Advice about Jetskiers

boristhebold · 19 August 2013, 09:25

Need advice how to deal with Jet Skiers ridding the wake and coming too close, had an incident recently with a Jet Skier following in my wake, excelerating and coming within about 7 to 10 Meters from my stern. It is a regular issue in the Poole area especially when just leaving the harbour entrance or approaching the harbour entrance. Makes me extremely twitchy, nervous and is rather dangerous as I am very limited in those circumstances to course changes or speed changes, if I had to stop suddenly I would have a jet ski through my outboard and maybe worse. Last year I had 3 incidences of jet skiers falling off their skis right in front of me as they were jumping the wake of a large powerboat in front of me approaching the harbour.

Any advice welcome, usually hand signal and verbal sound of F*** Off does not seem to work, last incident the guy just laughed.

So what works best, slow right down completely and risk collision, change course and risk collision or what ?

mitchc · 19 August 2013, 10:25

Open the throttle and see how brave they are....

Sorry
Now serious answer, the only way to stop them is to slow down (gently off the throttle) and they'll soon get bored and find another victim.
In a previous life I was riding very fast bikes both on the road and on the track.
Some of our behaviour would have been deemed shocking to other road users, but to us was totally in control. I guess it must be like this for jet skis. They have outrageous amounts of performance on tap and to other water users it can look dangerous (and sometimes is) but to them it feels normal.
Just slow down and enjoy the scenery until the louts clear off.

jokaboat · 19 August 2013, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchc

Open the throttle and see how brave they are....

Sorry
Now serious answer, the only way to stop them is to slow down (gently off the throttle) and they'll soon get bored and find another victim.
In a previous life I was riding very fast bikes both on the road and on the track.
Some of our behaviour would have been deemed shocking to other road users, but to us was totally in control. I guess it must be like this for jet skis. They have outrageous amounts of performance on tap and to other water users it can look dangerous (and sometimes is) but to them it feels normal.
Just slow down and enjoy the scenery until the louts clear off.

Or speed up so that your wake flattens out. They lose interest then.

Zippy · 19 August 2013, 14:37

Get a camera and start taking picture / video of them. I seem to recall there were some issues at the slip way a few years ago and action was taken against the persons involved?

Sadly there are idiots in all areas. I am sure there are plenty of courteous jet ski users but the minority give them a bad name!

Slow down until they get bored seems a good solution as long as you dont put yourself In danger.

It really is quite intimidating having something so close that can cause serious damage that you dont have control over! Not easy situation!

ashbypower · 19 August 2013, 14:42

Call Poole Harbour Control on 14 and seek help/assistance/advise... there very helpful and intrested in 'ski's since the incedent in Studland bay a year or two ago..

Nos4r2 · 19 August 2013, 15:05

Poole is blighted by them. Some are ok, but most seem to be absolute pratts.

I agree with Ashbypower, get onto Poole Harbour Control.

Sunstreaker · 19 August 2013, 16:18

What about start filming them, not for the entertainment value. I am aware many harbour authorities require them to present quite a portfolio of documents before allowing there use, that's if they are paying thier dues. I would have thought they would be very conscious of having their dangerous behaviour reported which may jeopardise future use. Then maybe I am just getting old.

Bieny · 19 August 2013, 17:05

I was leaning over the back of the rib fixing the outboard the other day when a ski came past a few feet away and deliberately soaked everyone onboard!
All I managed was and angry shout that he didn't hear anyway. I couldn't find him at the slipway!

Poly · 19 August 2013, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Need advice how to deal with Jet Skiers ridding the wake and coming too close, had an incident recently with a Jet Skier following in my wake, excelerating and coming within about 7 to 10 Meters from my stern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Last year I had 3 incidences of jet skiers falling off their skis right in front of me as they were jumping the wake of a large powerboat in front of me approaching the harbour.

boris, I'm sure its just the way you have written it

but that comes across as its ok for you to follow close behind jetskis but not for them to follow close behind you.

Nos4r2 · 19 August 2013, 18:26

Having seen the behaviour of jetskiers in Poole I assumed that he meant they were crossing at high speed in front of moving boats.

Lee argyle · 19 August 2013, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

boris, I'm sure its just the way you have written it

but that comes across as its ok for you to follow close behind jetskis but not for them to follow close behind you.

I ski and rib, as always its the minority that spoil it for the majority , most weekends I witness idiots in ribs, hard boats and skis - maybe we could start a negative thread about all watercraft

boristhebold · 19 August 2013, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

boris, I'm sure its just the way you have written it

but that comes across as its ok for you to follow close behind jetskis but not for them to follow close behind you.

For clarity, returning towards poole harbour entrance to the side slightly and behind other boats at a safe distance, jet skiers were crossing the flow of the traffic jumping big boats wake in front of me. Basicaly they hang around the entrance to cross the natural flow of traffic and jump wakes, the older style of jet ski rather than the more jet bike version are prone to the riders falling off.

GJ0KYZ · 19 August 2013, 20:50

I've posted this thread on PWC forum to see what they say. Here's the link:Ribbers not happy about jet skiers - PWCforums

boristhebold · 19 August 2013, 20:57

We all know there are wan&&&rs on the water in all types of craft. There are less jet skiers on the water in my area and more other types of boats. However the jet skiers contribute greatly to being in the most pain in the backside catagory if your making way in your boat, swimming near the shoreline or at anchor, thats just facts. Im not enjoying moaning about them im passed that, what i need is sound practical advice about how to deal with them. So far i guess no pointbcalling phc as the skiers will be gone by the time they respond so alternative is to slow down gently which in itself is risky or speed up which then may increase the risk. So screwed whatever. Maybe if everyone actually reported incidences to the harbour master then maybe the threat of banning them in the area might encourage the culprots to tame their behaviour. I aint go no answers.

Poly · 19 August 2013, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

....so alternative is to slow down gently which in itself is risky ....

really? frustrating maybe but rarely would slowing down gently actually increase risk.

Steve_B · 19 August 2013, 21:38

Being a regualar user of the Harbour, I can concour with Boris and sadly, I dont have the answer.
PHC have a very small presence in the harbour, with at busy times one hard boat and one jetski, covering the 2nd largest harbour in the world. Calling in problems with PWC's is difficult as identification is difficult and it could end up with one persons word against another.
The Parker produces a huge wake at sub-planning speeds and is targeted as we leave and enter the harbour, with the added "thrill" of some trying to soak our passengers with the stupid roster tail (what is that all about?). We cannot give gestures or shout, as that would look/sound unprofessional in front of the passengers.
I would say very strongly, that it is the minority of PWC, as we have some very pleasant interactions with most of the others (running along side or giving each other wide berths).
Steve

GJ0KYZ · 19 August 2013, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

.. with the added "thrill" of some trying to soak our passengers with the stupid roster tail (what is that all about?).

Only Yamaha Waverunners have this feature. The idea is to provide extra visibility when skiing in surf or heavy skis. Like this for instance. The bit at 01:28 is particularly full-on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-uecXAdfgU]

matt h · 19 August 2013, 21:56

Its actually to give a visual indication of a partial or blockage on the jet aperture.
Even a plastic bag around the jet will reduce the water jet considerably.

rik_elliott · 19 August 2013, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

Only Yamaha Waverunners have this feature. The idea is to provide extra visibility when skiing in surf or heavy skis. Like this for instance. The bit at 01:28 is particularly full-on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-uecXAdfgU]

Crikey. I initially thought what an idiot. But then he did spend the first ten seconds putting his kill cord on....

I also thought he's got serious balls going out in waves like that. Until he stacks it at 1.28, looks like any balls he had were fired back up inside given how hard the ski lands....

Doug Stormforce · 20 August 2013, 00:17

I thought I was on YBW for a moment

General intolerance of PWC and PWC bashing is not normally a feature of this forum.

So there are a few nobs out there, in the central Solent where I sail we see far more selfish power boaters than we do PW riders, however I usually just smile at their ignorance and get on with my day. Like road rage, (or forum rage) it's only a big deal if you make it a big deal.

If however one of the minority of any group are endangering you or you family, get the camera out as previously suggested. I reckon that will scare most people off.