Driving a boat with a skier or tuber

tis · 09-03-2013, 01:08 PM

A long time ago I posted this scenario and never got an answer. Since we saw a single ski floating for a long long time out in the middle, it comes to mind. If someone drops a ski and another boat comes along and hits it, who is responsible? The person who dropped the ski because he damaged the other boat, or the boat because he damaged the ski?

HellRaZoR004 · 09-03-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

A long time ago I posted this scenario and never got an answer. Since we saw a single ski floating for a long long time out in the middle, it comes to mind. If someone drops a ski and another boat comes along and hits it, who is responsible? The person who dropped the ski because he damaged the other boat, or the boat because he damaged the ski?

I had this exact thing happen about 5 years ago on lake Sunapee.

I was up on two ski's and got close to shore in a quiet bay and dropped one. Moments later another boat (some kid with dad's boat) ran over the ski . Ripped the ski on half and had fiberglass splinters everywhere.

Prop shaft (inboard) was bent and had major vibrations. We offered to tow the boat in but they declined. That's the last of it...

In my mind he's at fault for not looking in the water (the ski's were solid white). I'm sure he was pissed I put it there, but there's nothing I could have done different (besides not dropping it).

AC2717 · 09-03-2013, 01:45 PM

I dont think that is any different then there being floating debris in the water. You need to pay attention to where you are going and what is in front of you. Also benefit of the doubt that they might not have seen the ski you dropped, but still leans to the boat driver a.k.a The Captain

SIKSUKR · 09-03-2013, 01:56 PM

A suggestion on towing tubes. I was always taught when I was skiing that if your ski is still near you then hold it up if another boat is approaching. Can't do that tubing. When pulling a tube and a rider falls off, don't do the usual circling back at speed in a big arc. Immediately come to headway speed and turn directly back to the tuber and speed back up. This should get the attention of another boat.

SAMIAM · 09-04-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

A suggestion on towing tubes. I was always taught when I was skiing that if your ski is still near you then hold it up if another boat is approaching. Can't do that tubing. When pulling a tube and a rider falls off, don't do the usual circling back at speed in a big arc. Immediately come to headway speed and turn directly back to the tuber and speed back up. This should get the attention of another boat.

That is a great idea, SIKSUKR. Most of my life on the lake and I never heard of that and it makes total sense. If you drive directly back to the person in the water, the oncoming boat would move to avoid you even if they didn't see the person.

MJM · 09-03-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

I had this exact thing happen about 5 years ago on lake Sunapee.

I was up on two ski's and got close to shore in a quiet bay and dropped one. Moments later another boat (some kid with dad's boat) ran over the ski . Ripped the ski on half and had fiberglass splinters everywhere.

Prop shaft (inboard) was bent and had major vibrations. We offered to tow the boat in but they declined. That's the last of it...

In my mind he's at fault for not looking in the water (the ski's were solid white). I'm sure he was pissed I put it there, but there's nothing I could have done different (besides not dropping it).

This is a good topic. We frequently drop a ski. We do it in the cove, as close to shore as is safe/legal. We then drop the skier (assuming they don't fall) at the ski at the end of their run.

Last weekend, a couple on a waverunner saw the ski floating as they were riding. They picked it up and brought it to us. They were nice people, and I looked at it as "wasn't that nice?". But after they left, and thinking over the fact that they made a couple of comments about how tough it was to see it floating, I wondered if they did it out of annoyance, (again, they were very pleasant people) and were doing it so they could make a comment to us rather than as a favor. Not sure.

brk-lnt · 09-03-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

A long time ago I posted this scenario and never got an answer. Since we saw a single ski floating for a long long time out in the middle, it comes to mind. If someone drops a ski and another boat comes along and hits it, who is responsible? The person who dropped the ski because he damaged the other boat, or the boat because he damaged the ski?

Honestly... I think you're both at fault. If you're consciously leaving hazards in an area of water that you don't control (eg: pretty much anywhere on Winnipesaukee) then you're just being irresponsible. Your personal ski acrobatics are not THAT important.

Similarly, if you're not able to see something floating in front you, you're not paying enough attention.

LIforrelaxin · 09-03-2013, 03:27 PM

When droping a ski it is in the skiers, boat owners, ans skis best interest that it be done, in a location that it out of the way of main stream traffic... To of course limit the possibility that another craft accidentally find it in their way...

I have often wonder why Winnipesaukee doesn't have some designated ski area's for this reason... Not that it would keep you from skiing anywhere on the lake... But some designated ski areas would be helpful, as they would be area's where people would expect to see a lone ski floating along.

brk-lnt · 09-03-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

When droping a ski it is in the skiers, boat owners, ans skis best interest that it be done, in a location that it out of the way of main stream traffic... To of course limit the possibility that another craft accidentally find it in their way...

I have often wonder why Winnipesaukee doesn't have some designated ski area's for this reason... Not that it would keep you from skiing anywhere on the lake... But some designated ski areas would be helpful, as they would be area's where people would expect to see a lone ski floating along.

From my understandings, all the "best" ski areas seem to be ringed by homes that would put up a bitchfest if that happened.

upthesaukee · 09-03-2013, 09:43 PM

...which is the last time I have been waterskiing, when I wanted to try my luck with slalom skiing, I would drop the ski by Dad's dock, and my mom or wife would swim out and get the ski. If we were out on the lake, away from the dock, Mom or my wife or some other adult, would don a vest, and go in the water with me. We would start off close to shore, make a loop around and drop a ski near the adult who would the retrieve the ski and wait to be picked up after a little skiing. Water had to be warm, or it was skiing with two skis.

HellRaZoR004 · 09-03-2013, 10:29 PM

Today I would rather leave the ski by itself then to have a person and a ski become a victim.

I think the point I tried to make is no matter where I dropped the ski this guy would have hit it anyways. It wasn't in a main boating area and was very close to shore.

tis · 09-04-2013, 07:27 AM

We never went out to get the ski but we never dropped it out in the middle either. If I knew someone was going to drop, I would make a swing back around and they would drop there. I was just a little kid when I first slalomed and right away learned to get up on one so it wasn't a problem for long but for some people they have a hard time getting up on one so they just always drop. We always used the beach start.

HellRaZoR004 · 09-04-2013, 09:29 AM

Learning behind a 1956 Chris Craft made it a little difficult to get up on a single ski. That boat didn't have the hole shot like others.

cillovely · 09-04-2013, 11:01 AM

Well in my history props come and props go and get bent and you need new ones. I have damaged two now

one this past July in Paugus Bay. My fault didn't see the marker, going to fast and boom, hit shallow. (I will say in my defense my hubby said to go faster, but I should have studied the map a little closer before doign so). At least hubby is mechanically inclined and could fix it. I opened up my wallet and paid the price once again.

My son is not quite tube ready and he'd be the only one who could since it's just us three. Spotters need to be at least 13 years old, right? But I'm in no hurry since it can have it's scary moments.

BroadHopper · 09-04-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cillovely

Well in my history props come and props go and get bent and you need new ones. I have damaged two now

one this past July in Paugus Bay. My fault didn't see the marker, going to fast and boom, hit shallow. (I will say in my defense my hubby said to go faster, but I should have studied the map a little closer before doign so). At least hubby is mechanically inclined and could fix it. I opened up my wallet and paid the price once again.

My son is not quite tube ready and he'd be the only one who could since it's just us three. Spotters need to be at least 13 years old, right? But I'm in no hurry since it can have it's scary moments.

A woman with a wallet? Your husband is a lucky man!

Just Sold · 09-04-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

Learning behind a 1956 Chris Craft made it a little difficult to get up on a single ski. That boat didn't have the hole shot like others.

My first time succesfully getting up on 2 skis was behind a Downings rental boat that John Minihan's dad had rented for him. It was a 15'/16'Lyman with no windshield. After that I learned to slalom behind my Dad's 1959 19' Lyman with the 109 HP Grey Marine engine. I started from shore every time and never did the drop a ski thing. Being very young and light weight getting up on 1 ski was easy.

SIKSUKR · 09-05-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Sold

I started from shore every time and never did the drop a ski thing.

I too never learned slalom by dropping a ski, it was from shore. Hit the gas, and a couple of hops and off. Probably not the easiest way. It may have effected my first few tries dropping my first ski...learning to barefoot. Ouch! That was not a fun experience.

09-03-2013, 01:45 PM	#3
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,587 Thanks: 756 Thanked 356 Times in 268 Posts	I dont think that is any different then there being floating debris in the water. You need to pay attention to where you are going and what is in front of you. Also benefit of the doubt that they might not have seen the ski you dropped, but still leans to the boat driver a.k.a The Captain __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

09-03-2013, 01:56 PM	#4
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	A suggestion on towing tubes. I was always taught when I was skiing that if your ski is still near you then hold it up if another boat is approaching. Can't do that tubing. When pulling a tube and a rider falls off, don't do the usual circling back at speed in a big arc. Immediately come to headway speed and turn directly back to the tuber and speed back up. This should get the attention of another boat. __________________ SIKSUKR

09-03-2013, 03:27 PM	#8
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 1,052 Thanked 901 Times in 531 Posts	When droping a ski it is in the skiers, boat owners, ans skis best interest that it be done, in a location that it out of the way of main stream traffic... To of course limit the possibility that another craft accidentally find it in their way... I have often wonder why Winnipesaukee doesn't have some designated ski area's for this reason... Not that it would keep you from skiing anywhere on the lake... But some designated ski areas would be helpful, as they would be area's where people would expect to see a lone ski floating along. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

09-03-2013, 09:43 PM	#10
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,614 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,483 Thanked 1,987 Times in 1,087 Posts	Back in the 80's... ...which is the last time I have been waterskiing, when I wanted to try my luck with slalom skiing, I would drop the ski by Dad's dock, and my mom or wife would swim out and get the ski. If we were out on the lake, away from the dock, Mom or my wife or some other adult, would don a vest, and go in the water with me. We would start off close to shore, make a loop around and drop a ski near the adult who would the retrieve the ski and wait to be picked up after a little skiing. Water had to be warm, or it was skiing with two skis. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

09-03-2013, 01:08 PM	#1
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,835 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	A long time ago I posted this scenario and never got an answer. Since we saw a single ski floating for a long long time out in the middle, it comes to mind. If someone drops a ski and another boat comes along and hits it, who is responsible? The person who dropped the ski because he damaged the other boat, or the boat because he damaged the ski?

09-03-2013, 10:29 PM	#11
HellRaZoR004 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Litchfield/Gilford Posts: 828 Thanks: 233 Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts	Today I would rather leave the ski by itself then to have a person and a ski become a victim. I think the point I tried to make is no matter where I dropped the ski this guy would have hit it anyways. It wasn't in a main boating area and was very close to shore.

09-04-2013, 07:27 AM	#12
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,835 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	We never went out to get the ski but we never dropped it out in the middle either. If I knew someone was going to drop, I would make a swing back around and they would drop there. I was just a little kid when I first slalomed and right away learned to get up on one so it wasn't a problem for long but for some people they have a hard time getting up on one so they just always drop. We always used the beach start.

09-04-2013, 09:29 AM	#13
HellRaZoR004 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Litchfield/Gilford Posts: 828 Thanks: 233 Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts	Learning behind a 1956 Chris Craft made it a little difficult to get up on a single ski. That boat didn't have the hole shot like others.

09-04-2013, 11:01 AM	#14
cillovely Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 106 Thanks: 17 Thanked 26 Times in 15 Posts	Well in my history props come and props go and get bent and you need new ones. I have damaged two now one this past July in Paugus Bay. My fault didn't see the marker, going to fast and boom, hit shallow. (I will say in my defense my hubby said to go faster, but I should have studied the map a little closer before doign so). At least hubby is mechanically inclined and could fix it. I opened up my wallet and paid the price once again. My son is not quite tube ready and he'd be the only one who could since it's just us three. Spotters need to be at least 13 years old, right? But I'm in no hurry since it can have it's scary moments.