Boating question for old timers... Pedernales drought and no-wake zones

[Gorfml]

Originally Posted by gjockey

Are there any/many wake regulations on the stretch of river from the 71 Bridge/Pedernales to the main body of Lake Travis.... say around Briarcliff Marina? On a map, the stretch looks like 20 miles... When the river is full, could you maintain a 30 mph cruise on a center console type boat through most of it?

no u can go full speed the whole way...

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by gjockey

Are there any/many wake regulations on the stretch of river from the 71 Bridge/Pedernales to the main body of Lake Travis.... say around Briarcliff Marina? On a map, the stretch looks like 20 miles... When the river is full, could you maintain a 30 mph cruise on a center console type boat through most of it?

Well, there is the Texas Water Safety Act.

§ 31.094. reckless or negligent operation
No person may operate any motorboat or vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in a wilfully or wantonly reckless or negligent manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of any person.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.

§ 31.095. excessive speed
(a) No person may operate any boat at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the conditions and hazards, actual and potential, then existing, including weather and density of traffic, or greater than will permit him, in the exercise of reasonable care, to bring the boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

§ 31.096. reckless operation and excessive speed (Class B P&W
Misdemeanor)
No person may operate a vessel or manipulate water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device on the water of this state in wilful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others or without due caution or circumspection, and at a speed or in a manner that endangers, or is likely to endanger, a person or property.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg.,
ch. 267, art. 3, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

§ 31.098. hazardous Wake or Wash
No person may operate a motorboat so as to create a hazardous wake or wash.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.

[gjockey]

Thanks CptnRn,

Maybe this is a better question since any wake can damage property and the Pedernales river is littered with docks it seems. Would a twin screw center console going 30 mph on the river heading to Lake Travis be fairly normal for the area?

[hoffdano]

Wakeboard boats towing a wakeboarder at 18 MPH with ballast or a wake surfer at 10 MPH create wakes far larger than a center console boat going 30 MPH.

[Gorfml]

full speed the whole way...done it a million times...

[derekv]

The barefooters out there cruise 40-42 on the longrope all day long, I don't think a CC would have a problem.

[gjockey]

Thanks everybody, all your comments are greatly appreciated.

[CptnRn]

With the current level of Lake Travis at just a hair over 639', you can't go very far West of the mouth of the Pedernales River before it will run out of water. It looks like an elevation of 639' would bottom out just South of Old Ferry Road. And most of the Pedernales between the mouth and Old Ferry Road would be only a third to one half of its normal width when the lake is full. Check out the topo map of Lake Travis hazards here: LCRA Maps | Highland Lakes

[Jnorris1150]

Old thread I know but you are the ones that will know...
Is skiing/wakeboarding back to where it use to be on the Pedernales at Hwy 71?
Thank you

[Trainwreck20]

Today in particular, and for a while more, there will be lots of potentially dangerous debris on the lake and the Ped.