http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS7hp...hannel&list=UL

Did this jet-ski owner not even see this guy?! Very close call!

EDIT: video already posted by someone else

That looks like the driver of the Fountains fault. That Fountain looks like its doing at least 100mph. The jet ski might be doing 50mph max. I look forward and back when running fast in my boat (lots of boats are faster than mine). Don't expect people to look back when you are passing them, most people don't look back in a boat or jet ski. The guy in the Fountain is lucky he did not kill the people on that jet ski. I always slow down, match speed and let the other boat or jet ski see me before I hammer down again and pass them.

That is one DAMN lucky Fountain driver/owner. If that was a collision, it would have absolutely been his fault.

The PWC was the stand on vessel.
The Fountain was the overtaking and giveaway vessel.

While the PWC did not maintain a steady course, the giveaway vessel is still required to give way.

4bus (the Fountain driver) had the right of way

http://www.auxguidanceskills.info/press/bigger.html

Wow, I'm on oso trial :)

That jet ski was all over the place, and made eye contact with me before making the turn. Happened so fast I didn't even have time to turn the wheel or back off. Really wasn't expecting it.

A jet ski is much more nimble than a boat, looking back I should have backed off, however I was 100 percent sure they saw me and knew my heading.

I guess in the future, everytime I see a jet ski I will come off plane just to be safe

That is the rules of the road for ships over 65 feet in length. What you do when your around big ships over 65 feet in length. Or if you are a ship 65 feet or longer.

That's not the rules of the road for recreational boats.

Most states have their own rules but the link below is what most follow. The jet ski was the stand on vessel and had right of way.

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/c...ral/6_2_b1.php

Anyways if the jet ski did actually look behind and see 4bus about to overtake him then there is no problem. Always make sure people see you before you pass them especially jet skis because who knows if they are going to do a 180 out of no where.

I'm going to disagree. As people on here have said that he needed to be in the main channel, that makes him constrained by draft. Therefore the smaller, more maneuverable craft with less draft needs to give way.

I agree

WRONG those rules of the road are for ships not rec boats.

Traffic, as defined by both the release and the federal navigation rules are “narrow channels” that “restrict the movement of vessels, which are constrained by their draft”. Herein lies the tale of why us SMALL boaters should NOT play in traffic when the big boats are there.

That is directly from that CG page you posted which is rules of the road for ships not rec boats and why you need to stay the %##& out of their way. The Fountain or jet ski are NOT deep draft vessels and are NOT constrained by draft and do NOT require staying in a shipping channel. The rules rec boats need to follow are in the link I posted earlier.

I am active duty US Coast Guard for 12 years now. I am not the guy in the small boat checking your life preservers, I work on and drive our ships. I'm currently stationed on a 225 foot long buoy tender. We draft 13 feet, that's deep draft and we are constrained buy our draft so we need to stay in the shipping channel. If your around a ship and you hear 5 short blast from that ships air horn it means get out of the way because your in the shipping channel and in the way. That's what those rules of the road are talking about.

I still say the ski should get out of the way. That why all those people get killed up here. They just pay absolutely no attention to what's going on. Your required in pa to do a safe boaters course to operate a jet ski. I got 100% on that test in 1990 I was born in 82. I the. Took coast guard courses and plotting courses at the same age. I was a boat operated since I was eight now granted then I only had a row trihul ten foot but I was out everyday. I then went to jet skis. I don't care what the rules say when your on a pwc you need to be aware of what's going on. I can't tell from the video what that guy was up to and how wide the channel is but regardless of what your driving you just can't be out darting all over the place. If your gonna be making turns etc you need to know whose behind you. I don care about law it's common sense. Especially if your in a constricted channel setting you can't be cruising at 60 and decide your gonna make a immediate right or left hand turn and not look behind you. A pwc can make a immediate 90 in seconds. There is not boat that can do that or react to that. It's the boaters job to be safe keep distance etc i get all of that but you just can't be out that blindly whipping around. I know a guy who killed a pwc rider. Sold his boat and really messed him up. Up here in the bay thy rent pwc. If you have t done the course "which is now bs because you can do it online and the answer are also online" they allow you to watch like a ten minute video and take off. So no prior boating no nothing you get to hop on a 65 mph ski and go out in the bay. This makes for hell up here. I again don't care about the laws in this case when I see a pwc I back the hell off. It's like putting a 16 yeAr old kid on a 1000cc crotch rocket in rush hour traffic. Bottom line I guess without me continuing to babble for an hour if your a fast moving vessel pwc or boat you need to know what's around you. I always look in all directions when I change course in my boat. I don't have a big boat like all of you but it's still 30 feet. There's ways someone bigger or smaller faster or slower around you that may not be as smart as you and will turn tragic. Just pay attention. Always look behind you when you turn. I always do and just stay the hell away from pwc. That could have been tragic very easily. People just don't have common sense.

I agree with all that. 4bus said the jet ski seen him and he was 100% sure the jet ski knew his coarse and that 4bus was going to overtake him. That is the big thing making sure people see you before passing, turning, etc. The video just makes it look really close.

It's amazing how many people don't know the rules of the road, its not just jet skis. I am really tired of azzhats in big cruisers that think they have the right of way just because they are bigger than my 24 sunny.

My point exactly. You have to be aware of other boaters because most are ignorant to the rules laws and common sense

This is the last time I am going to attempt to explain this video. Bottom line I was the only one on this thread that was there, stop making assumptions.

First....ever try to avoid a rabbit in the road? The one that runs back and forth and you react and still squash it? What happened before this near miss was exactly that.

I went through the no wake cut and they caught up to us, came off plane waved and smiled. They went back on plane long before the no wake ended, I waited then slowly came back on plane. In the distance I could see they were waiting for us, and I already was getting a little peed-off, knowing I was going to have a ski bussing around me...and we were on a "Boat ride" with the intentions of going fast.

They did some circles in the middle of the "channel" if you will, then went into the bay you see on the left of the video. As we came closer to the bay they came out and started "racing" Both girls were looking back at me trying to race. At this point I was already wide open, they saw me and made eye contact out in front of me. They turned their ski to be on the same line as me, I started turning slightly to the left, the most that I could, as their line was going to the left a little more than mine.

I guess at this point I could have came off plane, yelled at them to go away, then start all over....not really my thing. Or I could have backed off, let them walk me on their supercharged jet ski, but I knew if I did that they would be back to race when I came back through 30 mins later lol. Some of these new skis are faster than 90% of the boats out there, so they most likely win these "races" all day long.

What happend next scared the hell out of me. I really think they think they had me beat on top speed, and started a very aggressive left hand sweeping turn until they saw my bow. I acutally lost sight of them for a second and thought for sure there was going to be a collision. Seconds before their turn they had looked back at me, again I truely believe they thought they had no issues thinking they were faster.

In a car, on the road you don't have to look behind you because there are "lanes" forcing everyone to basically go the same way. However, how many here check their mirrors when make a left turn on the road in a passing zone? I do, and have saved an accident at least 3 time in my life.

If you are racing someone and decide to end the race and turn left into their path, you are a jack ass IMO! Why would they turn towards me? Also that ski was capable of turning at that speed, I was not IMO.

And I ALWAYS look behind me when turning my boat, always. Maybe I shouldn't have to cause I have the right of way?!??, but I would rather not chance it seeing boats do not have directionals, brake lights, or lanes to drive in.

IMO all 4bus should have done was give 2 short horns while closing in and be prepared to change his course/speed if necessary to safely overtake the PWC.
I hate boating in situations like these channels. Both pilots were well aware of the other vessel and it's heading but the stand on vessel in spite of this knowledge changes direction right into the path of the boat overtaking him.
In motorcycle racing we have an unwritten but well understood rule. Slower riders HOLD THEIR LINE, the faster riders will come around them cleanly.
Sometimes they need a little wake up call later in the pits with a little hollering at them as to how you hold your line in a race,
this girl needed a little of that directed her way back at the docks.
I wonder if she realizes just how close of a call that was.
I'm certain 4bus did, it would have scared the $hit out of me too.

See ya,
Kelly

Sunrocket, I know exactly what your saying and I follow the rules at all times but there are certain circumstances that its not possible to do so.

For instance, when at LOTO the water is 15 to 100+ feet deep so its no problem following the proper rules. However, on Lake Shelbyville (flood control lake) the main channel is narrow and is 10-15ft deep but out of the channel its very shallow with stumps in some spots. I will absolutely not run my boat aground at speed with passengers on board just because some guy on a jet ski veers toward me at the last second.

Rocket, thanks for the link to this website, great stuff indeed.

I didn't even think of the 5 short horns signaling danger, I was just thinking of passing them on their port side.

Most of the SE Texas pleasure boaters don't even know horns, it seems to be for saltwater fishermen only here.

On the lake I'm as guilty as all the rest in not signaling intent, I seem to only be there in the channels of the bays or the ICW.
I guess I go from pleasure boating mindset to fishing mindset and remember to follow boating directive again.

4bus, your boat looks like it handles awesomly and was tracking great and riding very stable at the speed. Congrats on your purchase.

See ya,
Kelly

I don't want you to do that either. The main thing we all most focus on is driving defensively and offensively at the same time. Not everyone knows the rules or operate by them if they do know the rules. And there are just plain azzholes on the water, on jet skis and boats. Never assume the other driver sees you or is going to hold his heading. Assumption of what someone is going to do is the cause of a lot of accidents. Give yourself plenty of distance from the other boat/jet ski and have a way out (turning or backing off).

Thanks Kelly, wish I had more season to use it. 50 degrees and rain here today, u know Texas January weather :)

The air, not a bad idea. However I was doing 90 mph + and I am sure they were doing 60 plus, not sure anyone would have saw and, and I certainly wouldn't have had time to blow it.

Just a near miss is all folks. I am a responsible boater and usually see things before they happen, this one just caught me off gaurd

I have one of the handheld airhorns always in the cupholder right behind my throttles,
its friekin loud and i have no problem blaring it at idiot jetskiers and boaters,
as amazing as it most arent doing it on purpose they are just that stupid that they dont even realize they are putting themselves in danger. A nice airhorn blast wakes them right up..
I keep a spare in the cuddy besides the standard boat horn.

I'm right there with you at the lake with the airhorn, my lake boats' horn is pathetic, and the handheld air horns are loud for sure. Sad part is I don't use it.
Our family's offshore fishing boat has a pair of horns off a Peterbuilt mounted over the flybridge. It's mostly used at night in the ICW overtaking a barge, and when within sight of the Coast Guard stations if there's traffic in the intracoastal or at the cuts to the Gulf at Port O'Conner or Freeport.

4bus, I'm certain that was a nervewracking pass when she came over into your line. I can see how she thought they had you on speed, our GP1300R's will destroy most all powerboats
up to the low/mid 70's, and then only a select few will reel us in on top speed. We only lose drag races to other modified jet skis. I listed them on C-list today if anybody's interested. They'll hit mid 60's in 1's and mid 70's in a 3 to 6" ripple, but they'll beat you to death attempting speeds in 2+.
One of the boys got tossed this weekend at 50 over the gunnel that twisted and sprained an ankle.
This, plus your near collision incident has gotten me to think that I should keep the slower ones and move these two.
People you can trust me on this, there's nothing more exciting/petrifying than piloting a 9' ski at 70plus.
They sit on a McClain aluminum dual ski trailer with mounted tool/gearbox and spare tire.

See ya,
Kelly

I used to own a GP1300 that I purchased new, I did all the Riva stage 3 mods, and them some trying to chase 80 mph. Never got there but got 78 mph gps, and then I was left with a $20,000 jet ski. My ex girlfriend used to like jet skis over my boats...if you can believe that.

One thing I noted while owning jet skis and boat at the same time was

A. No one likes you on the a jet ski
B. It is always your fault when on a ski
C. Some guy in a $500 boat will yell at you, even when he is at fault

I don't miss the skis, and I can relate to owners of skis. However, I am not arrogant thinking I own the water. We were having fun with the ski in the video, then the fun turned dangerous so fast I couldn't even react. Lesson learned

4bus was not at fault and airhorns are useless at that speed and situation. I love riding PWCs and obey the same rules as the boats. Mainly look before you turn. A lot of them just don't look and that's what started this thread I am pretty sure. I am constantly looking around when driving my boat.

A,B,&C how very funny but true. The only ones that seem to like us are the kids that yell at us to aim the roost their direction on the dock or on the beach, then the parents get upset, LOL!!!
Your fun on the water with the ski turned dangerous and my son in laws ankle is what prompted me to list the 1300's.
When we boys take out the skis everyone wants the fastest ones and we ALWAYS go out on boat/ski patrol to drum up races if the water isn't to rough.

See ya,
Kelly

Running 88 in Lake of the Isles is a bit obnoxious. Can't believe you didn't lift at all for a potential hazard. My $0.02.

Not quite as obnoxious as your statement. Glad you go all that from a video camera facing backwards.

Tell you what, you lift every time you see ANYTHING, because everything is a potential hazard right? I mean a wave, a wake, a boat, a buoy, fish, the sun, everything.....why even go on plane?

There is no speed limit inn LOTI. This jet ski and I were the only ones out (thursday, near dusk) The ski made eye contact with me multiple times (maybe you didn't read the rest of the thread) And the ski decided to start driving erraticaly at speed, not me who was running straight. I reserve the right to drive my boat as I wish, and aside from this incident I never have close calls or complaints.

Loving the internet safety police on this site lately, and they all seem to have one thing in common....they do not own go fast boats. Why are you here?

All it takes is one 88mph crash into a jet ski, regardless of who is at fault, and then everyone is impacted by new speed restrictions. And just because you own a faster boat, I can't comment here??? I wasn't slamming you, just from the video it appears that if you collided, you'd possibly be charged with violating NYS navigation law 102-2, where they could say your rate of speed endangered others. I also think there's a 30 mph speed limit just before dusk up there, but not sure. Either way, if someone dies, you can end up in prison. That's why I lift; I don't trust jet-skiers because you can almost count on them to drive completely erratically. BTW, This is a forum, where people can have differing viewpoints, so deal with it.

4Bus, I just read your longer explanation and it makes more sense. Sorry I didn't always read 14 pages of comments; the video by itself doesn't look too good on your behalf. I can understand the speed, trying to seperate from asshats, however if you did collide you'd still be stuck explaining to a jury how you were innocent, and that video is the only proof, and we know how a jury would side when you're driving a 38 foot Fountain doing close to 90. The whole situation complately sucked and we can all analyze it afterwards, but I still stand by my above post, that you'd likely be facing charges (justified or not). Goes to prove you can't ever trust a jet ski.

And you may lift, that is your right, just like it is my right to let my boat stretch it's legs once in a while.....other wise I would not own it.

For stating an opinion you tried awful hard to make it sound like a fact.

The speed limit in A*bay is the channel going through town from lighthouse to bridge. Basically 30 mph day, and off plane at night. I was not in that channel.

There was no collision. You can spend your days worrying that something bad is going to happen at every turn, I chose not to live my life like that. But to state that I am in the wrong because I am less cautious than you is garbage.

I held my heading, I made eye contact multiple times, the ski was driving erratic. I was sober, had there been a collision I would not had been at fault....they would have hit the side of my boat, not the front, and my video would not have been a factor...it is my video and my right.

I wasn't talking about that channel either. I thought there was a near dusk (30) and post dusk (15) speed limit in the entire area. I never said you were right or wrong, just that you didn't lift. I don't spend my life worrying about every turn. Why did you post the video if you can't take the feedback from others of what our first impression is from watching it?

I don't understand, I can handle it, I am now sharing my opinion of you and your type, this is a forum right?

And I said near dusk, sun was still up

LOL @ "your type". I give feedbck and you make personal attacks. A little sensitive, are we?

And by sensitive you mean defending my sport from people that want us to slow down, be quite, and just cruise? Yes I am sensitive to that.

The "hull truth" is a great place to discuss how to try to control everyone else, this is an offshore enthusiast site :D

I'm not trying to control you. I enjoy driving fast, whether it be a boat, car, atv, etc. I love offshore boating. We're being restricted like crazy here in and around Rochester (25 mph speed limit 1,500' out into Lake Ontario, 25 mph in Irondequoit Bay, 45 mph on Canandaigua Lake, etc). This year alone I've ponied up cash and attended town board meetings to fight the latest speed and anchoring restrictions on Lake Ontario, just offshore Rochester. Slam me all you want, but I fight for our ability to drive fast. I'm just pointing out that single incidents can result in new restrictions (it did for us), and that even when you think you're in the right, it's often hard to prove it, and we still end with new laws anyways.

I did avoid the accident/ collision, are you people watching a different video?

So if you ate driving down the road and someone pulls in front of you, and you can't stop in time it is you fault?

You people amaze me lol.

Must be. I didn't see you lift on the throttle or swerve in the one I saw.

Wait a minute! So there's this guy, out on the lake that is pretty much deserted and along comes this PWC wanting to "race" and HE is supposed to slow down? I can tell ya, if it were me, I'd have done the same thing. You guys are acting like he was plowing through a no wake zone with kids floating around!! The PWC CAME TO HIM!!! He was minding his own business and running his boat on an open lake.

BTW, how was he driving too fast for conditions? Wasn't the PWC doing so as well? He DID avoid the collision too!