"Bob D." wrote in message
...
You've raised many valid points. Here are a few more to consider:

Not wanting offshore boats to run unmuffled IS NOT synomynous with any
lack of appreciation for performance. I am sure that many of the posters
who resent people who run their boats without a diverter, enjoy an auto
or boat race as much as the next guy. The difference is:

1. It is an actual race vs someone showing off a toy.

2. They are making an informed decision and electing
to partake in the event versus someone forcing them
to listen to a bunch of noise.

As for ear splitting sound. Maybe maybe not. My criteria for annoyance
in this matter is obviously lower than yours, as I find it annoying long
before any physical damage to my hearing is done. While I can't speak
for everyone, for me it's often not just the noise, its the intent. If an
unmuffled boat idles by, I may not like it, but as you state, it will come
to pass. I have friendly acquaintances at a marina I frequent, two
couples, each with an offshore. They idle in and out quickly and at
reasonable times of day, no problem.

I thought about this a lot and it seems that its not the loud boats at all.
I appreciate the sound of performance engines and they are almost music to
my ears.
However I have a very low tolerance for rap music with the heavy bass, hate
it when
I'm at a light and the car behind me has a stereo that has so much bass it
makes my rear
view mirror vibrate. The sound of a Harley is irritating because if I had a
Corvette that hit
the same DB as those bikes I'd get a ticket but the Harleys are un touched,
not to mention
the little Japanese cars that now have more exhaust than engine.
What we are complaining about are people who are rude and have no common
curtsey for others.
Not sure what can be done.... Yeah you can pass laws for noise, get them to
enforce it but then
you have a bigger problem with the government.
Performance boats are not the problem. if I came home from fishing at 3 in
the morning and decided
to rinse my 125 outboard before I went to bed I'm sure the neighbors would
think it was just as loud as
what you are complaining about. Its the people not the bots that are a
problem.
Remember you cannot legislate morality or common sense. Less Government is
better government.