Sunday Sail

[Scott Dunsworth]

My wife and I took our Belhaven out for the day last Sunday. It was a mid 80's day with north winds pretty steady at 10 to 12 with an occasonal gust of 15 to 17. We were on a beam reach doing 5 to 6 just injoying the day. I finally got a little bored and dug out the staysail. I had not flew it since returning from Pamlco Sound and getting it rigged right. She flew great. I played with it using some sail trimming tips Graham gave me when I was out there. Our speed bounced around between 7 and 8.5 with the staysail up.

I have also started to understand all of that complaining Graham does about weight. The boat was empty of all of that cruising gear, only one fuel tank and battery.

It was one of those perfect days you don't want to end. Until we where heading in to the dock. We were coming in nicely and going to land on the starboard side. My wife had a dock line cleated off mid ship and we where gliding in when a brainless sole in a jet ski though it would be intertaining to cut us off to pick up his mate. I should have never changed course I should have turned my head like I didn't know what he did and rammed him instead of the dock. He just looked at us like can't you control that thing.

We got her loaded up and I check out the bow and could not find a mark on her so I guess she didn't hit as hard as it felt.

Other than the dock landing it was a wonderful day on the water.

Scott

[Peter HK]

Scott

You might enjoy

http://www.west.net/~lpm/hobie/archives/v1-i2/humor.shtml

I also like Michael Leunig's (Australian cartoonist) "Ode to a jet ski person"

[John Burritt]

I think there may be an open hunting season on jet skis around here.  If not, should be.

[Randy C.]

I think Jetskiers switch to snowboards in the winter!!

[rattus]

I think Jetskiers switch to snowboards in the winter!!

...and snowmobiles. We're infested with both of them around here. (Vail, CO)

Mike

[Steve Day]

Do any of you remember the clip that was passing around a few years ago of the sidewinder missile mounted on a Hobie Cat for taking out Jet Skis? Hilarious!!! ;D  Too bad it wasn't real :'(

Steve

[Peter HK]

Do any of you remember the clip that was passing around a few years ago of the sidewinder missile mounted on a Hobie Cat for taking out Jet Skis?

Steve

The link in my previous post in this thread was to exactly that. It's still hilarious

Peter HK

[Steve Day]

I agree. Thanks for sharing that.

Steve

[Greg Luckett]

Having actually met and visited with a few jet skiers, each that I met was already in the AH catagory in my mind, prior to learning they liked jet skies.  I often wonder how statistically valid that is? :

[Steve Day]

Greg,

As in any other group of people, there are a few that give everyone in the group a bad reputation. Most of the folks on jet skiis that I have met are just like you and me, and they operate their machines in a relatively sane manner.  ;D

I was out on the big sailboat a couple of years ago and came across this jet skier "dead in the water" in the middle of Big Lagoon near Pensacola Inlet. We took him under tow and were making way toward a marina where he wanted to be dropped off when his buddy came by in their power boat looking for him. The guy was obviously "in his cups" and went right by us without seeing his buddy under tow behind us (makes me wonder if he saw our 40 footer under full sail ). He finally saw us when he came back the other way and we handed the jet ski off to him.

I guess my point is that bad behavior happens in any group of folks, it does not necessarily mean that all jet skiers are bad folks.

BTW, I have a real problem with those that operate boats while drinking alcohol.

Steve

[Greg Luckett]

Gee, Steve, what makes you think I operate machines in a "relatively sane manner"? ;D

I agree completely with you about drinking and boating.  I do have a problem too, with being able to buy or rent a power boat and know nothing of seamanship or the rules of the road, etc.  The worst offenders are the drunken power boaters out for the weekend because it is so easy to motor a boat.  Sailors must learn a bit prior to sailing...sort of forced to do so by the technical requirements of a sail boat.  Power boaters that are sober are usually doing well, but booze or drugs seems to be the thing to do for many of them.