Well T2x, Thanks for taking off yer' slippers and sharing your ideals with us... Well put... glad you can appreciate the sardonic nature of my post :D

Well, since the spirit of the thread has passed the sophomoric stage, I'll squelch any retort I had, especially the references to ero-sadist humor...

Miami stated my hidden agenda best in his last paragraph, stating, Quote: "Please share with us."

My thoughts exactly. Now that we've made clear that there exists a looming possibility of some thrill seeking politico grasping for the limelight with 'performance boats' serving as a polster rating utility, it may be time we graduate from feeling groovy about our collective abilities. Why not create a forum in which "thems without" can ask "thems with" experience in driving boats in different conditions at various speeds, with both stepped/ventilated, non-ventilated and cat hulls.

It sure would be nice to have a group of folks with Offshore Racing Experience available to ask direct handling, condition and speed questions _GIVEN_ the complete lack of professional training available.

Beyond a forum: T2x... you appear as a fairly capable person (aside from the wallet-sized picture of Ricky Martin you insist on carrying), as do most of the other folks with your experience... why not try putting together a HP Driving school? With over 3,000 members on this board alone, and with countless others running Poker Runs across the country, seems the demand would be fairly high. What's killing the Wellcraft school, if it is even there anymore, is the fact that people believe you need to have bought a new Scarab to attend.

Break the mold.

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: rwilson ]

Whats T2x's opinion on Scarab anyhow? I would enjoy that.


You must applaud Wellcraft for the school.(although I believe it was a way to justify the price of a new boat to a new owner...even though it actually had a benefit). It is now open to the public from what I understand at its last session.


I believe a lot of people would love to see a "Driving" School for offshore boats. But with the costs involved you know the average lake racer won't attend and gain the benefit. The priveleged few who attend will most likely be a "well off" enthusiast who is there for the experience. Fine, but the average lake racing nut who thinks he can handle his craft will never see the the seat time with a professional. Thus, never improving safety for us all, because the responsible ones on the water, are the same responsible ones taking the classes. When was the last time you saw one of those lake racing daredevils in control of 1500+ hp (heck, 700+)at a Coast Guard PowerSquadron class to actualy learn the rules, or what the hell a green buoy really is anyway?

Racing is racing...
People with pleasure boats should never be fooled thinking their boats are up to that task.
Besides...
I must admit I can negotiate charts, channels, rifts, bays, rocks, and docks in My Scarab better than I can a boat above 70. Because thats where I always am. I rarely go that fast(Even if my boat did that!) But putting the 33 foot Scarab, in 33 feet of dock space, with a crowd watching, is just as much a performance thing as running WOT to me!!!
I know I am a little out of the wake but thats OK!
jb
:cool: :D :) :cool:

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: jb ]

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: jb ]

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: jb ]

I had all those damn edits because I could not remember tx2 t2x...I kept changing it LOL

BUT... funny how this is the only thread that has had the legs to make it through all the events since September 11th and stay on the 1st page.

JB, I couldn't agree more. The school in FLA may be great but I doubt many will attend. Most men don't even like asking driving directions much less paying someone to show them how to operate a boat. I also agree that docking a boat while maintaining control and composure is a big part of boating. Now try it near an inlet with an 4mph tide that is hopefully running against you. (think about it)

I have always been amazed that boats like JetSet are perfectly legal while running 160 mph on a Sunday afternoon. Think about history. Boats never went over about 30 mph so a no wake near shore and around bridges was all that was needed. When I was 17 the hottest boat on the bay was a 21 SeaRay. The only things that went fast were offshore race boats. Even then, in the late 70s and 80s, open class boat never had top speeds over 85mph. Also, no pleasure boat was as fast as a race boat.

Nowdays, some pleasure boats are faster than the fastest race boats.. ala Jetset 180 Vs Planetman 170.

Technology has passed the attention of the legislative bodies. I think this is called "flying under the radar". One of these days some politian is going to get a wild hair up his ass and use excessive boat speed and noise as a "platform" for election. And NO, I don't think T2x is running for office, becuase he is currently under house arrest and can only communicate via computer. Something about chasing Ricky Martin like a loon demanding for a picture.

So where do we start. By VOLUNTARILY taking the CG or PowerSquadron safety couses. They are invaluable in learning basic boating and docking procedures. They also teach respect for the sea.

The point is...the fun continues as long as we stay under the radar. This means to stay out of the newspapers. You may also want to consider using mufflers and life jacket to give the appearance of being safety concious.

I just thank God that we don't have Manatees and SeaTurtles in Joisy.

I would agree. Here in central florida there are two basic environments to boat - the intracostal and the gulf. There is no need to run a buck on the intercoastal through boat traffic and those pesky seadoos. Likewise, there would seem to be no reason not to run to the best of your abilities in the gulf of mexico.

Further, I agree that taking a boating course - any boating course - is better than taking no course as well. All to often, the most increadable (and therefor newsworthy) incidents are caused by avoidable driver error in navigation or around other vessels.

Ask yourself this next time you are at the gas dock waiting for your tankful: If someone can not control a boat going two miles per hour approaching a stationary object, how the hell can that same person operate a boat at seventy in traffic?

Well, I see that we have yet to start conversing about the actual handling of a boat at high speed. Do I hear the Beachboys playing in the background?!? Put down the monkey, T2!

So either we are all doing it _right_ and you racers out there are simpletons without an ounce of talent...which very well could be the state of the sport.... OR anyone who has experience in handling a boat at high speed is unwilling to share their knowledge for one of two reasons:
1. They are scared that other OSO members will disagree. (hate to defend themselves)
2. They are scared that other competitors will steal their 'secrets'.(insecure)

Right about now, T2 might start another big' un..sayin' "naw", "shucks" and carry on about how I'm missing the point... but take a moment and ponder this.. Why is it every post since we asked for HELP has focused completely off-topic???... We asked to be safer drivers... we asked for examples and coaching... I say **** it, kill a fisherman... wooden skiffs rarely clip the gelcoat. (tongue in cheek, apologies to all the fisherman.. I'm taking courses on being PC. They are expensive.)

Twin29, in bike racing, this is the norm, no? Young guns ask old dogs for "juice"... body mechanics, peg steering, countersteering, throttle application, rear braking techniques, etc... And seems to me, everyone was happy to share if you asked.

So far, we've seen "war stories" about dead sneakers and broken canopies, legislation and the $$ of boat schools, then a full monologue on the benefits of the USCG Black Squadron courses for drunken boat handling during a Nor'Easter. No performance dynamics, save for.. "Never run 10/10th's". Whoa. Deep man.. wicked deep.

Saw that one on a Bazooka wrapper in '82.

So T2 and the Racer crowd... What gives?

Whatsamatta fellas, Ricky Martin got your tongue? :D

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: rwilson ]

Very well said.

It seems that the "professional" drivers have decided that (1) they are the only ones qualified to operate a boat a high speeds, (2) this information, if it were to fall into the hands of lesser boaters could be more than the poor soles could handle, and/or (3) they would rather the sport die with them than move forward.

Considering the fact that these people are present and are monitoring these posts (and others), I do not understand why they won't at least pipe up with something. Even a crabby "mind your own business, I need to tune my chainsaw" would be welcome, as opposed to the very conspicuous silence.

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: Adivanman ]

rwilson: I probabably asked more questions than anybody but I kind of approached it like TooOld,listened to everything everybody had to say and came to my own conclusions, but you must understand that motorcycle road racing is the egomaniac capital of the world, some of the legends are almost unapproachable unless youre telling them how great they are.but some of them were really great ,give you the shirt off their back. But when you sat around with your own group of buddies set up,lines,braking points etc was all you talked about....I always kept my ears open, even to the obnoxious ones....you may pick up one little thing in a 10 min conversation that could take you months to tumble to on your own....

hey OTTO- my hats off to you man, What a great mindset for driving a seriously fast boat....could somebody start a thread called "The Safety Post" and post OTTO's list as the opening post, I'd do it but I dont have the computer skills..... :mad: :mad:

the :mad: :mad: were for my lack of comp skills, great post OTTO :) :)