[Paddlewise] Why hate all Jetskiers? (Re: Vote in poll on Jet skis)

From: Scott Ives <ssives_at_erols.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 12:19:54 -0400
Ok guys, get those flame throwers ready! I voted no, because in
addition to being a faithful kayaker, I also am a part owner of a jet
ski!  (Gasp!)  

 All jet skiers aren't obnoxious.  Yes, a ski makes an annoying whiny
noise.  But all skiers aren't irresponsible eighteen year old speed
freaks.  I am 35 and the guy I share the ski with is about 45.  We both
ski responsibly.  If I am overtaking a canoe, kayak or fisherman, I get
to the other side of the river and slow down to a crawl as to not make a
wake or disturb the fish.

  If you want to ban all motors (even those on sailboats), I have no
problem.  However, many motorboats and even obnoxious sailers fail to
yield the right of way to paddle craft.  Additionally, many motorboats
have louder motors than jetskis.  For example, get behind a boat with
dual 200 hp motors, and tell me what you hear, or behind a REALLY lound
jet boat!  Heck, even a "normal" motorboat with a 150 hp motor makes
more noise than a jetski.  A jetski just has a higher, more
mosquito-type noise.

   Again, there are many obnoxious non-jetskiing boaters, and many
responsible jetskiers.  Let's try not to have any knee-jerk
discrimination here.  Every boater should be judged on his own actions. 
If a boater is particularly obnoxious, the response should be to call
the marine police and have him (or her) ticketed.  
 
    As a jet skier I have come to the assistance of paddlers in need of
help.  Jet skiers are often used in rescue operations by beach
lifeguards.  

    Lets try to judge others as we would like to be judged ourselves.


                       - Scott Ives
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Received on Tue Jul 14 1998 - 09:26:41 PDT

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