Have you had a launch like this?

PDS · Jan 17, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Where are you Sloopy? I am replying on behalf of you. PDS

SS MAYFLOAT · Jan 17, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

They say those SUV's have everthing on them. Looks to me that he forgot to put in the drain plug! Wow! just think, if the SUV had a sun roof for him to stick his head out of, and he left the PWC inside, he could have been one of those stories about why his PWC couldn't get up on plane. He forgot to unhook the SUV.....

ebbtide176 · Jan 23, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

LOL good one SSMayfloat

rgp · Jan 24, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Those are great digital pictures. Worthy of a prize (someplace). Here in Minnesota at this time of year we do things a bit different. Not necessarily humorous, but different. We run cars, trucks and SUVs into the water also. Only we take a slightly different approach. First we drive out onto the ice until we find open water or some thin ice and then we plop them right in. Unfortunately the story doesn't make the news until a family member calls the police indicating that a loved one and their vehicle did not return from an ice fishing trip yesterday. Weeding out the stupid doesn't only apply to fisher-men/women. Two days ago a couple of teen agers on a date (at night) decided to take their car onto a Minneapolis lake. They plopped into open water. This has been an unusual winter for us. No snow and the lakes haven't frozen very well. Anyway. the girl made it out of the water and onto the ice but froze to death before she could get to safety. Scubba divers pulled the boy out of the lake the next day. Our Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and our Sheriff Departments have found it necessary to purchase air boats because there has been so much activity this winter reclaiming bodies out of our Minnesota lakes. Anyway, "keep smiling" the man says "things could get worse". So he kept smiling and sure enough, things got worse.

Scoop · Jan 27, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

RGP, a tragic stairy that is happening way too much this year. Wisconsin has had more snowmobile deaths due to the sled breaking through the water than deaths from being drunk and hitting a tree. Very unusual. I saw some going down a river before this big cold period. they were doing 65 or so. they were going faster than I was in my car.

go-fishing · Jan 27, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

NoSleep et al: From the official website of the Oregon Marine Board: "If you are: 30 or younger and plan to operate a powerboat greater than 10 hp; plan to supervise youth age 12-15; are 12-15 and operate any size powerboat; you'll need your Boater Education Card before operating your boat this year. " Although not strictly speaking a license, to get the card you must take an (Oregon) approved boater education course and pass the final exam; you can opt out of the class by taking a more extensive exam (available online) from the Marine Board. The card costs $10. Tourists from out-of-state are exempt for 60 days. Holders of a current Coast Guard Operators License, or Commercial Fishing Licenses are exempt. The minimum age (30 for 2003) will go up every year until everyone is covered in 2009 We got this new requirement (I actually like it) at the same time that the state reiterated that PWC's are powerboats, and that all the rules (safe operation, equipment, noise, wake, etc) that apply to powerboats of simiilar size, apply to PWC's. We also require that PWC operators under 18 must be certificated and those under 16, must be under the IMMEDIATE supervision of a properly certificated adult (18+). That went into effect several years ago. If I remember correctly, we now also require children under the age of 12 to wear (not just have, but wear) the appropriate PFD when aboard a powerboat (an electric trolling motor does make it a powerboat.) Coast Gaurd certified, large, passenger craft, ferries, etc. are exempted. The Marine Board apparently doesn't have the authority to regulate boats under 16' which powered solely by human (oars, paddles) or wind, otherwise the rule would apply there also. This certainly won't eliminate idiocy from our waters, but we hope it will help limit the death and destruction caused by sheer naivete of otherwise intelligent and good-hearted people. More information is available at: www.boatoregon.com/Education/questions.html

sloopy · Jan 27, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

I'm here!!! I'm here!!! and I say your 35!

trollhole · Jan 28, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

LOL! Way to go Sloopy. But your wrong.

wswaneyw · Feb 5, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

I have no problem with pwc's just as long as they are kept in the bath tubs where they belong!

Seaboo2 · Feb 5, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Hey.... Lighten up y'all..... I own a PWC (and 2 boats too, so don't cut me yet). and an SUV. You know... It's the darnest thing, I've never sunk my SUV launching my pwc. I agree with RGP, it's just natures way of weeding out the stupid ones so they don't reproduce.

Reel Appeal · Feb 5, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Ooops!I think the third pic says it all with the guy standing there with his mouth wide open,don't you?At least they can ride the waverunner home.Where is that location?Mediteranean?

CalicoKid · Feb 5, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Funny pictures but I believe they are in reverse-sequence. That SUV has a tow-strap attached and the dudes are pointing shoreward in a "giver heck" manner. There is no one in the SUV. There is a trailer too, under water.

Homerr · Feb 8, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

ROFLMAO!!! Man I needed that laugh! Now there's a good way to get rid of those pesky gas-eatin', Ozone depleteing SUV's !! I would like to have heard what they told the insurance company? This one falls under the same category as the one on the Darwin Award site called, "The dog and the Jeep Cherokee" LOL LOL H.

Gadgetman · Feb 8, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Im part of a lake assoc. that last year had so many complaints about pwc's that I suggested we set aside 1/2 of the lake for them,and the other 1/2 for the fisherman.The fisherman loved the idea but the pwc owners didn't want the bottom half. I don't care what they say I thought it was a good idea!

sloopy · Feb 8, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

lol gad that was funny

Gadgetman · Feb 8, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

No whats funny is when one of those guys jumps your wake at 60 mph and sticks that rig in the water like a lawn dart,and the rider skips across the water like a flat rock. All laughter aside,it's getting worse every year.Im afraid that im going to run over one of those guys sometime.

Franki · Feb 10, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

I hate PWC owners that don't also own boats.. Reason is most of them have no idea of the rules, and most of them don't care... In Queensland, (australia) if it has a motor on it, and it floats, you need a license... If licenses didn't always become a revenue raiser for the government, I'd be all for the idea.. but in Australia, whenever they start charging for something, the $$ dollar signs appear in their eyes and it becomes a revenue raiser, it goes up and up and up to whatever limit they think people will stand for.... So I think that a license should not be compulsary.. however a certificate of boating competence definately should be.. A certificate that proves you know the rules, and that you know how to handle a boat/PWC... and it should be revokable for those that break the rules more then once.. (so you have to do the course again to get it back.) My boat has many scratches in the hull gelcoat from being bounced off the trailer while half on because d!ckheads on PWC went past the stern at WOT... I hate them.. PWC are not even allowed to be in the same part of the river here as the water skiers unless they are loading/unloading or towing a skier.. but do you think any of these w@nkers know that??? They should be beaten with sticks, then beaten some more, and if they havent' sunk their SUV it should be sunk for them,, to provide mooring points for the boaters... Next time my skeg hits something, I am gonna check and see if its an SUV...

rgds frank

Franki · Feb 10, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

Just thoght I'd comment on my comment: In Queensland, (australia) if it has a motor on it, and it floats, you need a license... By that discription, the SUV doesn't need a license..

rgds Franki

sundancer270 · Feb 21, 2003

Re: Have you had a launch like this?

I ran over a PWC & rider. I was running about 25 or 30mph land on my Port about 30 yards. I looked to my starboard and a JetSki came up on me. He was staying up with me, not passing but kept getting closer and closer to me. I was running out of water on my port , trying to give him all the room he needed. Now I'm 15 ft. from shore. I powered down to let him get the F#$% away from me. He then turned and before I knew what happened he hit me right where I was Driveing. I turned the Boat FULL starboard & Killed the engine. He & the jet ski were now under my Boat. I thought I killed the little F@#$er. Then I see the jet ski floating up, a second later he came up. I asked him if he was OK. HE Laughed started the jet ski and rode off. I was haveing a Heart attack ! After I saw the " Big Ding " he put in the side of my Boat. I wish I'd Killed the little *******. Haaaa

Have you had a launch like this?

Petty Officer 1st Class

Admiral

Commander

Cadet

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Cadet

Commander

Chief Petty Officer

Petty Officer 3rd Class

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Chief Petty Officer

Lieutenant Commander

Commander

Cadet

Commander

Cadet

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Seaman Apprentice