Holy mother of god

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Holy mother of god

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Holy mother of god

True enough. Even a 10' jon boat piloted by an idiot can be a dangerous weapon, but the thing about jetskis is that they can go a LOT faster and get out of control much more quickly than the jon boat..

And the jetskis do seem to attract a much higher ratio of aggressive idiots. I have never been run down or harassed by a retired fellow in a duck boat..

I have to agree with woodrat on this one, I can't remember the last time I had to dodge a jon boat. But I can recall dozens of time where I have nearly run over idiots on jet skis that did something stupid.

The worst case was while running a buddies speed boat, a guy on a jet ski that was following a boat that was pulling a woman on a tube nearly dove right under the bow of the boat I was driving. The woman came off the tube, barrel rolled off to one side and the jet ski came across my bow and bailed out of his throttle when directly in front of me. He had been jumping my wake and when he saw the woman in the water, he made a panic move to his left and gunned it past me and around in front of me. He then dove downward with the ski, came up with the ski full of mud and came up facing me on my port side at full throttle. I had to throttle up and punch it out of his way to avoid getting hit and at the same time avoid the boat that had been towing the woman on the tube that had turned back and run over the tow line which was now in their prop. I was traveling at about 15 mph though that area when both the boat, tube, and ski passed me on my starboard side. We ended up being the ones to go back and check on the woman who had fallen of the tube. She had no life vest, and had landed off in the marsh. I would have to say that they had to be going at least 40 mph when she flew off. When we returned the woman to the boat that was towing her, we couldn't help but notice that all three others on that boat were drunk or at least was drinking. They were taking turns falling overboard trying to untangle the rope from the I/O unit. The guy on the ski took off, it appears that he was just trying to harass the woman on the tube.

The boat I was running that day was a twin, blown, Chevy big block speed boat, we were heading off shore to make a high speed test run. The guy on the ski should be glad that I wasn't driving like he was, he would have been done for when he cut in front of me. The bad part was that it was early on a weekday when this happened, we had especially made sure to run out during a weekdaywhen there would be far less idiots to worry about. If I hadn't been standing up and leaning against a bolster for better visibility, I may not have ever seen either of them soon enough.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Holy mother of god

I drive 1 hour to work and 1 hour home every day on a highway with a huge number of accidents and jerks (trying to be nice).

I have a temper and have "tried to teach people a lesson" until I got some advice from my boss. He did not give me this advice because I was 'Teaching people a lesson" (yeah that meant doing stupid things like riding the bumper etc.), but because I was mentioned that a driver made me angry. Here is his advice. I remember it every time I start to get my blood pressure up.

"If you get angry, the person that just made you that way is controlling you instead of you controlling yourself."

I understand that I am not doing anything by teaching people a lesson. They are not the ones that are going to learn, but they would take great pleasure in knowing they are pissing me off. I am also in dangering myself and the other people that are driving just fine.

I am glad that he gave me this advice. I could have been the guy who was so pissed on this road, he used his vehicle to nudge someone off the road. Their car rolled and landed top down in the swampy middle of the divided highway. He had a change of heart and went back to the help the person as the car was sinking top first into the mud and water. I am sure after fines, no license, and possible jail time, that he wished he had gotten the advice I did. At least no one died, too may people do on this road.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holy mother of god

Good advice, Scoop!

 

[paulman]

Re: Holy mother of god

The problem is, 99% of the time it is your word against theirs. You can call DNR or Whoever all you want...unless THEY see it happen there is nothing they will do. BUT..if you scare the pants off from the idiots in question, say suddenly come off plane when a jetflea is tailing you...not enough to hurt them (or your boat) but enough for them to have to stop and check their shorts...maybe...JUST MAYBE they will learn a lesson. Doubtful they will learn...but its posssible.

The REAL solution to the issue is for boaters to unite and contact their legislators and demand stricter boating laws. Perhaps a "boating license"?
I vote for an IQ test for boaters and car drivers alike! THAT my friend would solve 90% of all issues we have now.

Gday mate, i just noticed your suggestion of having 'boating licences', don't you guys need a licence to operate a boat over there?

 

[ddennis]

Re: Holy mother of god

Gday mate, i just noticed your suggestion of having 'boating licences', don't you guys need a licence to operate a boat over there?

Nope..any idiot can buy and drive one, no training or license needed.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: Holy mother of god

good morning all i am new to boating this summer and i haven't ran into any jet skis that were being out of hand yet but i had a situation with a ski boat that just wonder if i had a right to be upset or not but the guy just came out of a no wake zone which isn't very big of an area to come through under the bridge stopped and blocked the opening and decided to get his skier ready right there i had stopped since there was a person in the water and didn't want to take a chance on injuring anyone but 20 minutes later and 9 boats behind me he decides that he was gonna go and start skiing we all finally got through the bouys and he is constantly cutting in front of all of us . when someone would attempt to pass him he would start flipping them off and screaming about courtesy to the skier . now my ? is should he have had enough couresy of his own to find a spot that wouldn't block everyone else from going and having their own fun . or is this something that should be expected from the wealthier boaters because they have bigger and fancier boats than the rest of the people in the area .

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Holy mother of god

"If you get angry, the person that just made you that way is controlling you instead of you controlling yourself."

Sage advice. One minor point I learned some years back in a class on conflict resolution: No one can MAKE you angry. That is entirely your decision. They can do stupid or discourteous things but how you react is up to you.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holy mother of god

good morning all i am new to boating this summer and i haven't ran into any jet skis that were being out of hand yet but i had a situation with a ski boat that just wonder if i had a right to be upset or not but the guy just came out of a no wake zone which isn't very big of an area to come through under the bridge stopped and blocked the opening and decided to get his skier ready right there i had stopped since there was a person in the water and didn't want to take a chance on injuring anyone but 20 minutes later and 9 boats behind me he decides that he was gonna go and start skiing we all finally got through the bouys and he is constantly cutting in front of all of us . when someone would attempt to pass him he would start flipping them off and screaming about courtesy to the skier . now my ? is should he have had enough couresy of his own to find a spot that wouldn't block everyone else from going and having their own fun . or is this something that should be expected from the wealthier boaters because they have bigger and fancier boats than the rest of the people in the area .

Well, it was certainly quite rude of the ski boat operator. It's not how most folks do it, since safety for the skiier is of primary importance. I think you'll have to write this guy off as another idiot on the water. Not only did he tick off all the folks wanting passage, he endangered his skiier, since any of those boats might have had a bigger idiot driving it who would blow past him.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: Holy mother of god

ok CAT i just wanted to make sure i wasn't just over reacting to stupidity just thought maybe it was something i missed that said first come has right of way and i would never stop at the end of a no wake to load a skier myself i personally go to a secluded area before the kids get in the tube or it even gets hooked up on the rope thank you thought i was just going nuts lol

 

[SeaKing14]

Re: Holy mother of god

I live on the coast of North Carolina.More water than you can shake a stick at,Jet ski's are still a pain in the butt. Below is some of NC regulation for PWC's.


No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State at greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel, unless the personal watercraft is operating in a narrow channel (see below).
No person shall operate a personal watercraft in a narrow channel (see below) at greater than no-wake speed within 50 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel.
No person shall operate a PWC towing another person on water skis or similar device unless the total number of persons operating, observing, and being towed does not exceed the number of passengers identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel.
Reckless Operation Includes:
Unreasonable or unnecessary weaving through congested boat traffic.
Jumping the wake of a vessel within 100 feet of the vessel or when visibility is obstructed.
Intentionally approaching a vessel in order to swerve at the last moment.
Operating contrary to the "rules of the road".
Following too closely (see below) to another vessel, including another personal watercraft.
Renting PWCs
No one shall rent a PWC to someone under 16 unless that person meets the conditions in the section "Who Can Operate a PWC?"
A minimum of $300,000 insurance must be carried on each PWC that is rented to the public.
Narrow Channel
A "narrow channel": means a segment of the waters of the State 300 feet or less in width.
Following too Closely
The term "following too closely" means proceeding in the same direction and operating at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour when approaching within 100 feet to the rear or 50 feet to the side of another vessel that is underway unless that vessel is operating in a narrow channel, in which case a personal watercraft may operate at the speed and flow of other vessel traffic.

 

[just plain ole Bill]

Re: Holy mother of god

After reading some of these stories I have to admit I am totaly awestruck. I've been boating here for about three years and have not ever had anyone cut me off at the ramp, had a run in with a jet skier or anything of the like. There are three lakes within 30 minutes of my house and I frequent them all regularly. What's different? The wildlife department guys and the state highway patrol each have their own boats and know how to use them. I understand each department has three boats. They have developed unmistakeable reputations. A lot of people have unusual names for these guys. It is simple to understand. It costs a minimum of $351.00 to 'talk' to them if they initiate the 'conversation'. They treat everyone equally. If they pull you over they get out with the ticket halfway filled out. On the water or off if you're pulling a watercraft. Me? I love it!

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Holy mother of god

I think Darwin will prevail in the end and most of these wackjobs will take themselves out of the gene pool. They should have a national "Jet Ski & Jet Boat lets go out and kill ourselves like real idiots day"! Then they can hopefully get it all out of their systems and take a few of themselves out of the game permanently, so the rest of us can enjoy the waterways the rest of the year.

I guess we're lucky in that we don't have the volume of traffic you guys are describing. We're on a relatively "off the beaten track" part of the St. Lawrence river. We have in the past had our lil' run ins with inconsiderate boaters waking us while we're tied up along the canal walls and jetskeeters jumping our wakes etc. They can jump my wake all they want I really don't care. The few times I've run into some real aholes I just go put my Coast Guard cap and jacket on and jot down theiir registration numbers. When they see the uniform they usually turn tail perdy quick! *evin grin*

 

[just plain ole Bill]

Re: Holy mother of god

KnottyBuoyz - I think you might have hit on something here. The week before you go out on the lake advertise your "Jet Ski & Jet Boat lets go out and kill ourselves like real idiots day"! Really yuck it up..Wake Jumping Contest, Diving Contest, everything you can think of. Don't forget to include the "BYOB". Set out an old cooler you were planning to replace anyway. Fill it with ice and some of those hopped up, over the top caffine drinks for them to use as mixers for their mixed drinks.

Set it up for the Friday before you plan your family outing. When you get there Saturday morning you should find a quiet peaceful lake. If you run across any of them left over floating out in the lake do just that, run across them. Slow your boat, judge the distance accordingly so you'll plane out about 10 to 15 yards past them. Have the radio up just enough no one will hear the thud and let the hammer down. The bow will still be up as you 'run across' them and no one will be the wiser. How'd that song go? "...another one bites the dust, YEAH!"

A few weeks of that should have a positive impact on the gene pool.