That's part of it- it's usually the thing you either don't know about or you're no longer afraid of that gets you.

It's also that step-bottom boats aren't as inherently safe as a straight V. Too many of these boats are being run on lakes, rivers, bays, etc. at high speeds. No matter how proficient you are, when something sneaks up on you in these tight quarters and you have to make an instant emergency maneuver, regardless of who you are or your level of experience, you probably aren't going to make it.

Gonna have to disagree with you a little on this Chris, the school teaches you the exact manuevers to avoid a last second change in direction. I am not saying everything will turn out, just that having the knowledge puts you way ahead of the safety game .

Word......

36glad running in closed waters, things can sneak up on you, alot easier than they will 2-3 miles offshore.

Has anyone done a study of these spinouts? As in when and where they happen? Running offshore, like where this sport started, there is less of a reason to make a sharp turn.

I'm sure that since there is less visiblity in a sit down boat that could be a contributor too.

Is it more fun going 100 than 70? You bet!!!. Hell, my bass boat runs over 80. Just because you have a fast boat doesn't mean you always drive it flat out...you just have to pick your opportunitites, when it is safer. There's nothing like sceaming along early in the morning when other traffic is minimal. A 100 mph boat cruises effortlessly at 70, so would you rather have that or have to push the redline to go 70?

There's no doubt that stepped boats can be operated safely using the proper techniques. And, I certainly agree that boat school is a no-brainer for anyone new to the sport or new to the upper end of the speeds these boats are seeing these days- stepped or not. My point is this- you don't always have time to make those attitude adjustments necessary for the maneuver. I bought my first performance boat in '78 and I've had a handful of experiences where I had to yank the wheel & pray. Looking back, I'd say that in every case, I could have been going slower for the close-quarters I was in. But, in all that time, I've never rolled or spun a boat.

I don't think that it's any coincidence that the number of V-bottom boats spinning, rolling and/or ejecting its occupants during sanctioned race events has increased noticeably since the advent of stepped hulls.

Insurance companies aren't taking first-time cat owners anymore. By next year, I'd expect to see this extended to first-time step boat owners. I also wonder how long it will take for insurers to begin restricting operation to bodies of water more suitable for boats of theis size & speed.

Lastly, The boating courses that will teach you these techniques will, by default, educate you to the point that these boats most likely cannot sustain panic maneuvers. Maybe that will get a few folks to slow down. It also will lead to someone making the choice of running over the jetski or pram full of kids instead than jeopardizing the safety of themselves and their passengers.

I have to disagree. I have owned multiple sit down boats and find visibilty as good or better than stand up boats. When I am sitting down, the fairing actually does its job and I have 0 distortion due to wind. My line of sight is as unobstructed as a stand up boat. The only advantage there may be to standing is the fact you are 2' higher off the water.

I agree that most of the accidents do seem to be occuring in more confined areas than the open ocean.

I sketched this picture right quick.:D It helps to have and use one of these!

Chris, there too many boats, non HPs, being built w/ steps, so that won't be happening to stepped boats in general.
May have to add in HP ratings to it.