Return of the jetskis!

[Bad Obsession]

I have already seen one jetski on the Potomac River this year. I hate those darn things. They fly around Monroe Bay and ludicris speed 15 feet from the boat dock. It is crazy. Last year I saw a guy with an enfant (Had to be around 8 months) going around on a jetski.Jetskis have to be the worst invention. They are annoying and the people, at least in my area, that are operating them have no clue to the rules concerning marine craft and they have no business operating an inflatible raft (not to mention a machine that is cabible of 50 mph).What are you experiences with these evil devices?

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

Crash Last Friday

Was at the sand bar north of Anclot Key last Friday and an a--hole on a jet ski ran into a guys blue water fishing boat anchored at the beach. Needless to say it was quite a show the owner of the fishing boat put on with the head of the jet skey driver *666Isn't it time to ban those things *yks

 

[Ctskip]

Come on guys

I think they are one of the greatest inventions since the automobile. They are fun. period. I wish I had two! It'd be like outlawing motorcycles. Lots of people don't like them for the same reason. I like em. Sure, there are the few that are jerks and shouldn't be going to school unattended, never mind left alone for any length of time. Isn't it like surfing? It's that independent feeling, one gets doing something for them selves. I'm not fond of powerful motorboats. But I understand that many responsible people own and operate them in a orderly manner. It's those that operate them in a wild and reckless manner, that seem to ruin it for most. JMHO. Want to see a jerk? Just add alcohol. Instant jerk. Yet many drink responsibly. Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[Phil]

NJ

The best part about jet skis is your chance of dying is inversely proportional to you boating IQ. It's kind of self correcting, like durnk driving in St Thomas.

 

[Jim]

Phil, that was rude but has a basis in fact...

you have to educated and trained to ride a PWC. We are storing our son while he is in Germany. He is a Air Force Mech. and his PWC goes 80 MPH. It is a rocket on the water. It is like rding a tarpedo and fun!

 

[tcrespo]

I've got both...

I've got an older Sea Doo PWC and I own a 27' Hunter. It's not the vehicle - it's the person. My entire family has been through the boater safety course (my requirement - not allowed on the PWC until that was done). I consider myself to be a very safe boater, I follow all the rules, and as an added courtesy, when I'm on the PWC, I never loiter in one place for very long.It's all about common sense - I've seen plenty of jerks on the PWC. Remember, it's not the gun, it's the gun owner. Now, feel free to fire away at me...

 

[Paul Akers]

You've got Both?

There are some responsible driver's our there. Just like power boats. But it is that percentage who don't know what hey have in their hands. Give them a chart and they will be lost. That is, if they can read one! It's the old turn-on-the-key-and-go attitude that gets me. I was stopped by one last year looking for a certain spot (an air show). All I could tell him was to follow the planes!

 

[Landsend]

I agree...I think a lot of perfectly normal people become

crazed when they are riding jetskis. They have the ability to spoil a perfectly lovely afternoon anchorage.Maybe thats what paint ball guns are for.

 

[tcrespo]

life changes

I started off as a power boater, bought a PWC to have that motorcycle feel (I'm not a bike rider - too much fear of dying). As I've aged, I've moved into sailboats (and found out they are my true love). I kept the PWC because it's paid for, and now and then my old bones like to have a thrill. I probably only take it out 4 or 5 times a year (if given the choice between sailing and riding the PWC, the sailboat will win every time).My point is (as I'm sure you know) - don't blame the machine - blame the inexperienced rider. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people at the dock, and the owner of the PWC just tosses the lanyard to his guest and off they go. Terrifies me every time.

 

[Landsend]

The difference is that if you hotdog it on a motorcycle...

it's just a matter of time before you end up in the ER. On a jetski you can act the fool for a long time andwith out the punitive result.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Hate jetskis...

but they do look like fun.Nothing like being on a quite Maine lake doing some fishing to get away from it all... then have one of these Hells Angel wanna bees circle in on you.Keep'em in Massachusetts... where they belong.

 

[CharlieCobra]

Ya don't see them much on Puget Sound but they

sure tear up the lakes around here. Most of it is just ignorance, drunkardness but not so much folks being mean spirited. I've spoken with a couple of hotrodders in the dock area who had no clue they were upsetting boats or what a no wake zone meant. I've never had one backtalk me yet.

 

[RichH]

Ill take a jetskier anyday ....

over an A-hole in a large stinkpot that comes close aboard with bow up and pushing huge wakes. If you ever travelled the ICW or other restricted channel waters .... you know EXACTLY what I mean. There's all types of A-holes out there ... jet skiis, stinkpotters ... and some rag baggers too. The faster the jet ski the less the wake.

 

[Paul Akers]

A few years' ago, ..

...a charter boat captain of a schooner was charged for firing a flare gun at a jet ski "harrasser" who kept haunting the guests on the boat by continually "Buzzing" them in Pulpit Harbor, Maine. I can't remember the outcome, but I don't think it fared too well for the captain (or the jet skier). But - things have changed up there!

 

[LooseDiamond]

A shot

off the bow works wonders!!!

 

[KorculaChris]

Perhaps a "distance off" rule?

In Croatia, jetsks are not allowed closer than 100 meters from the shore except for at the beginning and end of the ride, at slow speed. The police ticket them as though they were driving a car recklessly.

 

[Deadline]

Ironic

Some years on the York River off the Chesapeake Bay, a teenage boy on a jet ski broadsided a motorboat and died. The name of the boat he hit was Boat Rx.

 

[Timo42]

Lure them 3 miles offshore

and have a high pressure pump on your blackwater discharge, 2 birds with one stone. ;D Tim

 

[dancing bear]

Retaliation

It seems to me, if the jetski performs the "circle the wagons" manuever, I should be allowed to defend myself.

 

[TimCup]

I know I'm gonna take some heat for this!

While I like timo42's humor, I can't agree with those that have issues with the noise, or the small wake they create. I can't afford to buy my own lake or bay, so I share the ones I use. I would take offense if someone told me to turn off the engine and hoist sail because my noise was disturbing them. My kids have pwc, and ride fast. Real fast. It scares the heel outta me, but aren't they entitled to enjoy the resources too? As long as they aren't endangering anyone else (and yes, there are a few idiots out there, but I'm not willing to paint with such a wide brush as some), and are consciencious about others, I'm thinking "live and let live". And like CharlieCobra said, I've met alot, and never had a problem- all nice people. Of course, I think 8 knots is fast, so what do I know!