Jetski behavior

[RicMic]

Re: Jetski behavior

Obviously your slightly biased opinion... Sometimes those mindless toys are exactly what you need! There are a fair number of boats that could be applied to also, btw. (as well as MANY other vehicles... how many motorcycles are actually driven for practical purposes? Most people driving a cycle might spend the vast majority of the miles just aimlessly driving around, just 'because'...)


pwc's are entertainment by going around in circles if you will, but they can also be simple transportation, as well as a cheap way just to get out on the water.

Simple observation, I agree with you pwc's are not the only mindless toys. Most people don't need more ways to avoid useful thought.
Transportation? So is a kayak or canoe and then you get exercise without annoying everyone else.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Jetski behavior

Around here, truly a boating community, there aren't that many jet skis, and there is lots of room for them. Times I see them showing off is close in to shore near the beaches where there are lots of people hanging out. So the problem cases compound the problem: they do annoying things if there are lots of people around, and then they annoy more people. They are thick in the tourist areas, though.

FTR I have been around wreckless and annoying morons and thus I understand the animosity.

We have some really cool bay and off shore jet ski fishermen, and people out riding leisurely (like the Honda Gold Wing crowd). one or two zipping around the river out in front of the house is just part of the scene--like the occassional go-fast. I'm just tyhankful that neither are constantly present. Everything in moderation.

My family and I rode around on ATV's once inthe Wyoming mountains--we were slow and quiet, but I could picture how the rowdy crowd on ATV's would be the same as the rowdy jet skiiers.

To me, they may be fun, but they cost as much as a decent sized boat you could use for the same fun, and a whole lot more. You'd need a pair of them IMO for a good time with friends and family. And I use boats for transportation and a whole lot more than just sitting and riding. So as limited as they are, and expensive, they aren't on my list. To each his own.

It's too bad they have to be banned. Like guns, ATVs and stereos, it's not the device it's the operator that needs to be controlled. But I see how it can have to happen.

 

[robcarync]

Re: Jetski behavior

I like boats and skis. I try to not be a jack@ss on it though. I never realized I was like the black sheep of the water community lol. I paid 600 for a beat up ski that lets me ride on the water a little bit...a boat would be nice but as a poor starving college student (and an owner of a 4 cylinder truck with virtually no towing capacity) a jet ski was the only way I could come up with to get on the water regularly other than a kayak or a canoe.

 

[MelodyBay]

Re: Jetski behavior

We have to just accept that there are good drivers and there are bad drivers regardless of what type of PWC/vessel they are on.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Jetski behavior

The problem is that some toys, just invite bad behavior. A jetski on an inland lake is boring in what, ten minutes? And then what? I can go out on a weekday to a large nearby lake and deliberately find a small bay out of the traffic lanes to fish in and within a short amount of time, jetskis will make a 90degree turn from as far away as they can see me, come STRAIGHT to me from a mile away, pull "donuts" right next to me for 5 minutes and then roar off. This happens to EVERYONE and it happens constantly, why?, I don't know, I guess riding in circles out in the middle of the lake is not as entertaining as doing it with an audience. You can say its only a few people and you can say it could be in any watercraft, but the facts are that it happens constantly and it dosn't happen in any watercraft. Lets face it, NOBODY buys a jetski for "cheap transportation", they aren't cheap and they aren't good transportation. Its easy to see why they get banned!

 

[slag]

Re: Jetski behavior

RicMic,

We all won't agree on this subject, so the diatribe is relatively moot.

When I owned jetskis, I'd have boaters come right up to me at full throttle when I was out cruising in a cove and act like they didn't even see me. We also had an area called "Jet Ski Cove", it was even posted on a sign in the area, where jetskiers could hang out and have fun, and invariably we'd have a fisherman or pleasure boater come over and anchor right in the middle of this small cove, and then get pissed when we disturbed their water or made too much noise for them. Gee, who is in the wrong there?

My point is that everyone has the equal right to be out on the water having fun but not at the expense of other's fun. If you see someone acting in a manner that is dangerous, then it is your duty to report that person to the ranger. I've reported jetskiiers for intentionally driving through a gaggle of geese, trying to kill or hurt them, as I've also reported drunk boaters who were acting in unsafe manners. I had one boater charge at me from across the lake, threatening me because my jetski disturbed nature. Kind of humorous because he driving an old bass boat with an outboard that was obviously not tuned up with all the smoking it was doing.

You just won't please everyone.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Jetski behavior

Slag, the diatribe is only moot to the people that don't want to hear about it.
I'm curious, who posted the "jetski cove" sign? Was it an official sign that said jetski's only allowed? If it wasn't then its a moot point, I could post signs all over the lake, saying,"fishermans cove", should I expect everyone, but fisherman to stay out? Those fisherman and pleasure boaters in "jetski cove", were they somehow disturbing you? I've owned boats for around 40 years and I could certainly pick out a few instances of inconsiderate or even illegal behavior in most kinds of watercraft and NO ONE would have a problem with me pointing that out, however if someone points out inconsiderate or bad behavior on jetski's, suddenly some become very defensive, why is that? I think we all know, the truth hurts. By the way, not all bodies of water have "rangers" and most have NO law enforcement of any kind and it shouldn't be up to everyone else to point out what jetski's SHOULDN'T be doing, they already know, they just don't like to hear about it.

 

[mxfever]

Re: Jetski behavior

I call them fruit flies on our lake because when you are skiing, wakeboarding or tubing there is a flock of them that follow you around like little fruit flies. I was able to bait 3 of them last weekend. I noticed the Sheriff at the boat launch and watched where he went to sit and watch on the lake. Well we got the family in the boat and cruised at about 15-20 mph to get a nice wake going. Within minutes 3 jet skits were riding within 50 feet of us. I calmly let them over to where the Sheriff was and BOOM! He got em! Hopefully they get the message!

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Jetski behavior

I've noticed that jetskis can have the allure of a noisy kids toy. So much fun that the person pulling the trigger becomes oblivious to the world around. To the casual observer this is simply annoying and inconsiderate. If it were to happen in the middle of the lake it wouldn't bother me. I'll go fish somewhere else.
On the other hand some people do use jetskis much like a boat and go places on them. When used like that they are barely noticed because they blend in and then fade away in the distance.

Tig,
The problem is that I prefer to fish where the fish are. If I was there first, the jet skiers, water skiers, and anyone else who throw a wake need to stay away. It is just a mater of being fair. First come, first served.

By the way, the problem is not the jet skis, it is (some of) the jet skiers. The jet skis do as they are told to by the drivers.

TerryMSU

 

[slag]

Re: Jetski behavior

Slag, the diatribe is only moot to the people that don't want to hear about it.
I'm curious, who posted the "jetski cove" sign? Was it an official sign that said jetski's only allowed? If it wasn't then its a moot point, I could post signs all over the lake, saying,"fishermans cove", should I expect everyone, but fisherman to stay out? Those fisherman and pleasure boaters in "jetski cove", were they somehow disturbing you? I've owned boats for around 40 years and I could certainly pick out a few instances of inconsiderate or even illegal behavior in most kinds of watercraft and NO ONE would have a problem with me pointing that out, however if someone points out inconsiderate or bad behavior on jetski's, suddenly some become very defensive, why is that? I think we all know, the truth hurts. By the way, not all bodies of water have "rangers" and most have NO law enforcement of any kind and it shouldn't be up to everyone else to point out what jetski's SHOULDN'T be doing, they already know, they just don't like to hear about it.

It's moot because we will never agree on the subject. The sign in question was there before I started going to the lake. Its an official lake sign, routed boards that were screwed up to two posts that were sunk in concrete near the edge of the parking area, overlooking the cove. As I've said before in another thread, cheap jetskis are an entry to boating and more likely to be used by younger people. So the beef isn't really with jetskis, its with some immature people that use them.

"I've owned boats for around 40 years and I could certainly pick out a few instances of inconsiderate or even illegal behavior in most kinds of watercraft and NO ONE would have a problem with me pointing that out, however if someone points out inconsiderate or bad behavior on jetski's, suddenly some become very defensive, why is that?"

The reason people get defensive (and I can't believe I'm having to explain this) is because people like you already have it out for anyone who rides a jetski. They're "mindless toys" and people should be using a kayak or canoe instead (all your words).

You think riding a jetski is boring in 10 minutes and would rather fish. Good for you, I'll disagree. How many jetskis, sitdown and standup, have you ridden?

For the record, I've NEVER ran donuts near a boat or other jetski, tried to impress an "audience" on my jetski, or bothered anyone on purpose with one, so yea, I take it to heart when you say things like "EVERYONE has had jetskiers pull "donuts" right next to them and roar off and it happens "constantly" Nope.. never seen that happen at the lake I go to, and I've been going there since 2000 regularly, mainly on jetskis, but also on boats. You say the facts are that it happens constantly, and I'll respectfully disagree with you at the lake I go to. Maybe its something in your water that turns people into idgits, but around here, we tend to respect our toys and others out on the water. Oh, and for the record, they are cheap and can be a blast to fish off of (I guarantee I can get in closer to the structure than you can in any boat).

 

[Tig]

Re: Jetski behavior

Tig,
The problem is that I prefer to fish where the fish are. If I was there first, the jet skiers, water skiers, and anyone else who throw a wake need to stay away. It is just a mater of being fair. First come, first served.

By the way, the problem is not the jet skis, it is (some of) the jet skiers. The jet skis do as they are told to by the drivers.

TerryMSU

I see your point. Our lake is quite open and I fish deeper water. During summer I don't fish any where near the beaches so jet skis are not much of an issue, for me. I did try a jet ski once. I went way out to the middle of the lake away from all boats and swimmers and played like a kid with a toy. It was fun, but I'd rather windsurf for fun and I rarely do that either.
On your last point I'm not convinced. There is one jerk jet ski around my place. 5 different operators each one inconsiderate or foolish. All the other jet skis seem to just cruise by at a distance.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Jetski behavior

Oh, and for the record, they are cheap and can be a blast to fish off of (I guarantee I can get in closer to the structure than you can in any boat).

Well, there is an absolutely stereotypical (id)Jetski attitude....I can get there so I will....

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Jetski behavior

I've had a couple different jetskis/waverunners over the years, I think the problem with them is that people with no boating knowledge buy them because they are an easy (not really cheap) way to get on the water.. You don't need a big vehicle to tow them, they're easy to tow, launch, store, and the maintenance is pretty simple Like anything, a few morons will ruin it for others and get them banned at area lakes because there isn't enough water patrol to enforce the boating laws.

The only thing I can compare riding a waverunner to is riding a motorcycle.. The feeling of freedom on such a small machine with so much power.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Jetski behavior

The reason people get defensive (and I can't believe I'm having to explain this) is because people like you already have it out for anyone who rides a jetski. They're "mindless toys" and people should be using a kayak or canoe instead (all your words).

You think riding a jetski is boring in 10 minutes and would rather fish. Good for you, I'll disagree. How many jetskis, sitdown and standup, have you ridden?

Slag, first of all, don't misquote me, we both know I never said,"people should be using a kayak or canoe", I did say if all they wanted was exercise, then they could get that from a kayak or canoe. I've never been on any jetski, I have no interest in it, I KNOW I would be bored in ten minutes, so whats the point? I don't "have it out for anyone on jetski's", I really couldn't care any less, jetskiers will do it all to themselves. Like you, they all say its not our problem its everybody elses problem. I heard all those same arguments from cigarette smokers back in the day where airplanes, restuarants, offices etc. were all choked with cigarette smoke, but if a nonsmoker mentioned it, they were told its YOUR problem, now those smokers are standing outside in the rain and snow wondering what happened, they did it to themselves. Jetskiers are doing the same thing to themselves, "its not us, its EVERYBODY else", well everybody else has an easy solution, ban jetski's, problem solved everybody is happy.

 

[slag]

Re: Jetski behavior

Well, there is an absolutely stereotypical (id)Jetski attitude....I can get there so I will....

for crying out loud...its called positive thinking.

 

[slag]

Re: Jetski behavior

Slag, first of all, don't misquote me, we both know I never said,"people should be using a kayak or canoe", I did say if all they wanted was exercise, then they could get that from a kayak or canoe. I've never been on any jetski, I have no interest in it, I KNOW I would be bored in ten minutes, so whats the point? I don't "have it out for anyone on jetski's", I really couldn't care any less, jetskiers will do it all to themselves. Like you, they all say its not our problem its everybody elses problem. I heard all those same arguments from cigarette smokers back in the day where airplanes, restuarants, offices etc. were all choked with cigarette smoke, but if a nonsmoker mentioned it, they were told its YOUR problem, now those smokers are standing outside in the rain and snow wondering what happened, they did it to themselves. Jetskiers are doing the same thing to themselves, "its not us, its EVERYBODY else", well everybody else has an easy solution, ban jetski's, problem solved everybody is happy.

Let's ban guns also since they kill people, right? First you ban the jetskis, then you ban any boat that has a 2 stroke motor, then you ban any boat that doesn't run on batteries, etc etc etc.

Banning isnt the answer. Education and enforcement is.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Jetski behavior

Let's ban guns also since they kill people, right? First you ban the jetskis, then you ban any boat that has a 2 stroke motor, then you ban any boat that doesn't run on batteries, etc etc etc.

I can't believe that you just blabbed the Secret Agenda to the whole world .....

 

[Tig]

Re: Jetski behavior

I guarantee I can get in closer to the structure than you can in any boat.

I'd be ok with this jet ski being close to the structure I fish. Locally we call it the deep hole. Sorry about the shaky vid. First day with the new camera.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Jetski behavior

That's just someone playing around with the geese. My dog chases geese too, but I won't ban her from doing it. I don't see why you were so concerned about these people. You weren't planning on shooting the geese with people out there on the lake were you?

I started riding stand-ups in the 70's when they first came out. I bought my first in '82 and have owned half a dozen stand-ups and raced them, rode for pleasure, etc. I definitely saw the dangers in riding them from the beginning, most of the dangers coming from mindless boaters. In my boat I've had plenty of scary encounters with PWC's, like most of us have who have been on the water long enough. I have a friend who rents PWC's and gives them a short safety course before they go out. The last thing he tells them is " Always watch for other boaters and be aware and alert of your surroundings, and ALWAYS assume everyone out there is drunk and doesn't know how to operate a watercraft". That alone has kept more of them safe than anything else.

I'll take a jet ski ride anytime over a fishing pole. I can't lake fish for more than 10 minutes or I go stir crazy. I love deep sea or stream fishing though. To each his own I say.

I've probably logged over 5000 miles on stand-ups over the years. I've never been in 1 accident or even a close call that was my fault. I've been boating just as long and owned my first boat before my first jet ski. I took the boating safety course in 1980 and still have the certificate. This doesn't really prove anything, but I'm simply stating these facts to show that you can't stereotype people because of what they have an interest in. So, the majority can't ride to save their lives, and don't have a clue I pretty much agree, but don't lop all of us into your personal definition of a jet skier. And "everybody else has an easy solution, ban jetski's, problem solved everybody is happy"???? I can't believe you've been boating as long as you say with a comment like that. It takes knowledge, skill, manners, and just plain common sense to operate anything on the water. There's no way IMO anyone should be operating a water vessel without proper training, just like driving on the street. There just needs to be more control of who can operate on the water, simple as that.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Jetski behavior

That's just someone playing around with the geese. My dog chases geese too, but I won't ban her from doing it. I don't see why you were so concerned about these people.

Right, harassing wildlife is what jetskis are for, man....that video guy should just chill out....

Why should you be expected to control your dog?

And why do so many people dislike jetskis and their riders?