more wave packet energy than the 20mph did. 7000 vs 2000 @ 100 feet. #Surf-the-ocean-not-the-glass

[@Sunni_days]

Hey - you comment didn't come through originally. Sorry for the late response. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. You make a good point about a boating license. Yes, also eduction is important. Even if dealers are good at educating, some customers just don't listen or their eye glaze over while the dealer is instructing them. This is part of the reason this channel exists. To educate new and seasoned boaters on how to be better boaters.

[@peterdarr383]

Water levels were low in Central Fl lakes 10 Years ago. What I observed were built-up sand bars about a foot high, possibly made by wind waves. This is the opposite of erosion and occurred naturally. Any further erosion study would need to model an incredible number of factors. I would hate to see a category of vessel banned as it establishes the legal "teeth" to take out the next category.

[@Sunni_days]

Great point, this isn’t something that I discovered while doing research. Thanks for adding to the discussion 🙏.

[@brentwhite2057]

Fantastic!! Thank you for this!

[@Sunni_days]

My pleasure!

[@one935935]

Great Job!!!!

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks

[@mackenzegrunig8279]

As someone who has experienced ice out in Minnesota for 34 years, there is simply no way any amount of wakeboard wake could cause the damage ice does.

[@Sunni_days]

So ice does do a fair bit of damage?

[@mackenzegrunig8279]

@bLAKE days Google ice out damage Minnesota. Depending on the year it can totally ruin your shoreline and any structure. (Retaining walls, ect.)

[@mackenzegrunig8279]

I think there should be discussion had about how our boats damage the lake bed in shallow passes. That I can understand being a concern, but boating in general can also cause that damage. Unfortunately, wake boats like you said have been the ones to pick on as of late.

[@Sunni_days]

@@mackenzegrunig8279 oh wow. Will do. Thanks for the info 👌.

[@Sunni_days]

This is actually cited in the paper for an area of future research.

[@mikebabbel8873]

Very thorough review of the article. By the way, I can help you with your pronunciation of the Williamette river in Oregon.

[@sashababbel1410]

Haha!!

[@Sunni_days]

Thank you for watching!! I figured it I was saying it wrong 😑 🤦. You’ll have to let me know how to say it the next time we see each other 👌.

[@DIYPowerCouple]

We learned a lot from this video! Excellent!! Thanks for the clear explanation. 👍🏾😃

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for watching and commenting 👌

[@d.i.y.repairs6302]

Viewed this because several states in the SE are targeting wake boats. We are on a lake and our dock is the first in a cove that is too narrow to ski into. There are all types of boats on this large lake. When we are on our floating dock or just floating in the water obviously we've experienced lots of waves. Big cruisers (which are more expensive) are the worst at medium speeds. Wakeboard boats also create big waves. In my opinion, the issue isn't erosion, it's annoyance. Older people (I'm older BTW but ok with) in general, do not like the music, waves or the inconsiderate boaters. We often say "why do they keep going back and forth right in front of the cove entrance"? It's the same with tubers. There's miles and miles of lake but you have to keep circling here? They have every right to do what they are doing (law says 100ft from shore or dock) The point. It's the few that ruin things for all. People lack consideration for others. We view people all of the time cutting corners the wrong way, going right next to people quietly fishing etc. So, those with influence have selected what they view as the segment of annoyance....

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment on my video. I appreciate you feedback. I tend to agree with you, I think people are annoyed and they are using the erosion topic to ban the “annoying” boats.

[@northwesttravels7234]

We had a Airbnb renter bring a Malibu to our small lake pulling a 4 person tube. Multiple hours a day for a week. Broke multiple docks, lots of dead fish and shore erosion. Yes some other boats have been issues but this is on a whole different scale.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment on the video. I'm sorry for the experience that you had, that sound like no fun. As I said in the video it isn't just a specific boat. You could have had renter who came to your Airbnb with a Four Winns, Chaparral, or other bigger inboard outboard and you would have had similar destructive results. Sidenote - Where is your Airbnb located? Thanks again, hope you have a wonderful day.

[@wakelife3429]

Great video! Thanks for helping to educate the community🏄🏼‍♂

[@Sunni_days]

Thank you 🙏. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Just trying to do my part 👌. Hope your getting ready to enjoy a great summer ☀️!!

[@midwestman9302]

they are called "wake boats" and engineered to make big waves, so can we not argue that point at least? And you get to choose. A 6yr old punching you 100 times, or Mike Tyson punching you once. Same total energy.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment on the video. Yes, same total energy. With that same logic, you might also advocate limiting the number of boats on a lake at a given time. Or even the total number of boats on a lake for the season. Once that number is hit, no more boats on the lake. I don't advocate limiting boats or boating. I love boating so much that I want others to enjoy the same thing, in a way that they choose to. That could be fishing, jet skiing, pontoon boats, kayaking, etc. Even though I don't always like those activities, and sometimes have safety concerns around some of their practices, I don't want to limit their access to the lake for my personal benefit. Hope you have a wonderful Monday 😄

[@brandoni3326]

Hey Blake, would you be able to do a video showing how to get an adult on top of your shoulders while wakesurfing?

[@Sunni_days]

You want a tutorial on how to do this??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/e56bdHdsrbCBoMk

[@jeremylong6229]

Ban them. As the fad grows the wakes will just get bigger. Making it impossible for anybody NOT wake surfing to enjoy the water

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. If I understand correctly, you want to ban them just because you don't like them?

[@jeremylong6229]

@@Sunni_days Not at all as a fisherman I dont like a lot of pleasure boater activities but the owners of these boats are proving to be anything but responsible on my local lake.. kids are being hospitalized we just had one this past weekend that was swimming infront of a dock (i assume infront of his home) when a wake boat came by and the wake slammed him into the dock. Ive had them come right up next to me when trolling along a bank its nothing but a bad time for everybody except the rich kids on the wake boat. If they would be a little more responsible it probably wouldnt be a big issue but they aren't. You seem to push responsibility in your videos which is appreciated and hopefully wake boat owners will listen to your advice and it wont be as big an issue in the coming years. but my prediction is it will get worse

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for your honest response. There are definitely people out there that aren’t responsible. Hope we can both keep enjoying our water ways. Have a wonderful day.

[@jeffforester3144]

I am always skeptical of presentations that start out with "I read the report so you don't have to...." Better to do your own investigation and come to your own conclusion. I did, and there is no suggestion that wake surfing boats should be banned. There are thousands of wake surfing boats in Minnesota - banning them would be impossible. But it does provide good information that boaters can use to wake surf responsibly.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for your feedback. I guess my dry humor didn’t get a laugh, I apologize 🙏. On the “I read the report, so you don’t have to…”So, I can understand your skepticism. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and comment along with reading the report 👌. There is actually recent action on limitations on Lake Minnetonka. Some other places in the country have banned wakesurfing on public water 🤷‍♂️.

[@jeffforester3144]

@@Sunni_days - yes, was aware of the Lake Minnetonka effort and sent a letter in opposition. We have been working on a boater education and certification strategy in MN with industry. My thinking is this - have more acres of surf-able water been lost to regulation or to algae blooms. Knowing the impacts of shoreland erosion or re-animating lake sediments, and its impact on algae blooms is key I think.

[@Sunni_days]

Oh nice. Thanks for your work on this 🙏. That is an interesting point I haven’t even thought of. The algae bloom. In the report they discussed how they wanted to see how prop wash impacted mixing them he lake bottom sediment. There is definitely more to it than “Wakeboats make big waves and destroy lakes…” Thanks again for your work on this subject.

[@albelerberg4733]

Got it... Wake boats have big waves that disrupt the bottom setiment and wash up against shore. Also can cause issues if too close to docks and shorelines. I live on a small lake that has about 1/4 the population owning wake boats (about 8-10). We also get about 2 or 3 every weekend from the public access. I have had zero damage from wakeboat waves in over a decade of living on the lake. However - we now have 4 invasive species from the MN DNR's inablility to prevent the spread of zebra mussles, Eurasian watermilfoil, Culy-leaf Pondweed, and other aquatic problems. This on the other hand has had a MAJOR impact on the quality of the lake. I would much rather have seen the DNR take those threats seriously than try to appease a small but vocal minority.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and reply. What lake do you live on??? I've always wanted to live on a lake. The study actually said that more research is needed to fully understand a wake boat's impact on the lakes. I am glad to know from you that you have had zero damage from wakeboat waves. Sorry about the invasive species. I agree, that is a threat that needs to be addressed. Hopefully we can save our water ways from those pesky things. Have a wonderful day.

[@ScottH22175]

Our small lake in north Idaho is approximately a mile and half long and 700 yards wide at it's widest spot. All docks are floating docks ao they can be moved out as the water goes down. When one wave boat shows up the wakes rock the docks and boats tied to them significantly. When 2 more are added it pretty much turns it into the ocean even when they are several hundred feet from shore. 200 feet is a joke. Our retaining wall which survived 40+ years with no damage is being undermined by the large wakes and will eventually need replaced. This will cost tens of thousands of dollars as the wall is not accessible by land. Others around the lake have already had to repair theirs. Also, 3 wake boats on the lake pretty much shuts down any other activity because the water is so choppy. And before anyone calls me a rich crybaby, I am a retired truck driver who bought this property decades ago. The rich crybabies to me are the people who can drop 200 to 300K on a boat to surf and blast their music so no one else can enjoy the lake. And that's exactly what happens. We can't even sit on our dock.

[@wake_mann]

Great video! Lots of good information. If anyone every needs me to sign a petition just let me know. Thank you for the shout out!!

[@Sunni_days]

No Problem!! Thanks for Educating the boating community!!

[@erikknutson8812]

Yea it's going to intrusting to see what happens. MN my right next to my state but I still hear talks in south Dakota about wake boats. Be smart watch what your doing and stay away from docks and other boats.

[@Sunni_days]

Ya, it will be interesting 🤔. Good tips on staying away from docks and other boats.

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

Yeah this is such BS. I have lived on lakes my whole life, and have never had any damage from our Nautique or any other wakeboard boat. I will be fighting this with facts and science.

[@Sunni_days]

Ya, it’s interesting. Are you from the Midwest?

[@slabhand]

I've got salmon spawning in the shallows next to my dock in Alaska. The wakeboaters ignore the 100' setback and cruise right past my floating dock @ 30' from shore. ... And you want me to pay to dump rock on the spawning grounds so's the meg rich wakers can surf. FO.

[@Irishmule169]

If the wake boats keep running right next to bass fisherman during tournaments or anyone for that matter..you can bet they’ll get banned..Fishing revenues and the cost impact from bank erosion will be the end of that non sense..

[@Sunni_days]

Many people feel what you stated. I’m sorry you’ve had bad experiences with Wakeboats. Hopefully I can change that for the future. Generally I think all boaters need to be more respectful for others out on the water. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

[@christopherschleeper7186]

Personally, Id like to see them banned. Im all for sharing the lake. But, as a fisherman, their waves beat the crap out of me. The lake I fish is about 18000 acres. No other boat on the water makes waves of this magnitude (including cruisers). At some point, there will be a death from the waves these boats create.

[@newstart49]

You are responsible for your wake! If your wake causes injury or death- you WILL be in terrible trouble and looking for jail time! The increase in big waves as a result is NOT good for the banks and you know it. We have to share the waters, lets be considerate of each other.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts. At first I thought you were talking about banks 🏦 💰💰!! 🤣🤣 🤦. I agree with your last statement. We have to share the waters and that is true for all of us. Thanks again, I hope you have a blessed day.

[@trxntroll843]

Nobody going to jail for producing wake lol. “It wasn’t my wake” case closed.

[@scottyboi5021]

Wake boats are annoying as hell just go to the beach

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to watch. I typically don’t just go the beach, but depending on what lake that can be fun. Hope you have a great day and get done Lake time this week 👌.

[@patricksquires77]

Wake Boats are dumb. Sorry I have no issue with boats, boaters, boating, boat sports, loud boats - good times etc. Not sure that they need to be banned however - cause like a bad fad it should take care of itself. Appreciate your content and differences of opinion - and no need to wait my opinion very high - I don’t even own a boat. I probably could not even identify a wake boat out of the water. I bet 50% of the problem of people hating on wake boats is the name “Wake Boat”.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It adds to the conversation. Hope you have a great day!!

[@trxntroll843]

I found out day one how muc h people also hate jet skis lol. People are nearly unbearable these days.

[@trxntroll843]

Fisherman mad wakeboats disturbing/hurting wildlife as they literally catch and kill fish lol. Classic.

[@boatmark6010]

Roll Bar boats suck...

[@Sunni_days]

You mean like racing jet boats 😉!!

[@joannsyverson1730]

👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment on the video! I appreciate you and hope you have a wonderful summer 🌞

[@tabitz]

This guy is a tool, he doesn’t get it.

[@KBurd1]

Lmao, jetskis aren't so bad since these wake boats started popping out. Funning thing is you ever watched one of these guys back in..... boat trap.

[@Sunni_days]

Thanks for commenting. There is some fun people watching around a boat ramp. My point was more about how different people annoy each other on the lake no matter what, and it would be nice if we can all enjoy the water together. Hope you have a great night.

[@robnamowicz8073]

Wakes Kill Lakes

[@Sunni_days]

🤔