A wave launched the boat 50 feet

[96scarab]

I'm kind of confused. Some folks here are worried about the video being circulated yet they had no problem watching it themselves. If I was a betting man many (If not all) people here have tried to find the video somewhere on the net..

 

[Waffles]

I'm kind of confused. Some folks here are worried about the video being circulated yet they had no problem watching it themselves. If I was a betting man many (If not all) people here have tried to find the video somewhere on the net..

You must be new around these parts partner ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) [emoji117]

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[red ant]

I think some people are confusing the water spray for the actual boat. Growing up boat racing, unfortunately saw many boat crashes, and the water spray is unbelievable at times.

 

[RiverDave]

I'm kind of confused. Some folks here are worried about the video being circulated yet they had no problem watching it themselves. If I was a betting man many (If not all) people here have tried to find the video somewhere on the net..

I am probably the only one that is vocal on here about it not being posted on here.

I have received several phone calls from friends of the deceased asking me to please not let it on here.

I have also received phone calls from those same people in some instances asking me to remove the video from “this guys page or that page.” Unfortunately they don’t have a real firm grasp on how the internet works and are under the impression that I moderate the internet and Facebook, not just this website.

They are grieving and I’m not going to bother educating them on the fact at this time, just try to help out where I can.

 

[red ant]

I saw the video and don't think the driver did anything really wrong. Just a bad accident. Accidents can happen very easily at speed. We have all hit a bad patch of water at 50 MPH and had a small pucker moment. Hit it at 100 plus and it can very easily be a sad situation.

 

[Duffster]

Im very confused why so many want to see the video given people died. I lost a family member due to a horrific accident like this and know first hand how it feels and what it’s like. It’s a very fucked up deal and I’m very sure this incident is under a good size investigation due to all parties tied to it. Shit like this could play out in the courts for years and media should be protected just out of respect to the people involved and the sport.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

For those that have not crashed a boat, trust me, sometimes there is no real explanation. I barrel rolled my race boat in Mission Bay and to this day I really have no idea why shit went down the way it did, I took the lap and turn the same way I had on the previous ten laps, but this time something in the forces of nature and forces of mechanical parts changed and next thing you know your upside down. I was doing 80 and it was over as fast as it happened, never saw it coming, didnt know what happened until I was sitting on the rescue boat. At the speeds they were traveling I am sure it was already too late before they even knew what happened.

 

[red ant]

I am probably the only one that is vocal on here about it not being posted on here.

I have received several phone calls from friends of the deceased asking me to please not let it on here.

I have also received phone calls from those same people in some instances asking me to remove the video from “this guys page or that page.” Unfortunately they don’t have a real firm grasp on how the internet works and are under the impression that I moderate the internet and Facebook, not just this website.

They are grieving and I’m not going to bother educating them on the fact at this time, just try to help out where I can.

As awesome as all social media can be, unfortunately a person can't sneeze without it being posted and shared somewhere. The TV news posts security camera footage of car wrecks on the news, where underage kids have been killed. Is is right, probably not. I think if you pull one crash video down off the site, then take a stand and not allow any future crash videos on the site. EVERYONE has family and friends. This was a terrible accident, a worst nightmare scenario for family and friends. The rumor mill is what it is, and I heard some absolutely outlandish comments. After viewing the video, I don't feel he made a bad mistake. It was just a bad spot of water. We have all hit them and had our pucker moments.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

For those that have not crashed a boat, trust me, sometimes there is no real explanation. I barrel rolled my race boat in Mission Bay and to this day I really have no idea why shit went down the way it did, I took the lap and turn the same way I had on the previous ten laps, but this time something in the forces of nature and forces of mechanical parts changed and next thing you know your upside down. I was doing 80 and it was over as fast as it happened, never saw it coming, didnt know what happened until I was sitting on the rescue boat. At the speeds they were traveling I am sure it was already too late before they even knew what happened.

Same thing with a car. These boats are not really pleasure boats in my mind, they are race boats. Unavoidable things can just happen in any condition, but especially in extreme conditions. It is what you sign up for when you get behind the wheel of something capable of that level of performance. I am sure he was not out there going 10/10ths at that point either, just giving a spirited ride and enjoying the day.

For the speeds these boats can attain, they do not have nearly the safety equipment they should considering it is a "racing" boat.. It ls like taking a streetcar Ferrari to a NASCAR race. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it, things just go bad sometimes.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Im very confused why so many want to see the video given people died. I lost a family member due to a horrific accident like this and know first hand how it feels and what it’s like. It’s a very fucked up deal and I’m very sure this incident is under a good size investigation due to all parties tied to it. Shit like this could play out in the courts for years and media should be protected just out of respect to the people involved and the sport.

We (people) see video every day of people getting injured or dying in accidents, or at the hand of other people. On the news, on social media, on YouTube. Obviously there are emotions there for this indecent as it hits close to home, but it is a fact of modern life.

 

[red ant]

Same thing with a car. These boats are not really pleasure boats in my mind, they are race boats. Unavoidable things can just happen in any condition, but especially in extreme conditions, it is what you sign up for when you get behind the wheel of something capable of that level of performance. I am sure he was not out there going 10/10ths at that point either, just giving a spirited ride and enjoying the day.

For the speeds these boats can attain, they do not have nearly the safety equipment they should considering it is a "racing" boat.. It ls like taking a streetcar Ferrari to a NASCAR race. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it, things just go bad sometimes.

Our toys are bought to be enjoyed. We all know the possible consequences. I always say not if, but when you crash. Be it riding at the track, or desert, driving your car at 120 plus on a deserted road, making a hard pass in your boat. Stuff can go sideways and maybe you didn't do anything wrong, it happens.

 

[Old Texan]

Same thing with a car. These boats are not really pleasure boats in my mind, they are race boats. Unavoidable things can just happen in any condition, but especially in extreme conditions. It is what you sign up for when you get behind the wheel of something capable of that level of performance. I am sure he was not out there going 10/10ths at that point either, just giving a spirited ride and enjoying the day.

For the speeds these boats can attain, they do not have nearly the safety equipment they should considering it is a "racing" boat.. It ls like taking a streetcar Ferrari to a NASCAR race. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it, things just go bad sometimes.

I completely agree with your points. Speed is a freedom but crashes such as this may one day lead to regulations whether we want them or not. My SiL is big into drag racing and is on the Street Outlaws No Prep series. The original Street Outlaws was held on streets that were prearranged but alluded to be not closed off. Several pro drivers like Mike Murrillo were going to participate but the NHRA told them they would be barred from NHRA events and facilities if they raced on the show.

The NHRA's valid point was folks would see these racers and figure it was safe to race on the streets, which we well know is false. Racing is dangerous, even with docile daily drivers.
So the series now is about racing on closed venues. What my SiL is amazed about is how many of the drivers still do not have all the safety gear NHRA sanctioned venues require. Small things like flame retardant driving gloves.

But the point I'm making is, high powered machines break and they too often go out of control in the blink of an eye causing spectacular events. No prep is even more unpredictable and susceptible to crashes.

In no way shape or form am I saying boats should not be free to cruise at maximum speeds nor be limited to what those speeds can be. But we all must realize and be prepared that crashes will happen. And at high speeds, disaster and death will occur. Racing, sanctioned or informal speed events, or just cruising at high speeds have danger and are unpredictable no matter how safety conscious participants maintain things. It's just the way it is and has to be accepted as such.

Sad and tragic, but the folks died doing what they loved and were willing to accept the danger. They were not the first and unfortunately will not be the last. May they Rest in Peace and always be kindly remembered.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I completely agree with your points. Speed is a freedom but crashes such as this may one day lead to regulations whether we want them or not. My SiL is big into drag racing and is on the Street Outlaws No Prep series. The original Street Outlaws was held on streets that were prearranged but alluded to be not closed off. Several pro drivers like Mike Murrillo were going to participate but the NHRA told them they would be barred from NHRA events and facilities if they raced on the show.

The NHRA's valid point was folks would see these racers and figure it was safe to race on the streets, which we well know is false. Racing is dangerous, even with docile daily drivers.
So the series now is about racing on closed venues. What my SiL is amazed about is how many of the drivers still do not have all the safety gear NHRA sanctioned venues require. Small things like flame retardant driving gloves.

But the point I'm making is, high powered machines break and they too often go out of control in the blink of an eye causing spectacular events. No prep is even more unpredictable and susceptible to crashes.

In no way shape or form am I saying boats should not be free to cruise at maximum speeds nor be limited to what those speeds can be. But we all must realize and be prepared that crashes will happen. And at high speeds, disaster and death will occur. Racing, sanctioned or informal speed events, or just cruising at high speeds have danger and are unpredictable no matter how safety conscious participants maintain things. It's just the way it is and has to be accepted as such.

Sad and tragic, but the folks died doing what they loved and were willing to accept the danger. They were not the first and unfortunately will not be the last. May they Rest in Peace and always be kindly remembered.

To your point, the difference with these boats is that there is no real sanctioning body, and it is not really a "race", so things are harder to put into a box.

To make these boats "more safe" makes them unusable for anything other than poker runs or shootouts. And to be fair, this incident happened outside of the organized events anyway. This was simply a pleasure boating accident.

 

[JD D05]

I spend my winters reading about people I knew of or know dying in avalanches and summers boating accidents like this. 13 deaths I think this winter from just snowmobilers...it is all very similar on how and why and all the BS after. Just really sucks.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I don’t believe a few of you are grasping the scenario here. It’s not that certain people should and shouldn’t see this video, it is solely out of respect for the gentlemen who perished and the wife of one who’s desperately still fighting for her life, it’s for the simple fact of an attempt by those who knew them friends family associates friends of friends etc. give a little time give them time to mourn time to wake up and realize this bad dream is not a dream but a bad reality.

The simple respect of those who lost this weekend is why it shouldn’t be posted here on our home base of RDP so someone doesn’t stumble upon the video. Those who desire to see it can search it out and know they made the attempt to see this video not that The stumbled upon it. Eventually the time will be less sorrowful and it’ll be here on these pages I’m sure. Rant off but I’m sure this will explain better to some!

RIP Brad & Paul

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I don’t believe a few of you are grasping the scenario here. It’s not that certain people should and shouldn’t see this video, it is solely out of respect for the gentlemen who perished and the wife of one who’s desperately still fighting for her life, it’s for the simple fact of an attempt by those who knew them friends family associates friends of friends etc. give a little time give them time to mourn time to wake up and realize this bad dream is not a dream but a bad reality.

The simple respect of those who lost this weekend is why it shouldn’t be posted here on our home base of RDP so someone doesn’t stumble upon the video. Those who desire to see it can search it out and know they made the attempt to see this video not that The stumbled upon it. Eventually the time will be less sorrowful and it’ll be here on these pages I’m sure. Rant off but I’m sure this will explain better to some!

RIP Brad & Paul

That is fair, but as RD alluded to, you/he/we can’t moderate the entire internet. I don’t think anyone is advocating for posting it prominently here at the moment.

If someone posted the link to it and Dave wants it removed out of respect, that is that.

 

[HighRoller]

Same thing with a car. These boats are not really pleasure boats in my mind, they are race boats. Unavoidable things can just happen in any condition, but especially in extreme conditions. It is what you sign up for when you get behind the wheel of something capable of that level of performance. I am sure he was not out there going 10/10ths at that point either, just giving a spirited ride and enjoying the day.

For the speeds these boats can attain, they do not have nearly the safety equipment they should considering it is a "racing" boat.. It ls like taking a streetcar Ferrari to a NASCAR race. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it, things just go bad sometimes.

Agree. I think two factors are driving this:
1) Canopies - The wind blowing in your face at 100mph used to give people a reality check of just how fast they were going. Now that is gone and people are sipping Pina Coladas at 130.
2) Technology/Reliability/Performance - It used to be a struggle to have a fast boat that was also reliable and user friendly. Not any more. Now Joe Schmoe can order up a 30ft Deck Boat that will start every time, idle at 700rpm, cart his family around but also do 130 mph at any time. That is a dangerous combo.

 

[HighRoller]

I completely agree with your points. Speed is a freedom but crashes such as this may one day lead to regulations whether we want them or not. My SiL is big into drag racing and is on the Street Outlaws No Prep series. The original Street Outlaws was held on streets that were prearranged but alluded to be not closed off. Several pro drivers like Mike Murrillo were going to participate but the NHRA told them they would be barred from NHRA events and facilities if they raced on the show.

The NHRA's valid point was folks would see these racers and figure it was safe to race on the streets, which we well know is false. Racing is dangerous, even with docile daily drivers.
So the series now is about racing on closed venues. What my SiL is amazed about is how many of the drivers still do not have all the safety gear NHRA sanctioned venues require. Small things like flame retardant driving gloves.

But the point I'm making is, high powered machines break and they too often go out of control in the blink of an eye causing spectacular events. No prep is even more unpredictable and susceptible to crashes.

In no way shape or form am I saying boats should not be free to cruise at maximum speeds nor be limited to what those speeds can be. But we all must realize and be prepared that crashes will happen. And at high speeds, disaster and death will occur. Racing, sanctioned or informal speed events, or just cruising at high speeds have danger and are unpredictable no matter how safety conscious participants maintain things. It's just the way it is and has to be accepted as such.

Sad and tragic, but the folks died doing what they loved and were willing to accept the danger. They were not the first and unfortunately will not be the last. May they Rest in Peace and always be kindly remembered.

It is definitely sad, but perhaps a stretch to call it tragic or unexpected. That would be attributing the cause of incidents like this to random or uncontrollable events. We can never control all the conditions in any scenario, but we can definitely control our actions and prevent the level of risk from becoming unacceptable

 

[daveb1]

I am so sorry for the close friends and relatives of this family. Even if it did get 50’ off the water, what’s the importance?
A 35 ‘ boat would only have the stern 15’ above the water if the bow is straight up like in a blow over. I know I really had to slow down in my 28 Daytona on Friday and Saturday. The cross winds blew my boat side to side, limiting top speed to 60’. I said to my wife that if these winds keep up, both the poker run and shootout may be canceled like so many times in the past. Authorities will piece things together and hopefully make results available publicly.

 

[brad22]

Very sad situation indeed. Was this during a shootout run?

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[RiverDave]

Very sad situation indeed. Was this during a shootout run?

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No, they had already done their passes for the day. This was a few miles south of the course on a pleasure ride.

RD

 

[4Waters]

Very sad situation indeed. Was this during a shootout run?

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No

 

[RiverDave]

It is definitely sad, but perhaps a stretch to call it tragic or unexpected. That would be attributing the cause of incidents like this to random or uncontrollable events. We can never control all the conditions in any scenario, but we can definitely control our actions and prevent the level of risk from becoming unacceptable

Everybody has a different level of acceptable risk.. Yours appears to be much lower than mine in some cases. I'm sure mine is much lower than yours in other cases etc..

 

[Blackmagic94]

I am so sorry for the close friends and relatives of this family. Even if it did get 50’ off the water, what’s the importance?
A 35 ‘ boat would only have the stern 15’ above the water if the bow is straight up like in a blow over. I know I really had to slow down in my 28 Daytona on Friday and Saturday. The cross winds blew my boat side to side, limiting top speed to 60’. I said to my wife that if these winds keep up, both the poker run and shootout may be canceled like so many times in the past. Authorities will piece things together and hopefully make results available publicly.

They didn’t launch in the air like claimed. The nose of the sponson dug in and turned the Boat which then made it flip.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

That is fair, but as RD alluded to, you/he/we can’t moderate the entire internet. I don’t think anyone is advocating for posting it prominently here at the moment.

If someone posted the link to it and Dave wants it removed out of respect, that is that.

And that’s the jist of what i was saying.
We are a large family here, we don’t all agree or get along or even look similar but we all share a common love of the water. So a simple moment of silence, or not putting it up here on the place we go to be apart of the water together is respect for those involved. No you can’t police it elsewhere but we can show unity and not place it here.

 

[CoolCruzin]

Some time you can learn from a accident of what not to do or avoid a problem from a video .

 

[lbhsbz]

Some time you can learn from a accident of what not to do or avoid a problem from a video .

This

I enjoy watching videos of accidents...helps one learn what went wrong, and hopefully learn how to prevent it or reduces the chances of it occuring again.

Nobody likes watching folks die or get killed. Its not about that. It's about determining the WHY. I wish someone woulda had my crash on video 8 years ago to confirm my suspicions as to the why...

 

[Singleton]

This

I enjoy watching videos of accidents...helps one learn what went wrong, and hopefully learn how to prevent it or reduces the chances of it occuring again.

Nobody likes watching folks die or get killed. Its not about that. It's about determining the WHY. I wish someone woulda had my crash on video 8 years ago to confirm my suspicions as to the why...

I have seen the video. You cant see what caused it. I had the same thought, watch to see what to avoid. Can see anything. Brad was a very experienced driver, fluke accident. To be honest, I wish I followed my gut and did not watch it, because you can’t see what caused it, so makes you realize it could happened to anyone of us when we are out and I boat almost 100% with my kids.

 

[lbhsbz]

I have seen the video. You cant see what caused it. I had the same thought, watch to see what to avoid. Can see anything. Brad was a very experienced driver, fluke accident. To be honest, I wish I followed my gut and did not watch it, because you can’t see what caused it, so makes you realize it could happened to anyone of us when we are out and I boat almost 100% with my kids.

You learned something then.

 

[HighRoller]

Everybody has a different level of acceptable risk.. Yours appears to be much lower than mine in some cases. I'm sure mine is much lower than yours in other cases etc..

Agree 100%. I guess you could say that my level of acceptable risk is ridiculously low, given that I boat with my Wife and kids onboard almost exclusively. You would assume that someone who has driven a million dollar Cat capable of 170 mph for hundreds of hours would have a much higher risk tolerance than I do. But should they? If I fuck up at 40 mph, the worst possible consequence is not likely to even injure someone. At 140 mph, the smallest error in judgment can turn fatal before you even realize what happened.

I don't think it occurs to most super high performance boat owners these days that they could die instantly. The equipment is so good that it lulls them into a false sense of security. I have watched dozens of videos of people jamming down Havasu racing another boat at 130+mph (with all their friends in the boat) in questionable water conditions on a busy weekend with slower boats whizzing by in the frame. Dave from DCB hammered that Green M31 for 8 minutes straight at 170 mph. Tow days in a row. The red M35 was going toe-to-toe with a Skater at 160 mph in 1-2 ft chop in the middle of the lake with dozens of other boats around.

The onboard speedo shots show how fast one of those boats can go from 70-170. Like 15 seconds or less. It is frightening because you know that not all of those guys have the seat time of John Tomlinson or Bob Teague. Most of them, relatively speaking, are rookies. And now they are piloting a missile that doesn't want to turn and is covering a football field every second...making it possible for them to collide with a boat 1/2 mile in front of them in less than 10 seconds.

With great power (or horsepower) comes greater responsibility. IMO, these guys should have the risk tolerance of a nuclear bomber pilot...not a rodeo cowboy.

 

[Singleton]

You learned something then.

Right now I have no motivation to take my family boating because of this accident. If this could happen to Brad then we are all at risk IMO, and to be honest, that scares the shit out of me. Other accidents I have seen were during shootouts and those did not impact me as much since I don’t run shootouts. The next time I start to cruise the south basin towards steamboat all I will be thinking about is Lickity Split. Going to take time to get over that. If I did not watch the video, I would not be thinking this much about it. No video watching and I would of assumed a huge rouge wave caused it and not be so worried (but you can’t even see a wave in the video I saw). Sounds strange, and some folks might think I am over reacting, but that is just how I feel today.

 

[lbhsbz]

Right now I have no motivation to take my family boating because of this accident. If this could happen to Brad then we are all at risk IMO, and to be honest, that scares the shit out of me. Other accidents I have seen were during shootouts and those did not impact me as much since I don’t run shootouts. The next time I start to cruise the south basin towards steamboat all I will be thinking about is Lickity Split. Going to take time to get over that. If I did not watch the video, I would not be thinking this much about it. No video watching and I would of assumed a huge rouge wave caused it and not be so worried (but you can’t even see a wave in the video I saw). Sounds strange, and some folks might think I am over reacting, but that is just how I feel today.

You're not overreacting...it will be in the back of your mind every time you lay into the sticks. That's a good thing.

 

[Singleton]

You're not overreacting...it will be in the back of your mind every time you lay into the sticks. That's a good thing.

Have to disagree on that. When I hit the sticks, I need to be focused on what is in front and behind me and clear in the head. Can’t be thinking about a past event while running, that takes away from your focus.

 

[lbhsbz]

Have to disagree on that. When I hit the sticks, I need to be focused on what is in front and behind me and clear in the head. Can’t be thinking about a past event while running, that takes away from your focus.

I agree with that....but on the other hand...if it makes you look farther ahead, or be more conscious of the conditions and maybe more conservative before you make the decision to lay into it....it's a good thing.

 

[JRS1939]

I have seen the video. You cant see what caused it. I had the same thought, watch to see what to avoid. Can see anything. Brad was a very experienced driver, fluke accident. To be honest, I wish I followed my gut and did not watch it, because you can’t see what caused it, so makes you realize it could happened to anyone of us when we are out and I boat almost 100% with my kids.

If I'm not mistaken, there is better footage out there to see what actually happened.... but again, I could be wrong...

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[HighRoller]

I have seen the video. You cant see what caused it. I had the same thought, watch to see what to avoid. Can see anything. Brad was a very experienced driver, fluke accident. To be honest, I wish I followed my gut and did not watch it, because you can’t see what caused it, so makes you realize it could happened to anyone of us when we are out and I boat almost 100% with my kids.

Right now I have no motivation to take my family boating because of this accident. If this could happen to Brad then we are all at risk IMO, and to be honest, that scares the shit out of me. Other accidents I have seen were during shootouts and those did not impact me as much since I don’t run shootouts. The next time I start to cruise the south basin towards steamboat all I will be thinking about is Lickity Split. Going to take time to get over that. If I did not watch the video, I would not be thinking this much about it. No video watching and I would of assumed a huge rouge wave caused it and not be so worried (but you can’t even see a wave in the video I saw). Sounds strange, and some folks might think I am over reacting, but that is just how I feel today.

IMO you should only feel at risk if you drive a similar boat in a spirited fashion most of the time.

That said, there are hundreds of stepped cats and cat-bottom deck boats out there and not everyone is a true wheelman. So is there any such thing as a "safe" catamaran? I would love to have a deck boat, but incidents like this remind me how tempermental twin sponson boats can be in questionable water.

Somebody edumacate me

 

[lbhsbz]

IMO you should only feel at risk if you drive a similar boat in a spirited fashion most of the time.

That said, there are hundreds of stepped cats and cat-bottom deck boats out there and not everyone is a true wheelman. So is there any such thing as a "safe" catamaran? I would love to have a deck boat, but incidents like this remind me how tempermental twin sponson boats can be in questionable water.

Somebody edumacate me

I'm not sure...I'm into short boats, and there's a reason that the CP tunnel has such a bad reputation. The only reason the center keel is there at all is so you have somewhere to put the jet. The sponsons are lower than the keel towards the bow, so they are the first things to hit the water when you set the boat back down....and they like to hook when that happens sometimes.

A keel that hits the water first will always go straighter than if the sponsons touch the water first.