Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

shane1 · May 3, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Well that will teach the non voters who own PWC. I used to own a PWC. I never understood all the drama between boaters and PWCers. I did my thing and stayed out of their way but would occationaly catch some air off their wake. So does anybody truly know why some boaters dislike PWCers. How about you BIG E? Shane

DJ · May 3, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

I do not hate PWC's, I've ridden them myself and had a blast. I just do not like the attitudes of some of the people that ride them. They are MUCH quicker than a boat and people can be obnoxious on them quicker than they can otherwise. Also, many who ride them have no desire to learn more about marine etiquette and courtesy. I've found many to be AAA+++ personalities with no consciences. A product of our new ME society.

bruoff · May 4, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

It ain't a thing problem, it's a people problem! I've owned and played with, (used) every type of water vehicle from an 8' Minimax Hydroplane to a cruising sailboat. Any or all can be a menice and can get you killed. I now have a couple of jet powered toys that we enjoy. Along with a couple of prop boats. My town is now wanting to make more and more of the Anclote River a No Wake zone. Real "nice" idea. In this part of the world, there is little to no enforcement on the water or the roads. Therefore, only those of us who were raised to obey the law do so. Go to the boat ramp and watch people come in and leave at full tilt,not even considering there effect on those at the dock or trying to load or unload. At least when we're on the Ski or in the little jet boat we can get out of the way.

Best Bet: Go to the Gulf on Monday-Wednesday

Deerdog · May 4, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Jetskiers and why boaters get pissed: Shane, apparently you were responsible. Unfortunately it is people like Djohns19 mentions that cause the problems. Upon further study you will find in most cases the people: - are not old enough to even drive - some states are now cracking down on that - only care about their gratification and dont care about the situation it may cause for others - such as pulling out in front of a boat pulling two skiers in a turn. The driver of the jet ski thought it was "really rad man, like wayyyy knarly" It is a good thing there were not firearmns in the the boat or he would have gotten something even more knarly. he was a punk!!! - think they have the right of way at all times. they think the boaters should react to them because they are smaller and faster. I actually had one of these idiots tell me this. I told him that it really wouldnt matter after I ran over his 800 jet ski with my 3000 lb boat. he wouldnt be around to tell about it. Now with that said. We have a nice boat dock that we dock out boats at. it is in a cove. These idiots, despite being asked not to, feel they have to come into the cove right in front of the docks and do doughnuts - beating the hell out of the sides of everyones docked boats (yes we use bumpers but they only do so much). When we are trying to get beginning skiers started they will come in and "catch waves" and do not care about the conditions is creates for beginners who are trying to learn. I guess that should about cover it. Deerdog

skier · May 4, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

I have seen that happen, and I chased then down and got the registration numbers and turned them in and also turned them into our insurance co. cause (At least in CA.) you are responsilbe for any damage your wake causes. Deerdog, Is this a private cove? You might want to talk to your other home owners in the cove and get a log-boom and close the cove off and put spikes on top of the logs so they can't just run over them. then have a log that you can open when you want to go out of the cove. Just a thought. Craig

FlyBoyMark · May 5, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Here in the south Florida area we have tons of PWC..I think they are the coolest things around...BUT...the real problem is LACK of courtesy that these individuals show Usually around the boating ramp is the biggest problems.....personally when they are doing donuts and swamping my boat from water over the transom during launching...I get real obnoctious and start publicly humiliating them in front of thier friends all watch and lecturing them about rudeness and inconsideration not to mention the Florida laws against what they are doing within 300' of the ramp. ALL of the time the problem ends immediately...for all of the boaters at the ramp....at least till I'M gone......Hold them accountable and do not be afraid to say something to them......

Deerdog · May 5, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Craig, Unfortunately, it is cove on a large public lake. Most of the time they are just kids. Turning them in to the law dont do much good there as we have tried that. We have also spoken to their parents who really dont seem to care. thanks for the suggestions though. I would love to blow a hole in the bottom of one with a 30-06 but then I would be the one in hot water. Deerdog

ebbtide176 · May 5, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

ebbtide176 · May 5, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Franki · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Hi Guys, i am from Australia, and I am of the opinion that PWC's shouldn't be illegal, but they should be regulated (need a licience to run one, and take a boating course before allowed for example), because so far I have not met a single responsible user of one over here.. all of them don't seem to realise that it is a boat, like any other and the rules apply, my hull is damaged from jumping off the trailer when half on becaues some w@nker went past WOT 2 meters behind my boat.. and they do it on purpose.. I tried to hit the last one with an oar.. (I missed, but its just as well as I'd have got sued, thats our sucky legal system) There are lots of dumb boaties as well, but they are bigger vessels and don't come anywhere near as close as the jetskies come. so I refuse to get out of their way now, if they choose to not obey the law and get too close, lets see how a ton+ of reinforced fiberglass over the top of their toy goes.. then I will sue then for any repairs necesary because it was their fault.. I have a some serious damage in the gelcoat of my hull thanks to those w@nkers and am through messing around. On a side note to the above, we have gun laws here, which also suck.. but we have very few boat laws, you are not required to have a boat licence in my state, and I can run any engine I want, no matter how old or what it runs on... So my 30 year old 2 stroke is safe for a while longer,,, unless I run over a PWC that is..

regards Frank

DJ · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Franki, I had a similar experience. I was tied up to the courtesy dock and was leaning over the back of my boat making sure my transducer (depthfinder) was down. A smart$%^ decided it would be neat to trim up his nozzle and blast me from 5 feet away. It hit me sqaure in the chest and I went down against the flip back seat of my center console-cracking a rib. I was sore for a long time. Lucky for me the smart$%^& didn't see the Park Ranger standing at the paystation for the launch ramp. He ticketed the PWC'r and then called the Sherriff who arrested HER for DUI. All this was completely unprovoked. I probably could have sued but I dispise lawyers.

dhammann · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

I have nothing against PWC's but if the government would go after the violaters we could make a heluva dent in the national debt.

Franki · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Isn't it great when they get whats coming to them??? gives me an all over wonderfeeling

but I must admit, its not just PWC'ers,, I rented a big houseboat for my girlfriends b'day for a weekend, and went for a few days cruising up and down the river.. then we came to a wide section and a pair of lowlifes in 18foot runabouts, started flying past at WOT less then 7 meters away,, in a two story house boat the result was very rough, a heap of glasses and other stuff in the boat got broken, (even in their protective holders) and other damage was done.. they didn't get theirs, but they are bound to at some stage, just wish I was there to see it.

regards Frank

ajp · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

I hate to be the 100th post on this but, The PWC'S are a lot of fun to ride and I have ridden one once. I did find that it is very different from a boat. When I drive my boat, it is like a car. I am totally conscience of all the other boats and PWC's around me. I am in a constant state of attention to where I am going. When on a PWC, I have tunnel vision. I am looking at the water in front of me. Just like riding a motocross bike. I have 2 issues. 1. I would never let children(of any age) take a boat out and do what the PWC'ers do. 2. We segregate off road motorcycles to out of the way places. Why not the PWC's. Of course at most lakes the PWC'ers want to ride where all the people and boats are. Go out in the middle of the lake by themselves. Nah, lets ride 20 ft from the swimming area. Lets do donuts and splash someone.

Hooty · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

I think I posted this before but that's what those big ole 1 oz. lures with all the great big trebble hooks are for. c/6 Hooty

Franki · May 8, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

hmm, I wish I hadn't missed with the oar,, I would have become a boating legend

and I could have posted some detailed insights into the effect of 15 kg of oak on the head of irrisponsible PWC'ers.. regards frank

GarageGuy42 · May 9, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

I know this subject is getting old and the complaints you gents have with PWC's are VERY valid. On the missouri lake I boat on the legal age to ride is 14. I have one that will be turning 14 this year and he thinks he's home free now but I have different news for him. A lot of the problems I see are the young kid's and the parent's with more money than sense that just turn them loose and say have fun. Give a kid a machine that will do 60 in 100yds. and they will be just another death statistic. Which by the way there are at least 5 deaths every boating season due to PWC's on this lake alone. I love mine, but there are alway's the dumba**es out there to deal with. On my lake you will get out of the way or get run down. I think it's an unwritten law, but that's the way it is and I can live with it. Now I know what a opossum feel's like.

Rocnat4 · May 9, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

My cabin cruiser is like a magnet to PWC's (People Without Concern) due to the wake I produce at cruising speed. It's not that I really care what happens to the jetters by jumping the wake but they cant see or dont watch what is coming on the other side of my boat. We boat on the mississipi which tends to move traffic like a highway My solution is simple, when they start eyeballing my wake and taking off full throttle (we call them wake pirates), I slow down to a crawl and kill the wake. They look like a puzzled dog who just chased a flashlight beam around the living room (dog owners, you know what I mean!) They usually move on to annoy someone else. Despite my general dislike of PWC's, banning these is a threat to all our freedoms. I do support more agressive minimum operator ages and licensing requirements however (boats as well). There is no room for 14 year olds to be driving a 50+ mph watercraft.

GarageGuy42 · May 9, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

To all those who want to bend, spindle or mutilate the dreaded PWC riders/drivers that get to close when they are wake jumping. Why don't you just throw out some plastic bags from Walmart or the grocery behind you. At least you will be able to watch there bike turn to toast when you plug there intake. It doesn't take long when you are cranking 7k rpm. It is usually a done deal before you figure something is wrong. It would beat clocking one in the head with a board and having the water patrol crawling up your a**. I had my first experience with "water rage" last year with a couple of S**theads that where following about 25' behind while tubing. They were able to outrun me but they had a pretty good idea what was on my mind. You would be pretty surpised how fast you can pull a kid in when you have a taste for blood. Have fun and ruin somebody's day!

Franki · May 9, 2002

Re: Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

Thats not a bad idea.. get about 10 plastic bags.. tie then via fishing line in varing lengths behind your boat.. then troll for PWC's when they come to jump you wake... you could score bigtime, but as many people have said, most of them are undersize and you'd have to throw them back..

rgds Frank

Ban on PWC's-Thank You Uncle Sam!!

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