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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

685.0. ""Personal Waterski Boats" ???" by SLALOM::PEARSON () Mon Jun 04 1990 14:06

    Hi y'all,
    
    Does anybody have info on those "personal waterski boats" (for lack of a
    better term...). I don't know what they are called, but have seen them
    on TV shows and in commercials. They look like mini Jet-Skis with a
    cable and handle assembly attached to the "stern". The controls for the
    "boat" are in the handle, and are operated by the skier. A lanyard
    connects to the skier so that when the skier crashes it kills the
    motor.
    
    I was interested in finding out how much $$$, and if anybody knew where 
    one could take a "test run" and/or purchase one.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jon Pearson
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
685.1SDEVAX::THACKERAYMon Jun 04 1990 14:1416
    Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me!
    
    For example, it's fairly common for the "safety kill" lanyards to fail
    or even more insidiously, to be disabled.
    
    The skier is already busy enough, without looking ahead for the
    propulsion system. And there are times when his attention is elsewhere.
    
    And let's face it, a lot of skiers are not going to understand that by
    whizzing around between boats, under bridges, around swimmers, etc.,
    they are a nuisance. How can they be, they are having a good time,
    right?
    
    Sorry to be a wet blanket!
    
    Ray
685.2SLALOM::PEARSONMon Jun 04 1990 15:0327
re: <Note 685.1>
    <SDEVAX::THACKERAY>                                  

	Ray,
 
>>    Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me!
    
>>    For example, it's fairly common for the "safety kill" lanyards to fail
>>    or even more insidiously, to be disabled.
    
>>    The skier is already busy enough, without looking ahead for the
>>    propulsion system. And there are times when his attention is elsewhere.
    
>>    And let's face it, a lot of skiers are not going to understand that by
>>    whizzing around between boats, under bridges, around swimmers, etc.,
>>    they are a nuisance. How can they be, they are having a good time,
>>    right?
    
>>    Sorry to be a wet blanket!
    	
	Please don't get me wrong here (NO flames intended! :-) ), but I really
	didn't want to open up a "bag of worms" :-) here. I realize
	this may be a controversial topic - as Jet-Skis are, but I was just
	seeking some pointers regarding this product - which, BTW is Coast
	Guard approved (or so I am told).

Jon
685.3TOTH::WHYNOTMon Jun 04 1990 15:5617
    Jon,
      I believe what your referring to is, (I forget the trade-name) a
    water-jet "drone" that is used to pull skiier, kneeboards, etc.
    It's powered by a 40 hp engine, weighs a couple of hundred pounds and
    will fit in the trunk of a car.  It's claim to fame is that you don't
    need a driver because the skier is the driver, by means of a semi-rigid
    tow rope. (includes throttle/steering and kill functions)  The hull
    design (according to the manufacturer) will cause the thing to stop
    abruptly in the event of a fall by the operator.
    The drawbacks are; for any serious skiing, top speed is only about 32
    mph; Jet drives are not known for their out of the hole performance,
    and the cost is around 5 $grand!  (also, I saw the product announced
    about 5 years ago and it's finally coming to market now (?!)
    Looks to me like another overpriced novelty item.
    Take the five-thou and put a down payment on a real boat...:^)
    Any one remember the name of this thing?
    Doug
685.4SOLO ??CRONIC::BOYDMon Jun 04 1990 16:243
    
    I think the name is "SOLO" and they are about the size of a small
    jetski....
685.5Is anything "Free"?ARCHER::SUTERSunny and 80!Mon Jun 04 1990 17:1810
    
    
    	The one I saw at Sea World was called a "Ski Free", this was 
    several years ago and the sales guy said the main problem was 
    with licensing since the authorities couldn't decide how to
    classify it. Afterall, where does the spotter sit?
    
    	I second Doug's thoughts, buy a real boat instead.......
    
    Rick
685.62-person hydroplane ?AKOFIN::ANDERSSONTue Jun 05 1990 09:049
    	I don't know if it's the same thing, but in the current WANT
    ADvertiser there's a picture and ad:
    
    	"NEW 2-SEATER HYDROPLANE. Suitable for water skiig. Uses
    OB motor. $1200/bo."
    
    	It has handle-bars for steering but it looks like you would
    have to have a driver.
685.7May be illegalAWRY::CREASERAuxillary CoxswainTue Jun 12 1990 15:3519
Best check your state's boating/waterski laws before you operate one of these
watercraft!

I can't quote for certain, but as I understand it, to be legal you must have a
the "driver", "observer" (can not be the driver) to legally pull a skier.

Some folks are even raising questions concerning whether this configuation
constitutes a "tow" under the NAVRULES!

Under very well controlled situations, in very safe locations these things 
could be a "blast"! I wish I had a large private pond.

In the usual settings for water recreation they are potentially a disaster
waiting to happen (clearly a very personal opinion).

Check out the laws and be prepared for changes because the states are still
trying to respond to this latest watercraft.

Jerry