River/Havasu boaters....clueless, inexperienced or just idiots?

[lakemadness]

I noticed this year there were numerous, and very unfortunate accidents. Really, I'm sorry for the loss the families have to deal with when these accidents occur. But wow, there were alot!

What is about the river/havasu/parker and the most recent which was on the delta I believe?

The lake where I do a majority of my boating and have a house on, I do not believe has had a tenth of the number of fatalities over my life time that occured on the river in the last year. Its a 30 mile stretch of river that has been damned up at two locations. Its lined with homes, its a zoo on most weekends. But I rarely feel "unsafe" or in "danger" when we're on the boat. Fellow boaters on the water know the rules of the lake, their cautious, careful. I've never seen an accident, I've seen two sunk boats, one being mine. We had one person drown this summer. He was drunk, fell on the dock, knocked out. Thats it.

How many accidents and deaths occured in the west this year?

I've boated Havasu, my head has to be on a fucking nonstop swivel. You just feel like something is going to happen. I nearly lost a leg the last time I was there. I was on a sea doo going straight, another sea-doo does a 90degree turn into me and t-bones me just missing my leg. WTF.

And the prop chops, fuck. That shit to my knowledge has never happend on our lake, at least not in my lifetime.

So what is it. Idiots, drunks, inexperience, too many titties to look at or ???

 

[Tamalewagon]

Your post has several examples of why we stick to weekdays.

When you've got the power drinkers who find the need to hit the water or novice boater who simply has no clue, you are bound to have accidents. Throw in a weekend or holiday crowd and you've got a recipe for disaster. For those very simple reasons, we stick mainly to the weekdays.

 

[checkrd past]

More money than brains,thats why no one is responding

 

[HALLETT BOY]

The smarter , wiser , older people don't go on the holiday weekends ...anytime you have too many people for a given piece of real estate , you will have problems !

 

[lakemadness]

The smarter , wiser , older people don't go on the holiday weekends ...anytime you have too many people for a given piece of real estate , you will have problems !

Too many people for a given piece of real estate is not the total reason. Like I said above, the lake where I do most of my boating is fucking packed just like Parker. Yet we dont have the accidents.

 

[rivermobster]

Too many people for a given piece of real estate is not the total reason. Like I said above, the lake where I do most of my boating is fucking packed just like Parker. Yet we dont have the accidents.

Parker is closed now due to too many accidents this summer. Sad, but the lake remains open like always.

 

[RiverDave]

More money than brains,thats why no one is responding

Post # 1 is 1:03 pm.. You're post is 1:15 pm.. 12 minutes and "no one" is responding? Jesus.. LOL

Could be a lot of people are reading other threads and just found this one?



To answer the original question, if you're asking me I say combination of Idiots, and inexperience..

RD

 

[HighRoller]

It all began with MTV in 1985 and went downhill from there.

But hey...maybe all those tourism dollars can wash the blood out of the water.

I'll never forget back in 2000 my parents and I went through the channel for the first time since the 80's. Was a Saturday, typical Zoo with all the stupidity. My Mom practically had tears in her eyes..."what happened to this place?"
I went to Havi for the first time when I was still in her belly and every year until age 15.

She passed away in 2006. Several years later I learned that London Bridge was dedicated on her Birthday the year I was born.

Needless to say it's a very special place to me. Breaks my heart to see what it's become.

 

[HotRod82]

My parents started going to the river in 1965, they started out in Parker and in 1971 (I was 3) they moved their river adventures south to squaw lake (hidden shores area) because Parker was getting too crazy even way back then. Boat wrecks and people getting run over by the drunks in their boats. I can tell you in my lifetime of going to the river the big change I have seen is the river is no longer about family, camping, SKIING, etc. At least for most people anyways. The river for most has become all about "the scene" ....hanging in the channel. Not that long ago everyone I knew went out of their way to AVOID the crowds, now it is just the opposite. With this crowd has come a complete lack of common sense and an absence of good old common courtesy. The last big weekend I saw was over 10 years ago when I was nearly killed by a drunk in a jetboat that missed me (and the LEO I was talking to!!) by less than 2 feet. Different crowd, different mindset, they have all but ruined the river on the weekends. Just my 2 cents..

 

[riverratmike]

I noticed this year there were numerous, and very unfortunate accidents. Really, I'm sorry for the loss the families have to deal with when these accidents occur. But wow, there were alot!

What is about the river/havasu/parker and the most recent which was on the delta I believe?

The lake where I do a majority of my boating and have a house on, I do not believe has had a tenth of the number of fatalities over my life time that occured on the river in the last year. Its a 30 mile stretch of river that has been damned up at two locations. Its lined with homes, its a zoo on most weekends. But I rarely feel "unsafe" or in "danger" when we're on the boat. Fellow boaters on the water know the rules of the lake, their cautious, careful. I've never seen an accident, I've seen two sunk boats, one being mine. We had one person drown this summer. He was drunk, fell on the dock, knocked out. Thats it.

How many accidents and deaths occured in the west this year?

I've boated Havasu, my head has to be on a fucking nonstop swivel. You just feel like something is going to happen. I nearly lost a leg the last time I was there. I was on a sea doo going straight, another sea-doo does a 90degree turn into me and t-bones me just missing my leg. WTF.

And the prop chops, fuck. That shit to my knowledge has never happend on our lake, at least not in my lifetime.

So what is it. Idiots, drunks, inexperience, too many titties to look at or ???

I've been living in Havasu now for 8 years and every year especially in the summer you will hear about 5 to 8 deaths no matter what

 

[havasu5150]

Recapping the unfortunate deaths on Havasu this year:

2 due to mechanical failure on a cat w/ twins
1 due to prop chop from someone who as I understand it was not the boat owner/operator
3 drownings....two in Copper Canyon (jumps gone bad) and one when an elderly man failed to surface after jumping in.

I know Parker had a couple of fatal boat collisions where boats hit stationery objects, but I dont think there were any on Havasu.

 

[checkrd past]

Post # 1 is 1:03 pm.. You're post is 1:15 pm.. 12 minutes and "no one" is responding? Jesus.. LOL

Could be a lot of people are reading other threads and just found this one?



To answer the original question, if you're asking me I say combination of Idiots, and inexperience..

RD

Please

 

[Phebus]

Recapping the unfortunate deaths on Havasu this year:

2 due to mechanical failure on a cat w/ twins
1 due to prop chop from someone who as I understand it was not the boat owner/operator
3 drownings....two in Copper Canyon (jumps gone bad) and one when an elderly man failed to surface after jumping in.I know Parker had a couple of fatal boat collisions where boats hit stationery objects, but I dont think there were any on Havasu.

Actually there were two incidents where elderly men died after jumping into water off boats, and they also found a drowning victim off Body Beach.

 

[lakemadness]

I just find it ridiculous that the area has so many accidents.

I've been wanting to haul my shit out there for a long weekend. I have not been out to the river in 8 years. But shit, with this past summers accidents, who wants to boat with a lake full of incompetent idiots.

 

[westair]

It seems more accidents and deaths from people driving to the river ... considering the type of boats and number of people that go to Havasu the accident rate is surprisingly low!!

 

[lakemadness]

It seems more accidents and deaths from people driving to the river ... considering the type of boats and number of people that go to Havasu the accident rate is surprisingly low!!

Surprising low? are you kidding me? The lake I go to I would bet has the same number of boaters on any given weekend that Parker does in a similar setting/area. As I said, we have no where near the same amount of deaths. I've never seen or heard of an accident in my years of boating on the lake. Havasu and parker are not the mecca of boating. There are thousands of other lakes in this country with the same amount of traffic, all of which I would bet have a much lower accident and fatality rate.

 

[BoatCop]

Blame the Arizona State Parks Department.

Over the past 4 years State Parks have converted nearly $6 million dollars meant for AZ Sheriff's Boating Safety programs for their own use.

A portion of your boat registration fees are supposed to go to the Counties for boating patrol. Since State Parks administers those grants (they do the paperwork) they consider it "their" money and took advantage of a loophole in the budget law and kept it for themselves. This is in addition to another $20+ million of YOUR money in marine fuel taxes supposed to go for Lake Improvement grants.

The loss of those funds have forced the Sheriff's to reduce patrols, education, public relations and outreach programs for Boating Safety and awareness.

We did get a law passed for some funds for Yuma, La Paz and Mohave Counties, but we're still over 40% below where we should be. No more boating safety classes, reduced patrol hours and days, and less presence (visibility) on the water.

Last year we wrote and got passed a change that would transfer administration of the fund to AZ Game and Fish, since they collect the registration fees anyway, and cut State Parks out of it. It doesn't go into effect until until July 2012, but they are STILL going to try and take the money next year.

The boating community is so fragmented (performance boats, PWCs, family boats, fishermen, etc) that there's no central voice to encourage the State Legislature to stop State Parks from doing this. When you're dealing with a billion dollar budget, 6 million over 4 years doesn't seem like a big deal to them, but it's a tremendous cut to the Counties that rely on those funds to get boats on the water.

While we had a handle on accidents a few years ago, having only 2 or 3 (no fatalities) in Parker a few years ago, this year we've had more accidents than in the 3 years covering 2006-2009.

 

[Dettom]

I've been going to Havasu since 1985. I've seen a change from a family oriented boating/camping environment to a party till you puke wasteland. I blame it on a few factors such as close proximity to SoCal, which means lots of money spent by people who are traditionally not known as "boaters". But rather have had a great deal of disposable income and are tired of the beach scene. Next,the availablity of PWC's which can be towed by anyone with a Honda Civic. They don't require the financial commitment of a boat/tow rig and thus are viewed as "disposable". Nonetheless there are hundreds of them to navigate through and I don't care what anyone says, most of them do not look around when they are underway for boats. Last but not least, I did notice a "sea change" once MTV made this a popular party destination for the college crowd. Everybody wants to see titties. So factor in lots of titties, alcohol and sunny weather and you get what you got. Just my .02 and I may be seeing this all wrong but I'm willing to listen to another's POV..

 

[Dettom]

Boatcop has the inside on this and I have to agree 100%.

 

[westair]

Surprising low? are you kidding me? The lake I go to I would bet has the same number of boaters on any given weekend that Parker does in a similar setting/area. As I said, we have no where near the same amount of deaths. I've never seen or heard of an accident in my years of boating on the lake. Havasu and parker are not the mecca of boating. There are thousands of other lakes in this country with the same amount of traffic, all of which I would bet have a much lower accident and fatality rate.

Havasu and Parker is the mecca of performance boating in the west ... read post #11, not alot of accidents and when I say surprisingly low it means I'm surprised there that low for all that goes on there!!

 

[Lucas Oil]

Were do you boat at and were do you live

 

[STEPPCHILD]

...don't like seeing BoatCop and his peeps taking any blame for the bad choices of drunk, ignorant, and unsafe boaters...:skull...sadly, these types are an "epidemic" and are going to impact the seasoned/skilled/lifelong boaters in the very near future...I have met the enemy..and he is "us"...:boobeyes:...

 

[2Driver]

This is one of those issues that is clearly a "all of the above" answers.

It not new either. We lived in LHC from 85-90 and Parker Dam in the 2000's. It was expected to read a body count in Monday's paper especially after a big weekend.

The really sad part is the destinations reputation has gone from boating, great times and partying to getting shit faced, fighting, chuby chicks dry humping each other and getting your stuff ripped off.

 

[Riverjunkie42]

I've been going to Havasu since 1985. I've seen a change from a family oriented boating/camping environment to a party till you puke wasteland. I blame it on a few factors such as close proximity to SoCal, which means lots of money spent by people who are traditionally not known as "boaters". But rather have had a great deal of disposable income and are tired of the beach scene. Next,the availablity of PWC's which can be towed by anyone with a Honda Civic. They don't require the financial commitment of a boat/tow rig and thus are viewed as "disposable". Nonetheless there are hundreds of them to navigate through and I don't care what anyone says, most of them do not look around when they are underway for boats. Last but not least, I did notice a "sea change" once MTV made this a popular party destination for the college crowd. Everybody wants to see titties. So factor in lots of titties, alcohol and sunny weather and you get what you got. Just my .02 and I may be seeing this all wrong but I'm willing to listen to another's POV..

That pretty much sums it up for me. I never really had family or many friends that boated Havasu. I really don't like the wide part of the lake that is until you get away from the Island and the route to Copper Canyon. You have vessels of of all sizes going every which way. Going to the sandbar would have been impossible in our boat without my Buddy who has lived in Havasu a while and knows the shallow areas. But the channel is a disgusting mess with all that slow moving water, boat exhaust, carbon monoxide from slow moving boats and people constantly pissing because they are averaging 3 beers an hour.

Havasu and Parker is the mecca of performance boating in the west ... read post #11, not alot of accidents and when I say surprisingly low it means I'm surprised there that low for all that goes on there!!

I think the same way. With Parker acting like a water freeway on Fridays and Saturdays, and Havasu with its cadre of inexperienced losers to the enormous offshore performance boats, I am amazed there aren't more deaths. It's sad there are any deaths, but there are too many idiots with no CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS.

 

[lakemadness]

Havasu and Parker is the mecca of performance boating in the west ... read post #11, not alot of accidents and when I say surprisingly low it means I'm surprised there that low for all that goes on there!!

I guess you have a low expectation.

 

[Lucas Oil]

Were do you boat lakemadness and were do you live

 

[lakemadness]

Were do you boat lakemadness and were do you live

Indianapolis.

Geist Resevoir & Lake Freeman mostly. Make a couple trips to Lake Erie to get our big water and cabin cruiser fix.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Blame the Arizona State Parks Department.

Over the past 4 years State Parks have converted nearly $6 million dollars meant for AZ Sheriff's Boating Safety programs for their own use.

A portion of your boat registration fees are supposed to go to the Counties for boating patrol. Since State Parks administers those grants (they do the paperwork) they consider it "their" money and took advantage of a loophole in the budget law and kept it for themselves. This is in addition to another $20+ million of YOUR money in marine fuel taxes supposed to go for Lake Improvement grants.

The loss of those funds have forced the Sheriff's to reduce patrols, education, public relations and outreach programs for Boating Safety and awareness.

We did get a law passed for some funds for Yuma, La Paz and Mohave Counties, but we're still over 40% below where we should be. No more boating safety classes, reduced patrol hours and days, and less presence (visibility) on the water.

Last year we wrote and got passed a change that would transfer administration of the fund to AZ Game and Fish, since they collect the registration fees anyway, and cut State Parks out of it. It doesn't go into effect until until July 2012, but they are STILL going to try and take the money next year.

The boating community is so fragmented (performance boats, PWCs, family boats, fishermen, etc) that there's no central voice to encourage the State Legislature to stop State Parks from doing this. When you're dealing with a billion dollar budget, 6 million over 4 years doesn't seem like a big deal to them, but it's a tremendous cut to the Counties that rely on those funds to get boats on the water.

While we had a handle on accidents a few years ago, having only 2 or 3 (no fatalities) in Parker a few years ago, this year we've had more accidents than in the 3 years covering 2006-2009.

Its one think for the goverment to screw the people but when they start stealing from eachother things have gotten way out of control.

With that said I saw more police boats on parker over labor day than I have seen in years. Seems as if all of the departments were there kind of like what you see on havasu.(saw alot of sheriffs)

 

[HavasuHank]

Parker is closed now due to too many accidents this summer. Sad, but the lake remains open like always.

 

[Lucas Oil]

I work for Lucas oil i have ben to gesit a few time but just to test some stuff on My Schiada i know Dan at the Marina. I am going to Parker next week to the Schiada regatta i live in Brownsburg. We have a new line of Marine oil you should try some my # is 317 871 1616 call.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

I work for Lucas oil i have be to gesit a few time but just to test some stuff on My Schiada i know Dan at the Marina. I am going to Parker next week to the Schiada regatta i live in Brownsburg. We have a new line of Marine oil you should try some my # is 317 871 1616 call.

What ???

 

[lakemadness]

I work for Lucas oil i have be to gesit a few time but just to test some stuff on My Schiada i know Dan at the Marina. I am going to Parker next week to the Schiada regatta i live in Brownsburg. We have a new line of Marine oil you should try some my # is 317 871 1616 call.

V-drive Schiada? Pics?

 

[throttle]

That ther are a shit load of new boaters on our lakes and rivers that are driving boats that are too big for their britches. Lack of experience, and common sense can be attributed to lots of what we are seeing as new trends.

Another example to help make a point. The economy has allowed people to purchase bigger boats and more horsepower at a very low price (in the used market). Lots of these peeps have never owned a boat then show up and may not clearly understand the dynamics or characteristics of how fast things can change and go bad.

Again, just my .02 -- I felt this summer may have drawn larger crowds with more boats than years past. It's also my opinion that the used market is leveling off a bit and maybe we are just experiencing a circle that repeats itself. The last year or maybe even two have not had the death toll as this year alone. Add more peeps and your averages go up.

How do we fix the problem?
I think Allan has a valid point, safety and education. Other than that we can only do our part by being responsible. Be safe, see ya on da lake.

 

[jetboatmatt]

I always hear this from people on how dangerous it has gotten!! Havasu,Glamis,Pismo and even palm Springs at one time.. Lake Havasu has plenty of space to spread out like by black Meadow landing and havasu springs!! You won't hit anybody out there. What I'm saying is if you don't want to worry about all the crazy kids and drinking there are other places on the Lake to enjoy with your Famliy!!! We have been going for 20 plus years and have never come close to getting hurt because we stay away from it!!!!
Same for Glamis stay away from Olds and your good!! Parker well it's closed now so it doesn't matter!!! But we used to go during the week and it was a blast!! There will always be drunks and people who don't have a clue that's people being people!! You just have to keep a good eye out and be responsible and you should stay safe!!! Slow down and let people pass you and keep your distance!! Your not the fastest boat out there so let the drunks fly by!!! Just stay far away from them!!
And the comment about Californians being the problem is probly somewhat true but without them Havasu's Economy would tank!! Just my two cents!!!!!! Be safe and have fun!!!!

 

[CampbellCarl]

I work for Lucas oil i have ben to gesit a few time but just to test some stuff on My Schiada i know Dan at the Marina. I am going to Parker next week to the Schiada regatta i live in Brownsburg. We have a new line of Marine oil you should try some my # is 317 871 1616 call.

Really?

I guess when the HNIC is also a Lucas representative we should expect this........

 

[Dettom]

What ???

I guess this is what happens when the Russians start infiltrating the boards. Their prose gives it away.

 

[Baja Big Dog]

I work for Lucas oil i have ben to gesit a few time but just to test some stuff on My Schiada i know Dan at the Marina. I am going to Parker next week to the Schiada regatta i live in Brownsburg. We have a new line of Marine oil you should try some my # is 317 871 1616 call.

must BE 5 oclock somewhere!!

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

I'll bet Im pretty representative of the majority here, lurk, read, think but very seldom post. I believe everyone's post (except the oil salesman) has a piece of the problem nailed

I saw it change when the "Hip Hop" generation arrived, perhaps it coincided with the MTV spring break thing, I cant remember. It became all about the channel, copper canyon and the night life at some point. Then throw into the mix, boats that started to run into the low 100's without any experience required and BAM!!! the perfect storm!

The old salts that were prior this phenom, I believe are still around, still sane, still safe and still fast. The "chubby girls dry humping" the cliff jumpers, the beer bongs, the pasties, the thongs have ALL contributed to the problem.

When a long weekend or amatuer hour begins mix all this in a blender and the outcome is, not every one is going home folks. very sad.

I have segregated myself to Roosevelt lake, and hide out on holidays. I live a mere 12 minutes from Lake Pleasant and "no thanks" its where the drunk tank goes for practice on non-havasu weekends.

Regards,

Steve

I

 

[dancudmore]

What ???

Really?

I guess when the HNIC is also a Lucas representative we should expect this........

must BE 5 oclock somewhere!!

I think he was responding to the guy that lived in INDY, as he does as well, saying try the product and lets hit the water.

 

[ROZ]

Over labor day, bmac and I were headed up river along the reeds because of approaching sandbar, and a guy with a 23 ultra and boat load of people decides to split out boats at speed. My boat was about 30 feet from bmac's.

With through crowd, water condition, and where we were located at that time made it totally bs move by that guy.

Sent using yaba daba Tapatalk

 

[Riverson]

It seems more accidents and deaths from people driving to the river ... considering the type of boats and number of people that go to Havasu the accident rate is surprisingly low!!

X2 Ditto for Parker

 

[Phebus]

Over labor day, bmac and I were headed up river along the reeds because of approaching sandbar, and a guy with a 23 ultra and boat load of people decides to split out boats at speed. My boat was about 30 feet from bmac's.

With through crowd, water condition, and where we were located at that time made it totally bs move by that guy.

Sent using yaba daba Tapatalk

Sorry Roz, but Mandelon and Outcoled dared me to do it. It's all their fault, they're assholes.

 

[HavasuHank]

What ???

Don't worry, its just spam

 

[HavasuHank]

Sorry Roz, but Mandelon and Outcoled dared me to do it. It's all their fault, they're assholes.

at least I wasn't involved in this one

 

[plaster dave]

That ther are a shit load of new boaters on our lakes and rivers that are driving boats that are too big for their britches. Lack of experience, and common sense can be attributed to lots of what we are seeing as new trends.

Another example to help make a point. The economy has allowed people to purchase bigger boats and more horsepower at a very low price (in the used market). Lots of these peeps have never owned a boat then show up and may not clearly understand the dynamics or characteristics of how fast things can change and go bad.

Again, just my .02 -- I felt this summer may have drawn larger crowds with more boats than years past. It's also my opinion that the used market is leveling off a bit and maybe we are just experiencing a circle that repeats itself. The last year or maybe even two have not had the death toll as this year alone. Add more peeps and your averages go up.

How do we fix the problem?
I think Allan has a valid point, safety and education. Other than that we can only do our part by being responsible. Be safe, see ya on da lake.

X2
I think this is just like when you are growing up and the older generation says "I just don't get these kids" times change and so does the demographic. I think with the amount of traffic these two water ways have I think the numbers are low. .02

 

[hallett21]

For those of you that say that the river has been out of hand since MTV or the beginning of my generation (people in their 20's) at what point are you referring to when it was "calmer" I've been going to havasu since conception and I have to say I don't remember a time when holidays didn't have naked girls and beer bongs. In fact I saw more at age 12 on the sandbar than I did this whole summer. I think you have to look at the big picture. When I was 8,9,10 (this is middle to late 90's) drinking and driving was just a part of boating it seemed like. Now we have boater education and enforcement of laws that have seemed to limit a lot of potential chaos. While the boats have gotten bigger and faster I don't think that's the problem. I think it's the same yahoos that there has always been who drive like asses. I agree that more boats does not help but I haven't seen too Many dcbs eliminators or who have you scaring the shit out of me. It's the drunk bayliner driver that seems to be the problem. And that guy has always been on the lake. my point is I see a lot more under 50,000 dollar boats creating dangerous situations than I do 100,000 100 mph boats. I don't think you blame a guy who goes and buys a boat that is way out of his league because he is rich. For that one guy I'm sure there are 20-30 who can afford a 10,000 dollar used boat and cause just as much if not more trouble

I agree that you can avoid a lot of the congestion if you try other parts of the lake like havasu springs or something away from nautical and pirates.

if this seems all over the place I'm sorry I'm writing from a phone lol. Ya ya I know everyone here does it

 

[ROZ]

I'd like to say that alcohol is a factor, but OTHERS may say " alcohol isn't always a factor... people acting like idiots always is though."




Sent using yaba daba Tapatalk

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

So what is it. Idiots, drunks, inexperience, too many titties to look at or ???

Its all about experience, how one handles alcohol, and Darwins natural selection.

I for one never swim near someone elses prop/outdrive.

I also practice the same starting technique I use before starting the engine in the airplane. I do a walk around the boat, checking for possible hazards before starting the boat, and if there are swimmers in the water, I yell loud enough for those to in the water to hear "Clear Prop". By this time, some of the responsibility is shifting to the swimmers in the water, for failing to protect themselves from injury.

 

[Froggystyle]

I think it is the outdrive.

Seriously. The outdrive is responsible for a smallish motor to be used in a large boat. Jet boats, through a self-limiting dynamic called basic inefficiency were physically limited to a boat essentially 22' long for any measure of performance. A 22' boat, regardless of hull type, doesn't go very fast in late afternoon lake chop.

Most of the boats we saw when I was growing up were sub 19' jet boats or "big" 21' Daycruisers. No outdrives really existed. We essentially taxied home above idle on Berryessa lake chop.

Enter outdrives. 28' boats with the same engine as your Big Block powered jet boat are now possible. Not blindingly fast, but possible. Of course, they make more wake, but go faster over it, so the math just bumped up to support it.

Plus, the outdrive is inherently unsafe in it's operation. It is a swinging meat cleaver on the back attached to a device that controls the steering, and is well below the running surface of the boat. Sandbars, submerged obstacles and fat chicks beware!

The outdrive, through it's efficiency and relative lack of expense has increased the speeds on the lake more than anything else ever did, increased size of craft and more than likely increased the numbers of boaters exponentially. With that gain comes an increase in idiots as well... though they were there before, they had to know how to adjust valves if they were going to run a late 1970's jet boat... which weeds out the idiots.

That said, an idiot in an 18' Jetboat nearly ran over my Mom while waterskiing once in the 80's. And my uncle has been known to do some relatively insane stuff back in the day...

But they had jetboats, so nobody was blasting home.

Blame the outdrive.

 

[squirtnmyload]

I think it is the outdrive.

Seriously. The outdrive is responsible for a smallish motor to be used in a large boat. Jet boats, through a self-limiting dynamic called basic inefficiency were physically limited to a boat essentially 22' long for any measure of performance. A 22' boat, regardless of hull type, doesn't go very fast in late afternoon lake chop.

Most of the boats we saw when I was growing up were sub 19' jet boats or "big" 21' Daycruisers. No outdrives really existed. We essentially taxied home above idle on Berryessa lake chop.

Enter outdrives. 28' boats with the same engine as your Big Block powered jet boat are now possible. Not blindingly fast, but possible. Of course, they make more wake, but go faster over it, so the math just bumped up to support it.

Plus, the outdrive is inherently unsafe in it's operation. It is a swinging meat cleaver on the back attached to a device that controls the steering, and is well below the running surface of the boat. Sandbars, submerged obstacles and fat chicks beware!

The outdrive, through it's efficiency and relative lack of expense has increased the speeds on the lake more than anything else ever did, increased size of craft and more than likely increased the numbers of boaters exponentially. With that gain comes an increase in idiots as well... though they were there before, they had to know how to adjust valves if they were going to run a late 1970's jet boat... which weeds out the idiots.

That said, an idiot in an 18' Jetboat nearly ran over my Mom while waterskiing once in the 80's. And my uncle has been known to do some relatively insane stuff back in the day...

But they had jetboats, so nobody was blasting home.

Blame the outdrive.

I concur

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk