Jetski's - Positive thread

Fire99

Fire99

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Now I as much as the next saily-person (ok maybe not quite that much :D ) have grumbled about Jetski's.

Well today, humble pie. We were racing the Squib and ran aground on the Blackwater. Who came and pushed us out of the mud?? Two JetSki riders...

Credit where credit's due.. Good lads! :)
 
WEt Bikes as Safety Craft

Fire99 said:
Now I as much as the next saily-person (ok maybe not quite that much :D ) have grumbled about Jetski's.

Well today, humble pie. We were racing the Squib and ran aground on the Blackwater. Who came and pushed us out of the mud?? Two JetSki riders...

Credit where credit's due.. Good lads! :)
Click to expand...

In Portugal, which has a very active cadet sailing program, they use wet bikes as safety vessels. These bikes have a raft which they can deploy to increase their people carrying capacity.

With minimal draft, very manoeuvrable & no propeller they are ideal.

Any knowledge of them being used within the UK, possibly the Solent?

If I knew how to do it I would attach a photograph of a Portuguese Rescue Bike - help!
 
nortada said:
In Portugal, which has a very active cadet sailing program, they use wet bikes as safety vessels. These bikes have a raft which they can deploy to increase their people carrying capacity.

With minimal draft, very manoeuvrable & no propeller they are ideal.

Any knowledge of them being used within the UK, possibly the Solent?

If I knew how to do it I would attach a photograph of a Portuguese Rescue Bike - help!
Click to expand...

Interesting stuff.

Yesterday there wasn't a raft as such but more a semi-floating pontoon with steps where the jet bikes (skis) could moor to, so they could have a base away from the beach.

They can be a bit annoying when they just buzz around in circles, around the moored boats, but credit where credit is due, yesterday they got us out of the poo so they're not all bad :)

Maybe there should be some events organised for Jetski's.
 
Fire99 said:
Interesting stuff.

Yesterday there wasn't a raft as such but more a semi-floating pontoon with steps where the jet bikes (skis) could moor to, so they could have a base away from the beach.

They can be a bit annoying when they just buzz around in circles, around the moored boats, but credit where credit is due, yesterday they got us out of the poo so they're not all bad :)

Maybe there should be some events organised for Jetski's.
Click to expand...
The floating pontoons are called docking points.

If you want the piccie you will have to advise me how to post it?
 
Scouts_08_jet_skis_two_copy.jpg


Seascouts in Whitstable used two for all sorts of water based events - until they were stolen. Never recovered. They use a variety of sail boats and meet on Fridays. The hard-working leaders who give up around two nights a week in Summer are a bit pressed this year as many work shifts. Should anyone in the neighbourhood be prepared to commit to helping out on the water do consider being a helper/volunteer. CRB is required but it's quick, painless and free. No pay but plenty of satisfaction. pm me if you're interested (or you know where the stolen jet-skis are!)
 
Seakindly said:
Scouts_08_jet_skis_two_copy.jpg


Seascouts in Whitstable used two for all sorts of water based events - until they were stolen. Never recovered. They use a variety of sail boats and meet on Fridays. The hard-working leaders who give up around two nights a week in Summer are a bit pressed this year as many work shifts. Should anyone in the neighbourhood be prepared to commit to helping out on the water do consider being a helper/volunteer. CRB is required but it's quick, painless and free. No pay but plenty of satisfaction. pm me if you're interested (or you know where the stolen jet-skis are!)
Click to expand...

It's a shame I'm not closer to Whitstable.. Any excuse to get on the water and organise some events.. Best of luck with the venture..
 
Thanks Fire99
" Any excuse to get on the water and organise some events.. Best of luck with the venture.. "

Just to clarify the seascouts have been out on the water every Friday for decades (not the same ones, obviously). Volunteers don't need to bring or organise anything -just a certain handiness with boats and patience. Rescue boats needs someone with a power qual. but dinghy sailors and those willing to help with shoreside activities just need to like helping young people have fun on the water. There will be leaders - an extra pair of hands is always welcome tho.
 
Like mobos jetskis are as welcome to use the river as us sailing types. However, some are a pain. We have mobos that slow down when they pass and reduce their wash and mobos that don't.

Jetskis are all noisy but as long as they stay where they are supposed to and don't break speed limits that's fine. It's the Romford Navy buzzing up and down the moorings that need to be stopped.
 
Burnham Bob said:
It's the Romford Navy buzzing up and down the moorings that need to be stopped.
Click to expand...

That I agree with. Was chatting about this the other day. Jetski's IMO are one of the most accessible forms of water craft. Relatively small, easy to get going and obviously very fast!!

With that I don't doubt they tend to appeal to a certain demographic and I don't doubt that a good few of those either don't know what the rules are, or don't care.

That said, maybe there should be some organised Jetski events. Half of the Jetski users I see, seem a bit bored. Just buzzing around in circles.
A few years ago, a couple of mates bought one (after owning ski boats before) and to be honest, the novelty wore off pretty quickly. You can't carry much stuff on them and at best they carry 3 people (more often 1 or two). I guess that's why they call 'em PWC's.

I'd be interested if there are some handy hidden uses for the things.
 
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