WARNING!!

This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 1 month ago by oldtimer57.

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May 14, 2018 at 12:34 am #445128

bwp777
Participant

I never thought it would happen but this last Saturday, I and the driver of my 21i got tossed overboard. I had agreed to free lessons on using and understanding my Lowrance graphs a bit better. I offered the wheel to a very experienced fisherman and we idled for a while from place to place. We made a couple of runs to different spots with no issue. He wanted to show me one last place and as we came out of one bay, heading to the next, he began to turn a bit sharp and the boat caught a wave or just a bad angle and we were in the water with a bit of violence. We both had our life vests on but he failed to hook up the kill switch. It was simply by the grace of the Lord that the motor was still turned slightly and began to circle us. We were able to swim to it and get back on board. Wet, scared and feeling a bit stupid, we went on to the last spot and then left for the day. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS wear your life vests and kill switch. Ask or better yet, tell your partner to do the same

May 14, 2018 at 12:54 am #445129

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I bowhooked my Puma FTD last year, we got thrown out, kill switch and 100mph Mustang pfd worked as advertised. Bad things happen in an instant, but its usually a couple mistakes that set it up. These big graphs are causing a lot of distracted boat driving, we all need to pay attention and use our safety gear.

May 14, 2018 at 1:10 am #445130

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

How many times has the moderator staff warned of wearing safety switches and life vests on this board. There are never enough reminders. Glad everyone is bruised more on their ego than anywhere else.

May 14, 2018 at 3:37 am #445131

KendallJake
Participant

Thanks for the reminder. Just FYI……….my Sabre idles in gear at 3.0 to 3.3 MPH. Even if it circles that would be hard to catch, even for an accomplished swimmer.This story got my attention. I have been wearing the kill switch periodically but will make that every time now. Lets be as safe and control the things we can. Rant over now.

May 14, 2018 at 4:07 am #445132

BMac4848
Participant

My wife wont let put my Puma in gear, even if just moving down just a little bit, until my vest and kill switch are on… Gotta love her!!!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 14, 2018 at 6:40 am #445133

1stinLA
Participant

I got thrown from my old 85 Phelix in 1988 at about 45 mph when I struck a log floating just below the surface. Luck was on my side as I was wearing my vest and kill switch that day. I have not run a boat without either since.

May 14, 2018 at 1:38 pm #445134

BIGCATTER
Participant

Nobody mentioned that you dont have to be running hard to have these kinds of issues . — Physics is physics whether youre doing 40 or 70 miles per hour , and all it takes is the right set of factors to cause a problem . — That being said , water is a very forgiving medium , unless youre landing on it at about 50 miles per hour . — Feels more like concrete at that point !!! — Been there / done that , and yes – it DID hurt !!

May 14, 2018 at 5:03 pm #445135

stewysb119
Participant

Im actually scared to buy the auto inflator PFDs because of the likelihood of being knocked out from getting tossed out of the boat. Am I just being paranoid?I had my first ball crushing jump in my Eyra yesterday on Lake Berryessa in Norcal. A wakeboard boat set to its surfing wake mode was doing laps in the narrows, and I didnt see the 4 foot rollers all over the place. My boat jumped pretty high for only doing 40 or so. Its so light. I came down hard and darn near hit my face on the steering wheel. I always have my kill switch on my vest, and will always wear that vest. Ive heard way too many stories of random rollers taking guys out. It just isnt worth it.

May 15, 2018 at 12:02 am #445136

schodackbassman
Participant

Yep, if you cant think of your own safety, think about how your loss would affect your better half, kids, parents, and grandkids. Had a close call once (nothing to do with boating) and the looks on your loved ones faces when they are worried about you is a sobering experience.

May 15, 2018 at 1:24 am #445137

oldtimer57
Participant

My only comment is a bit crude. But anyone that cranks the big motor WITHOUT the kill switch connected to themselves, is an absolute idiot. You do NOT want a big boat running around and around while you and / or friends try to dodge the thing. Chances are good it will win. I dont like seeing people run up and down the river without life jackets. But that is their choice. But without the kill lanyard connected? Just defies any common logic at all.This stuff if fun, but it can quickly turn tragic. And nobody EVER intends for that to happen, it just does. Unless you take every precaution to prevent it. At least if something bad happens and you did every thing humanly possible to prevent problems, you have done all you can do.Dont forget that lanyard. It is a life-time habit for me, no exceptions… Crank – on. Every time. Even if I am just going to “idle over there” because it is easy to change your mind at the last second, and forget. So never forget.
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