Safety is a relative term. I have been around hot rod cars and sport cars all my life. I know what is safe, kind of safe, and what is dangerous when it comes to cars.

In powerboats I am still learning and want to make sure to know what isn't safe.

Seeing a video of a boats trim up to high going over waves and flipping is always a concern. There was also this attached video and countless racing videos where boats are airborne in choppy water.

Is it "safe" for a 30 plus foot cigarette (or deep vee) to go airborne? What makes it unsafe? How do you know when the trim is too high?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNP_...eature=related

Most high quality deep vee's are designed to be able to go airborne as many times as you want to do it, as long as it's done correctly.

It would be unsafe to drive one at speeds, or conditions that are outside of the operators skill level, or to drive one more aggressively than the water conditions will allow for.

If you are porposing down the water, or repeatedly landing on the swim platform after coming off of a wave, the trim is likely too high.

there is always a real safety factor in boating. i don't really see the need for jumping waves just for the fun factor on a regular basis. i would rather run glass all day long if given a choice. now if your caught in some nasty stuff and its a must do then just take your time, be smart, and get in. try to keep our insurance rates down ok... mark

No problem getting some air. The boat should be trimmed so it flys relatively level. The boat in the vid is overtrimmed some.........and way to close to the boat taking the video.
The other danger is the trip and stuff. You launch off a wave, the stern catches the next wave, pulls the bow down fast and stuffs the bow into the next wave.

Plenty of safe air time in this video, although some are over trimmed trying to get more air for the camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6VJJfSaOYw

Look up Tres Martin and take his class
worth every penny, thats what i did when i got my cigarette and even though i have been boating for 30+ years i learned a lot

I'd agree that about 50% of the boats shown in that video are trimmed and tabbed properly. The other 50% have either too much positive trim or not enough tab. How do you tell right from wrong? The way they're flying and landing. As Griff has correctly stated, flying a boat correctly generally means it flys - and lands - fairly level. The further back on the hull that you land, the bigger the chance of something bad happening. Look at Griff's picture. Notice how level his flight is? Perfect!

This is about perfect...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpj_N...eature=related





I love this video...

Up until 3:10...classic trip and stuff. That's what you want to avoid.

Man, I love that video.

Not at all....

In that run the had an issue with a short or a power draw with the pumps

Bobby set them at one best guess setting and left em alone... Hense some nose down landing and a trip

SCOPE video run!!!!!!!! WooooHoooo!


The only time by boat leaves the water is when I put it on the trailer.