When is fast too fast?
04-01-2011 | 09:49 AM
#81
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From: Clarkston, Michigan
04-01-2011 | 09:58 AM
#82
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,004
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From: Boca/Brentwood
04-01-2011 | 10:15 AM
#85
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clarkston, Michigan
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04-01-2011 | 10:33 AM
#86
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,808
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From: Coastal North Carolina
In my younger days when I raced them, they were known as "enduro Karts", and ran on full-size race tracks. With only 11 hp (100cc stock McCulloch) they would run in the 90's. With twin modified 135cc engines, well... 
Bingo, Tom.
Looking back, it was 10 years ago right now that we, as a community, on this very message board debated safety following the wake-up call of Dale Earnhart's death. As the details of Dale's death emerged, it became clear that the entire NASCAR community had not been as pro-active on safety as they could have been. Starting with Bill Taylor's work with Poker Runs America, Dave Patnaude's guidance of the New Jersey Performance Powerboat club, and lots of great input from this board (and others) we collectively whittled out a list of 10 key guidelines that came to be known as the "Poker Run 10 Commandments". By promoting these rules to as many organizers and one-off events as possible, I believe that the Poker Run community in general became (and is now regarded as) a far more responsible group.
Being responsible on every level is the key. All of us need to be aware of our how our actions impact everyone around us, whether we are behind the wheel or not. This includes pointing out to our friends and fellow boaters when they are stepping outside the lines.
In general, I have found performance boaters to be better-informed and better mariners than most of the "skippers" on the water. The issue is that a huge screw-up at the tiller of a sailbote at 6 knots or a cruiser at 20 knots is simply not going to generate the spectacular (and possibly tragic) results that a screw-up at high speed will. By electing to purchase the boats that we do, we are implicitly accepting a higher level of responsibility for our actions.
"Let's be careful out there."
....The reality is too fast is all about balancing our fun with safety. We all know the risks involved with going 70, 120, 180+ mph on the water and we are willing to take those risks. Their are our close friends, navigators, spouses, etc. who are willing to do the same.
It is when anyone on our boat or around our boat is unknowingly put in a position where their safety is compromised by our actions. That is when we are going too fast.
It is when anyone on our boat or around our boat is unknowingly put in a position where their safety is compromised by our actions. That is when we are going too fast.
Looking back, it was 10 years ago right now that we, as a community, on this very message board debated safety following the wake-up call of Dale Earnhart's death. As the details of Dale's death emerged, it became clear that the entire NASCAR community had not been as pro-active on safety as they could have been. Starting with Bill Taylor's work with Poker Runs America, Dave Patnaude's guidance of the New Jersey Performance Powerboat club, and lots of great input from this board (and others) we collectively whittled out a list of 10 key guidelines that came to be known as the "Poker Run 10 Commandments". By promoting these rules to as many organizers and one-off events as possible, I believe that the Poker Run community in general became (and is now regarded as) a far more responsible group.
Being responsible on every level is the key. All of us need to be aware of our how our actions impact everyone around us, whether we are behind the wheel or not. This includes pointing out to our friends and fellow boaters when they are stepping outside the lines.
In general, I have found performance boaters to be better-informed and better mariners than most of the "skippers" on the water. The issue is that a huge screw-up at the tiller of a sailbote at 6 knots or a cruiser at 20 knots is simply not going to generate the spectacular (and possibly tragic) results that a screw-up at high speed will. By electing to purchase the boats that we do, we are implicitly accepting a higher level of responsibility for our actions.
"Let's be careful out there."
__________________
Retired! Boating full-time now.
Retired! Boating full-time now.
Last edited by C_Spray; 04-01-2011 at 10:36 AM.
04-01-2011 | 11:42 AM
#87
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 3
From: Houston
In my younger days when I raced them, they were known as "enduro Karts", and ran on full-size race tracks. With only 11 hp (100cc stock McCulloch) they would run in the 90's. With twin modified 135cc engines, well...
Bingo, Tom.
Looking back, it was 10 years ago right now that we, as a community, on this very message board debated safety following the wake-up call of Dale Earnhart's death. As the details of Dale's death emerged, it became clear that the entire NASCAR community had not been as pro-active on safety as they could have been. Starting with Bill Taylor's work with Poker Runs America, Dave Patnaude's guidance of the New Jersey Performance Powerboat club, and lots of great input from this board (and others) we collectively whittled out a list of 10 key guidelines that came to be known as the "Poker Run 10 Commandments". By promoting these rules to as many organizers and one-off events as possible, I believe that the Poker Run community in general became (and is now regarded as) a far more responsible group.
Being responsible on every level is the key. All of us need to be aware of our how our actions impact everyone around us, whether we are behind the wheel or not. This includes pointing out to our friends and fellow boaters when they are stepping outside the lines.
In general, I have found performance boaters to be better-informed and better mariners than most of the "skippers" on the water. The issue is that a huge screw-up at the tiller of a sailbote at 6 knots or a cruiser at 20 knots is simply not going to generate the spectacular (and possibly tragic) results that a screw-up at high speed will. By electing to purchase the boats that we do, we are implicitly accepting a higher level of responsibility for our actions.
"Let's be careful out there."
Bingo, Tom.
Looking back, it was 10 years ago right now that we, as a community, on this very message board debated safety following the wake-up call of Dale Earnhart's death. As the details of Dale's death emerged, it became clear that the entire NASCAR community had not been as pro-active on safety as they could have been. Starting with Bill Taylor's work with Poker Runs America, Dave Patnaude's guidance of the New Jersey Performance Powerboat club, and lots of great input from this board (and others) we collectively whittled out a list of 10 key guidelines that came to be known as the "Poker Run 10 Commandments". By promoting these rules to as many organizers and one-off events as possible, I believe that the Poker Run community in general became (and is now regarded as) a far more responsible group.
Being responsible on every level is the key. All of us need to be aware of our how our actions impact everyone around us, whether we are behind the wheel or not. This includes pointing out to our friends and fellow boaters when they are stepping outside the lines.
In general, I have found performance boaters to be better-informed and better mariners than most of the "skippers" on the water. The issue is that a huge screw-up at the tiller of a sailbote at 6 knots or a cruiser at 20 knots is simply not going to generate the spectacular (and possibly tragic) results that a screw-up at high speed will. By electing to purchase the boats that we do, we are implicitly accepting a higher level of responsibility for our actions.
"Let's be careful out there."
04-01-2011 | 12:37 PM
#89
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 0
From: Boca/Brentwood
Wow, glad I'm a week-day boater. It gets down right lonely on the Great Lakes! My 22' boat can run 85+. I can cruise at 80 in good conditions. It's scary but quite predictable when I hit a rogue wave. We wear vests and I the tether and I have an orange waterproof case with emergency gear and electronics. Any speed can be dangerous.
So to answer your question of "when is fast too fast?". Never when it's on the open water. It's an adrenaline rush that I need to stay somewhat sane!!
So to answer your question of "when is fast too fast?". Never when it's on the open water. It's an adrenaline rush that I need to stay somewhat sane!!
04-01-2011 | 01:11 PM
#90
Registered
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,825
Likes: 612
From: Clarkston, Michigan
Last edited by thirdchildhood; 04-01-2011 at 01:18 PM.
