We were out on the Muskegeon river a couple weekends ago. When our rider went down the Marine Patrol came over to our boat. They said the needed to do a pfd check. Of course with everyone having their own life jacket as well many extras we pull out a ton of life jackets. The marine patrol guys tell us were good to go, and then say they actually came over to check out the rig. Then they told us to throw some big tricks in front of them. What a change compared to the anal-retentive old guys that usually pull us over.
I live in PA, and my buddy just got a $70 dollar fine from the Marine Nazi's. Here is the story. He and his dad were loading up the Sea-Doo to take it back out of the water. The PWC was just about on the trailer, and needed to be moved up about 5-6 more inches. So my buddy touched the gas and it slid into place. The next thing you know, the boat patrol rolls up and gives them a ticket for too many RPM's!!! WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?!?! There is no motor size limit on our lake, and he wasn't making a huge wake in a no wake area either. I have a ton more stories, from just this summer. They are so out of control here it isn't funny!!
Most boat ramps don't allow anything more than idle speed while loading - propwash causes ramp damage.
I personally believe that every jet ski should be ticketed at every possible occassion no matter how minor the offence. Don't mean to sound like a , but I really get sick of the stupid crap people on jet skis get away with.
I don't see how it would damage the ramp when it is made of concrete, and the propwash was so minor. These are the same boat patrol that watch you from shore, drive to your house if you break a rule, and run toward you screaming, "YOU'RE GOING DOWN!"