PWC counseling needed......

[SoTexGuero]

I need some assistance in the resolution of my personal difficulties with Seadoos and Jetskiers. Specifically last weekend, I could not believe the speed these nuisances can acheive on the water and several incidences of abruptly crossing the bow........maybe I simply need a faster boat (and watch Death Race 2000)? Is there any stories or advise dealing with these hooligans? .

 

[this forum wont let me]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Bow Up Stern Down Full Speed Ahead!!!!!!

 

[rrhodes]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

I think we should all mount paint ball turrets on the bow's of our boats and have fun with them.

New Water Sport

 

[BumbleBeeTuna]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Unfortunately most of them just don't know any better. Majority of them do not realize they are bound by the same rules as full size boats and even some PWC specific.

It's even more frustrating when you try to inform them of their actions in the style of a hand signal and it just pisses them off and they get more aggressive.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Most jet skis from the late 90's on up are capable of 50mph-70mph for the new "musclecraft. The new Kawasaki 260X has, you guessed it, 260HP; that's as much as most boats with 1/5 of the weight to push! That being said the quickest way to get rid of them if they are hampering you is just to shut it down for a second, they'll see that the wake disappeared and will quickly look for the next victim. Paintball guns would be a good deterrant as well.

you can get ahold of local authorities if you have a marine radio when the "lake gnats" get to be a nuisance. I wouldn't hesitiate to call them if they are ever following you while a tube or skier is in tow.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

YOu should see our county.

In full summer/late spring, The DNR is out and about.. We have 1 major river in our area and they will stop and ticket jet skis and wave runners for aggressive boating. Not to mention the yahoo that has the 100 foot rooster tail that is always out 4 of July.

A few years ago, I was at a campground, very large lake. Lots of boats, skis and swimming.
One idiot kept coming into the swimming area and turning sharply. While the kids loved it, many of us didn't like it... DNR was out and slapped the guy with a 300+ fine. Told him he can't be with in 200 feet of the shore, or in a swimming area. 200 feet out is in the skiing lane.
next he told him either carry the PWC out or swim with it out of the swimming area. It have to be docked. He didn't listen. At this point he was tooling around and having fun but not like before. The DNR took another walk through and seen the guy ride his PWC into the swimming area and on the bank... Out comes another ticket for him. Another 300 plus.. At this time the guy is irate. Th DNR told him to remove the PWC from the water, do not ride it on the lake again and if he has any more problems he'll be arrested.
Our boys don't fool around in this county.

 

[mphy98]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

I think we should all mount paint ball turrets on the bow's of our boats and have fun with them.

New Water Sport

You made me spit out my soda with that one!!!! Great job. and,,,, where can I get one of those???????????????

 

[BumbleBeeTuna]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Sigh... I honestly get a little tired of boaters whining about jet skis.

Boaters need to understand a jet ski is not the same as your boat. A nice liesurely cruise on a boat may be great, on a jet ski its BORING. Expecting them to not have fun is rather silly.

On top of that, the jet ski can out accelerate almost any boat, turn far quicker, etc. Comparing a jet ski to a boat is like comparing a motorcycle to a semi truck, they are not the same and are used completely differently. In a semi keeping a 500' interval makes sense, in a motorcycle its silly and no one does it.

Honsetly, so what if a jet ski is jumping your wake? Is it hurting you or your boat? Is it any different really than a motorcycle "drafting" behind a semi? Yeah I know, there could, maybe, possibly, on a bad day, be an accident. Shrug... Stuff Happens. As to speed, um, so what? I would rather be passed by a jet ski doing 60 than a 35' go fast boat kicking up a 3' wake.

From what I have seen, "some" boaters have a tendancy to be snobs when it comes to jet skis and quite often jealous that someone can ea few grand and be able to outperform their $70K boat so they find a reason to whine about them...

PWCs behaving maturely is not the issue. They can have plenty of fun while not endangering others. The problem lies with most of them finding their enjoyment in operating too close and aggressively. You're comparing apples to oranges.

 

[BumbleBeeTuna]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Who gets to define "too close and too aggresively", boaters or jet skiers???

The larger, more difficult to maneuver, and usually more expensive vessel should.

I vote for a universal sign to notify PWCs whether we're comfortable with their close presence or not.

Thumbs up = You're okay where you're at

Middle finger = You get the idea

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Who gets to define "too close and too aggresively", boaters or jet skiers???

I've seen several incidents where jet skiers were "splashing" people in boats, normally people they even knew by running right at the boat and whipping a 180. Unfortunately, sometimes the ski doesn't always GRAB like they thought it would and they ended up hitting the boat they intended to splash. That kind of fun should be stopped. I love riding my ski as well as running in the boat, but I find no reason to harass others while doing either. It is also annoying to have someone 30 ft behind you when you are at the lake to GET AWAY. It's no different than being tailgated in a car.

I highly doubt people are jealous of someone running faster than their boat, as the utility of a boat surpasses that of a jet ski. I can tube an ski behind either, but as a skier I prefer the object pulling me not have any give when I'm pulling hard on a slolam! Also, the boat owners will be laughing all te way to the gas pump while the jet skiers are burning though gas like a twin engine cruiser. Limiting yourself to 2 passengers on a jet ski puts you on par with 16ft bass boats, and much less comfortable. Nothing to be envious about there!

 

[Bondo]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

Who gets to define "too close and too aggresively", boaters or jet skiers???

Ayuh,.... It's already pretty well defined by the Law.... 200' is 200'....

I live on Lake Ontario,... There's Millions,+ Millions of acres of Water to play in,...
I Don't need some Dip$h!t Hot Rodding around my boat when I'm cruising or fishing,...
Nor do I want the Moron playing around My waterfront....

200' from shore, or other boaters is Not alot to ask,... Is It,..??

Btw,.... Paintballs leave Evidence,.... Good ole Limestone Rocks don't....

 

[rrhodes]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

I can say the same things for many boaters, It is not the Jetski itself that I dislike. It is the people that have zero knowledge of boater safety or laws, buy a Jetski and go nuts.. The ones that do not understand the term Nowake and make pulling the boats out at the ramp a nightmare. The ONE that tried to splash a raft up and hit the swim platform on a boat resulting in sending a woman to the hospital with a broken leg last weekend on Lake Murray.

I have seen similar actions with boats but not as many. It seems like there a 10 idiot Jetski operators for every idiot boater I see.

I don't really care if one is jumping my wake at a safe distance however when they cross my bow at 50 feet while I am at full throttle I have a problem. If they want to put themselves in danger good for them... It is when they put others in danger that I have a problem with them.

 

[capt sam]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

I've had my life endangered by more big boat operators than I have from PWC's. Having said that, alot of PWC operators are young guys and young guys tend to speed and perform risky moves, it is what it is.

 

[Hitech]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

I think we should all mount paint ball turrets on the bow's of our boats and have fun with them.

New Water Sport

Those Q Loaders will limit you to a 100 rounds. Need a warp feed instead!

Sorry, couldn't help myself...

 

[roscoe]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

My boat creates a decent wake and seems to attract the fleas.
I can't out run them, but I can cast a 6" spoon pretty far.
If I can snag 'em, there's the proof they were within the legal buffer zone of a fisherman.

And if they cross my bow, I won't be slowing down or swerving.

 

[SoTexGuero]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

At Canyon Lake, most of the people with their PWCs don't pay attention to the "no wake zone", in fact, they're always "doing doughnuts" and 180s next to the loading ramp. It pisses me off, but I'm relunctant to say anything because my little guys and wife are with me....I just stay cool and get away from the ramp as soon as possible. Like someone stated in this forum...."you can't fix stupid".

 

[45Auto]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

And if they cross my bow, I won't be slowing down or swerving.

You're big, you're bad, we all afraid of you!

Pretty stupid statement to make on a public forum (or on any computer anywhere, as far as that goes). Make sure your liability insurance is paid up, and please post if you run someone down on a jetski and chop them up so we can follow the aftermath. Should be interesting and costly - you think boating is expensive, try going to court. Cheap lawyers run $200 / hour, there should be at least a couple of hundred billable hours to defend you. The court battles should be enlightening. Your friends saying they cut in front of you versus their friends saying they were just riding along minding their own business will be classic. Especially if they manage to bring something like the quote by you above up in court.

I'm not too fond of jetski's myself, but I will slow down or swerve to keep from killing or hurting someone.

 

[ziggy]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

personally, i can live with the jetskis. ya, there a nuisance sometimes, but at least i can see them. it's the wind surfers (sail boards) that worry me. the ones with the clear sails and only small amounts of color to them. they move fast, are pretty maneuverable. and ya can't see them till yer right near them...

as for the pwc. it's just the lack of them following the rules. like no wake and too close. but i see just as many boats doing that as i do pwc.

even sailboats aren't exempt from bad behavior. i've seen more than one sailboater that thinks they own the lake cause they have the right of way. i've been out just floating around, not under power, no one at the helm. and these folks try to get as close to you as possible if your in there way. i've had them go by so close i think i could reach out and touch their boat... and that's to close...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

**deleted**

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: PWC counseling needed......

I'm not against PWCs
I've been on them and they are a lot of fun. So I say let them ride.

But there is a line like has been said before. Some people think just because they have a small craft and is maneuverable, they can go anywhere. Yeah I'd be pissed too If I'm fishing a nice hole and a jetski comes zipping by me at 40 mph 50ft from my boat.. I don't think we are condemning all the PWCs and drivers.. Just the idiotic ones. By all means, use them, but use them safely.