How close is too close?

[mike_dmt]

Riding my old SP this last week, my nephew and I (he's on another ski) were jumping the wake of a boat attempting to wake-surf.

Of course, safety is always an concern, so we were trying hard to stay well away. By that I mean 200' plus, and hitting the wake horizontally, or across... whatever. Never jumping towards the boat by any means.

So after 20 minutes or so, we're having fun, but the boat driver stops, and proceeds to scream at us for being "too close" to the boat and rider.

State law is 200' from any boat. Granted.

I've been wake surfing for almost 20 years. Any time there are ski's on the water, they (us) like to jump the wake. Which is fine with me, but..... This one time though, I'm wondering if I'm in the wrong.

 

[LouDoo]

I think here the minimum distance by law is 100', which I believe it too close. I would say any time you cause a boat owner to yell at you, you're too close.

Lou

 

[mike_dmt]

Well, I agree to a point. Like I said, I'm not new to the watersport scene.

I didn't want to point out the driver was a mom.... And a bunch of teenage girls with her.


I'm by no means sexist. One of my really good female friends can back a trailer up better than most any guy I've ever seen... That's not an exaggeration coming from family and friends that all own travel trailers or work trailers...


We were far enough away that even after we all stopped, I had to re-start and ride over to see what the "problem" was. I thought the boat had broke.....

 

[mike_dmt]

For the record. I think 100' IS too close.

 

[racerxxx]

If there is ANYONE behind a boat you never go near them--legal distance or not, respect their space and their wake and their time for fun.

I'm gonna have to eject you from the game, LOL

 

[Jetskigoodies]

In Michigan you are not allowed to jump wakes. You need to stay 150 ft away from boats and 200 ft away from shorelines. Pwc and boats have different laws.



Improper Distance for PWCs means that, if operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” PWCs also must:
Stay at least 200 feet from any Great Lakes shoreline.
Not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel other than another PWC.

http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/course/p4-4_recklessoperation.htm


3. Failure To Regulate Speed
Defined as operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger to the life or property of any other person or at speeds that will not permit you to bring your vessel to a safe stop. It is illegal to:
Operate a vessel in excess of 55 mph
Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” when a person is in the bow of a vessel without proper seating.
Operate a vessel faster than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions (weather, vessel traffic, etc.).

http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/course/p4-4_recklessoperation.htm



6. Reckless Operation
of a vessel or reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is defined as operation which disregards the safety or rights of others or endangers the person or property of others. Some examples of reckless operation are:
Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
Jumping the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is restricted
Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
Causing damage from the wake of your vessel



However we do jump wakes all the time. Just have to be smart about it. The sherriffs will usually leave you alove as long as you are at a safe distance.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Was this lady pulling tubers or skiers?
if so then stay away.

 

[racerxxx]

Was this lady pulling tubers or skiers?
if so then stay away.

Attempting to wake surf

 

[mike_dmt]

Alright. Point taken.


So, you guys are saying you NEVER jump a boat's wake? I seem to have seen a thousand youtube videos doing exactly that.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

As I said we still do it, just make sure to stay back a little ways. We also jump the wake off of friends boats. So they are aware of what we are doing. This way you know your not pissing anyone off.

 

[racerxxx]

I never said that, I just said if there was ANYONE behind the boat. Other than that what ever the legalities are for your area, air it out.

The hang up I have with someone behind the boat and you jumping is, if that person falls and you didn't see them fall as your doing your loop for your next attempt you run the risk of hitting them.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Attempting to wake surf

Oops, i didn't see it the first time.

Granted a wake boarder is usually close to the boat. She was probably worried that if the girl fell you wouldn't see her in time.

 

[mike_dmt]

I'm man enough to admit if I'm wrong. Maybe I am(was).

I simply wanted some opinions. I felt that we were far enough away to have a bit of fun without affecting their good time. In no way was anyone in any sort of danger.


Like I said, I've wake surfed for a couple of decades. I pisses me off when someone on a 'Doo comes out and stirs up a calm lake.

So, it seems like it comes down to a comfort level, laws or not. People had spent the entire day pulling tubers, skiers and wakeboarders much closer to the beach and swim area than I ever would. And well inside of the legal distances.


So when I was well outside of the "legal" distance from a boat, I felt comfortable jumping the wake.

 

[Coastiejoe]

From the perspective of been there done that (23 years in the Coast Guard).

If the vessel is towing anything, no matter a skier, tube, boat or a log, you do NOT approach it for any reason short of an emergency.

Rules of gross tonnage law applies. Big ships are restricted in their ability to maneuver. Which means, they have the right of way. If you are a jet ski by another jet ski the rules kind of wash out with the exception of the rule of common sense (reckless operation, cutting them off, ect ect).

A vessel pulling anything is both restricted in its ability to maneuver as well as carries the responsibility of what it is pulling. If you are within 500 feet you are wrong unless you are doing nothing more than transiting the area.

I have seen this go the other way as well... A jet skier was too close and screwing around, turned and ran into the rope and got tangled in the rope. The tuber hit the ski and was hurt slightly, the skier lost all the fingers on his left hand.

Point is, jumping a wake is not illegal in most states, (Ohio it is legal but must be 100 foot or greater behind the vessel making the wake), but the rule of common sense MUST take precedence.

 

[Strizzo]

As I said we still do it, just make sure to stay back a little ways. We also jump the wake off of friends boats. So they are aware of what we are doing. This way you know your not pissing anyone off.

Unless there is more to the law about jumping wakes than you posted, jumping isn't illegal, just jumping unnecessarily close to another vessel.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I replaced a nice Volvo Penta duo prop gimble housing a couple years ago, the driver's son ran his ski into the back of his Chaparral following too close as his father pulled back on the throttle.

 

[donkey]

last trip to parker me and one of my sons were jumpin the wakes of a big slow rollin boat.sherrif watched for 20minutes.then when we were headin for the ramp he pulled us over for "traveling the wrong direction",on the river! said 60' was legal off the bak of any boat,not towing.gave us the run around for traveling 100' up river on the left side,to get to the ramp.
btw,when we r wakeboarding or surfing,and someone gets what I feel is too close,we stop ,pull the rope in(and whoever was attached to it)and just wait till they move on,no muss,no fuss.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

i never ever jump wake of a boat that is pulling wake board, tuber, water skier...

period, end of story... maybe if i'm crossing the other direction,, but same direction.. no...

 

[mike_dmt]

I can absolutely see and respect everyone who has posted opinions and everyone's points of view.

I absolutely agree that if some one is being reckless or too close, that person is being an ass. It has happened countless times to me too, and I would do just as Donkey outlined, pull the rope and rider, wait 10 minutes and go again.

Again, to clarify, the boat was wake surfing. 10-12 mph tops. We were 200' or more away at any given time and cutting the wake laterally. I felt the driver simply overreacted, but I wanted to hear what everyone thought.

 

[bigJake]

i had the opposite happen to me a couple years ago. I looked over my shoulder to see a frickin fish cop had pulled his boat to literally 2 feet from my ski at 30 mph. I was really pissed. Once he got the message that I was pissed he peeled off. Best I could figure out was that I was wearing a blue PFD over top of a blue T shirt, so he was going to frickin run me over because he didn't think I was wearing one.

 

[mike_dmt]

I never said that, I just said if there was ANYONE behind the boat. Other than that what ever the legalities are for your area, air it out.

The hang up I have with someone behind the boat and you jumping is, if that person falls and you didn't see them fall as your doing your loop for your next attempt you run the risk of hitting them.

100% agree.

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... I'm a +40 year old kid... and I have a tendency of doing the same thing. When I'm on a ski... I look for the big boats, that are kind of running slow, and making a huge wake. Heck... I was doing that with my 22' Islandia last Saturday. (that freaks the wife out a little)

90% of the time... the boat guys won't care... but there are a lot of "Boaters" who see PWC as "Water Lice" and that they should be banned all together.


The rule from the USCG is PWC can't follow a boat within 100', and you are not allowed to jump a wake. (states can adjust that law how they want)

But... it's a courtesy thing. If the boater doesn't want you following... then don't do it. (period) Because, a lot of rangers/police/USCGA people always blame the PWC person. So.. if there is a complaint from a boat owner... you will be wrongfully accused regardless. So... go look for another boat to follow.


But... if you were 200' back, and crossing the wake... then it sounds like the boater was just too uptight.

 

[donkey]

"But... if you were 200' back, and crossing the wake... then it sounds like the boater was just too uptight"
:agree:

 

[Spimothy Leary]

"But... if you were 200' back, and crossing the wake... then it sounds like the boater was just too uptight"
:agree:

disagree, if your following a boat that is towing a wake board it doesn't matter 100' 200' whatever.. disrespectful. If I was driving that boat i'd have stopped immediately and waited till you left the area before resuming activities.

 

[Coastiejoe]

disagree, if your following a boat that is towing a wake board it doesn't matter 100' 200' whatever.. disrespectful. If I was driving that boat i'd have stopped immediately and waited till you left the area before resuming activities.

I agree. Seeing all I have seen in the Coast Guard I feel the same way. If I am towing my daughter behind my boat I owe it to her to make good judgement calls.

I stop and let you move along,,