hard lessons.
04-11-2017, 01:19 PM
#41
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In this case, the owner even had some racing experience in catamarans. In the Lake Lanier case, both couples were long time high speed boaters. Everyone knew the risk but nobody planned on dying that day either. The Lanier case didn't publish the crash results but said high speed was a factor and oddly no toxicology results were obtained but police reported finding large quantities of alcohol at the crash scene.
I have zero catamaran experience and have never operated a boat at 100+ mph. I can see how these boats get out of control as they are damn near airplanes at certain speeds (packing air) and with over 2500 HP there is plenty of power to get the operator in trouble quickly.
I would think think after multiple fatalities in Somerset, Lanier and LOTO (all with experienced owners) the insurance companies are going to be the ones that put the brakes on owning these types of boats.
I have zero catamaran experience and have never operated a boat at 100+ mph. I can see how these boats get out of control as they are damn near airplanes at certain speeds (packing air) and with over 2500 HP there is plenty of power to get the operator in trouble quickly.
I would think think after multiple fatalities in Somerset, Lanier and LOTO (all with experienced owners) the insurance companies are going to be the ones that put the brakes on owning these types of boats.
04-11-2017, 01:25 PM
#42
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04-11-2017, 01:43 PM
#44
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It's tragic when these wrecks happen and the occupants are killed. But think about one of them spearing through a crowd of innocent boaters, toons and ski boats full of families, out of control over 100 mph. The general public won't get over that if and when it happens. IMO that's what will finally force things to change. Laws, insurance, license requirements....any or all the above.
If you get pulled over driving your sports car 100 mph on a public road, you're going straight to jail around here. You don't have to be drunk. Then points on your license you have to pay for annually if they don't suspend it.
I didn't know any of the folks who've been lost the last several years but I think of them often and remember the names. Almost creepy, but I felt sick every time it happened and it's stuck with me.
If you get pulled over driving your sports car 100 mph on a public road, you're going straight to jail around here. You don't have to be drunk. Then points on your license you have to pay for annually if they don't suspend it.
I didn't know any of the folks who've been lost the last several years but I think of them often and remember the names. Almost creepy, but I felt sick every time it happened and it's stuck with me.
04-11-2017, 04:12 PM
#45
I would say this is more akin to high performance boating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZtzrbe6Ixo
04-11-2017, 06:28 PM
#46
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Thread Starter
So at what point does everybody raise their hand and say they were drunk? I suspect never.
Well for starters, roads are generally pretty flat, sports cars have brakes and in most cases traffic flows together in the same direction........none of those things are considerations for boats.
I would say this is more akin to high performance boating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZtzrbe6Ixo
I would say this is more akin to high performance boating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZtzrbe6Ixo
04-11-2017, 08:07 PM
#47
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IMHO, alcohol effects different people differently and from day to day no matter the % their levels would indicate - does it change the fact that it's legally impaired no... but 1 more leisurely cocktail doesn't feel like it would impair in the company of friends...
Compound that with the size of a 44' boat that will easily run north of 160, 100 mph seems like a conservative cruise... its not like running 100 in a lil' 24 Skater in the chop.
After so many months since the accident(s) from 2016, we can only learn from the loss of some very good people and temper our own actions as we each see fit...Sadly its an Extremely difficult way to see the big picture....
Compound that with the size of a 44' boat that will easily run north of 160, 100 mph seems like a conservative cruise... its not like running 100 in a lil' 24 Skater in the chop.
After so many months since the accident(s) from 2016, we can only learn from the loss of some very good people and temper our own actions as we each see fit...Sadly its an Extremely difficult way to see the big picture....
04-11-2017, 08:16 PM
#48
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A friend in the insurance business equates coverage to gambling in Vegas - the "house" will always encourage you to keep playing/paying provided the odds are highly in their favor against payout... you pay or you pay. High premiums thins the herd numbers as to who will and who can play at a given level.
Quite simple....
04-11-2017, 08:58 PM
#49
You didn't mention it in your opening post.......In the Brad Smith Skater fatality I'm pretty sure they weren't drunk, nor was Mike Fiore in the shootout nor the two guys in the 36 Skater in the Northeast speed run. Experienced guys, no booze and the same result. At what point does everyone raise their hand and say "THESE 2500+ HP BOATS ARE FAST AND DANGEROUS?" I suspect never.
04-12-2017, 06:01 AM
#50
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I had a racer friend observe that a 38 Skater (Or pick any other brand you want) with 1650's in it, is almost akin to an F1 car. In other words, it is the highest level of performance you can own on the water.
How many of us are qualified to drive an F1 car? How many of us that road race are qualified to drive an F1 car?
I make no suggestions here and I'm all about personal responsibility and individual rights, but I thought that observation was interesting..
How many of us are qualified to drive an F1 car? How many of us that road race are qualified to drive an F1 car?
I make no suggestions here and I'm all about personal responsibility and individual rights, but I thought that observation was interesting..
