Next to the mussel problem I view the tour boat wake as the next biggest Powell threat. I am amazed at the negligence the wake boat drivers display on a daily basis. I am further amazed that the NPS has not placed wake limits on this user. Ego drivers of equipment that is capable of producing such deadly and dangerous conditions for all is not a good mix. There is only one winner with the older tour boats and that is profit. Anyone exposed to the tour boat wake pays in safety exposure and some have paid with their life.
The wake produced by the old tour boat is very big and very dangerous. The 7 foot mark is not an exaggeration. That is a real size. I have seen entire ski boats beached by this wake, I have seen houseboats rocked so bad all the jet skis on the top deck broke through or went over the steel railing. I have seen house boats almost capsize. I have seen the entire bottom of a 35 foot cruiser followed by every passenger including the captain dropping to the floor after hitting the wake.
A few years ago I understand the only injury sustained by the NPS for the entire year was an injury on one of the NPS boats cause by the tour boat wake.
The arrogance and complete lack of safety awareness for others with the tour boats driver is poor command and negligence. The tour boat wakes are a nuisance. The wake from these boats compromises the safety of anyone near them. I would like to see the tour boat driver pulled I to this law suit individually by name. At the end of the day, the driver caused these injuries - had the driver exercised safer choices for the conditions the victim would not be injured.
The newer boats are better but still not as good as a multi hull design like AP uses. I will share a canyon any day with the tour boats used by Antelope point, but I run like a scared puppy when I see the old Aramark tour boats.
For those speaking without ever experiencing the death grip of a tour boat wake, may I suggest you gather your family and loved ones and park a boat on the buoy line between Wahweap and rainbow bridge. Your casual view point will immediately be adjusted. I have seen people sell their boat and never return to Powell after getting hit with the tour boat wake. It is that bad, especially if not expecting it.
View the tour boats wake as a threat that can kill you. These older tour boats belong in the Great Lakes or the ocean, not in the narrow cliff lined canyons of Powell. In the canyons all the energy of the waves are not gently dissipated on a nice sloped sandy beach, they are slapped right back into the canyon with near equal force.
The only thing worse that a tour boat is two tour boats and the only thing worse than that are when they race.
