A dealer and several boat owners in Alabama have filed suit against the state's new law that bans big boats on three lakes.
The lawsuit was filed last week against the state and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The suit claims the Alabama legislature acted in an "arbitrary and irrational manner" by approving the new law. The suit also seeks a preliminary injunction against the law.
The law that goes into effect Oct. 1 prohibits boats that are more than 26 feet, 11 inches and can go faster than 60 mph, on Lakes Martin and Harris and Weiss Lake. The law also prohibits houseboats -- except those that pass inspection and are already docked at a marina -- and all motor boats more than 30 feet, 6 inches. Sailboats are exempt.
One of the plaintiffs is Nelems Marine, a Formula dealer on Lake Martin. The other plaintiffs own boats more than 27 feet and use them on Lake Martin, according to the suit.
