Im new to the whole sailing thing, I started this last summer, but I have grown up on boats my entire life, so I have learned and know the laws concerning right of way. I dont know about anywhere else, but in my community, I seem to be the only one who knows these laws... what is the proper manner to deal with speed boats and jet skis that do not know the laws? And is it like this everywhere else?

Yeah, they can be a real hassle. Almost makes you wish you had to get a license to drive a boat.

I'm fortunate that the lake where I sail doesn't have too many of them, but the last lake they were everywhere. I would just glare at them and wish they'd go to the other side of the lake. The wakeboarding boats would cruise around making their wake and then the jet skis would zip around playing on the wake and the lake would just be all choppy and slow.

'Course now the lake I'm on develops 18-24" swells any time teh wind is up because the prevailing wind direction is the long way down the lake and Abilene Sailing Association is at the predominantly-lee side of the lake. So now I'm learning to sail through big swells.

well, i would mostly point out their mistakes incredibly sarcasticly... i also resorted to attempting to hit them... i jibed at a jetskier, but i dont think this is the best solution here... but, i think there is a big enough sailing community that we could make a law forcing motor boaters to get a license... in the mean time however, we may have to resort to dressing up like pirates with trifold hats and swords and put pirate flags up on mast and start yelling things like "YAR!!!!" to scare them away, forcing the right of way laws... or am i just crazy?

I remember some years ago seeing hull mounted heat seeking missle launchers on a Hobie 16.

Pour a 10lb bag of Irish potato's of the back of the boat next time you see em' coming,so they can suck em' up in the intakes . Probably won't work but its worth a try.

i like the idea for the torpedo thing... does anyone know if those are race legal???

I think that's actually somewhere on this website. (The hull-mounted Sidewinder) It was an "On the Wire" feature. Very funny; pretty decent Photochops.

Of course that wouldn't work in real life because Sidewinders are too heavy.

On the Wire story by Bill Mattson - 12 O'clock with tone



These are hosted by thebeachcats.com

Thanks guys...I havn't laughed like that in a long time
Really made my day

i figured it out... there will be a point system, if you hit a tuber, thats worth 5, waterskier or wakeboarder is worth 10, a motor boat is worth 20 and jetskiers are worth 50, who can rack up the most points in a day? and if you happen to be sailing with a crew, and they can board and take over another watercraft, thats worth 100 points, the courts will never believe someone saying that a bunch of sailboats has it out for them...

Thanx Matt, that is what I was talking about!

PWC's are banned in the shores of Dubai (thank god), it was getting out of hand a few months ago where rental jetski's were off the shores of Jumerah.. the Government banned them (think it had to do with some morons getting hurt, AL Mumzar shores were their favorit spot (then got banned as well) and a month ago you could buy anyone of them hope they dont ever get sold.. A new law is being made were Jetski's off Jumerah will be allowed ONLY if it was regesterd with the Police maybe get a number plate or something you can report them.

I honestly still untill this day do not see the joy of those jetski's

i see how they are enjoyable to the younger crowds, like myself, and i do think they are fun, but i dont go around cutting off boats and driving like a dumbass... and i still know and abide by right of way laws, though i only ride jetskis like once in a blue moon...

we just bought a 35 ft. mono, and every time I speak to friends outside the country, they ask "dont you need a licence to sail that??" and I answer "Not in the US". It's amazing to me that in a country where you need to take out permits and licences to change a lightbulb, they will let ANYONE drive a boat.

Ohio requires all young boat operators (boats over 10hp) to attend a safety seminar. No one under 16 can operate a PWC without adult supervision. https://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/laws/502.htm#1
Jack

Just go to your local pawn shop and buy a paintball gun. This will be a perfect weapon for on the water defense. As soon as the jetskier gets wet, the evidence disappears. If you really want a kick, freeze the paintballs........

Trey
N20 873
Layline.com

the only problem i foresee with that idea is that the paintballs wont stay frozen all day long... you could make a holster and everything so you can even shoot out on the wire!

Wrist rocket, lead sinker weights....good aim, wammooo!

http://www.slingshotworld.com/

Jack,

I think that's great, but I wonder what the reasoning is for allowing someone (like myself) to operate a (somewhat) complex and potentially dangerous craft without absolutely any formal training at all. I know my insurance company had a problem with this. Why wouldn't the state? Although it works against me, I think licences should be required for certain boats, for kids AND adults.

I think I'll move this topic over to the Gen Discussion forum for opinions.