Newbie and a Successful Outing...

[CZSteve]

We had bought a couple 96 GTX's - had trouble with the first a week or so go on it's shake-down cruise; assuming bad rectifier and leaking oil...put this one on the back burning and went to work on the second Doo along with getting our pontoon ready to put back into the slip.

We took the pontoon and second GTX out to the lake on Friday and had just about a perfect day; beautiful weather, not too crowded, and everything ran just fine - The GTX was hitting 52mph @ ~ 7000 rpm's and seemed to run just fine. Only problem was a constantly lit fuel LED and need to repair the wrinkled polarizing film on the info gauge - we filled the tank and only spent a few hours on the lake.

As ya'll are aware I'm new regarding PWC's and still on a learning curve. Most of the time we'll be using one or two PWC's in conjunction with our pontoon that's in a slip on Joe Pool Lake; there will also be times we take just the PWC's over to Lake Arlington as we're only 2.5 miles from there and could see getting home from work and spending an hour cruising around, especially after getting the other one going where we my wife and I can can cruise around with the kids.
We'll trailer the Seadoo's; only the pontoon is kept in the slip.

When using with the pontoon I'm planning on someone driving either one or both Seadoo's and someone else driving the toon - plan on anchoring and using the toon as the floating patio

Logistic tips?
Have not bought an anchor yet; thinking of getting one of the folding types but concerned about it bouncing around in the in the front storage and breaking the tub, then it seems that the sand filled bags would be a pain. I'm thinking an anchor would be used for times we beach the PWC or in emergency breakdown circumstances.

Keep a rope attached to the bow eye for tieing off at the dock and attaching to the toon to let it float aft of the boat?
If so, how long of a rope do most have and how rigged?
50' attached to bow and run under hood into front tub? Allow rope to be used to tie off at dock, back of pontoon while floating, and / or attach to anchor when needed?
Keep anchor loose and attach to rope when needed? How are people rigging? Loop at loose end of rope and some type of quick release for quick attach or just proper anchor knot when needed?

Please share any thoughts or tips / tricks you might have.

Sorry for the long winded post. Thanks, Steve

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I keep a rope attached to my bow-eye with a brass clasp when in water, the rope is just short enough it cannot enter my jet pump. I also have a fender attached to the rope end, which is easily disconnected. I use this fender to float on while lounging in the water and due to the fact it's attached to my bow-eye, it keeps me tethered to the boat.

As far as an anchor for jet skis, someone recently suggested tying a pillow case to a rope then while out on the water finding a rock to put in the pillow case. I thought this sounded like a good idea for the jet skiers, so will make this suggestion when the question arises.

 

[CZSteve]

I keep a rope attached to my bow-eye with a brass clasp when in water, the rope is just short enough it cannot enter my jet pump. I also have a fender attached to the rope end, which is easily disconnected. I use this fender to float on while lounging in the water and due to the fact it's attached to my bow-eye, it keeps me tethered to the boat.

Excellent point about keeping the rope short; I would not have thought that thru until the first time it happened...:facepalm:

I like the bumper idea also but we'll probably be tied to the pontoon when floating around.

 

[Crofoot50]

The sand bag anchor is the way to go

 

[LouDoo]

Thanks for posting, too often we don't get any feedback and it's always good to hear about success. One thing I have done to make it easier to dock is I put a tow hook on the deck of my PWC, then leave the rope attached and keep it in the footwell. I do think I will use your suggestion and shorten the rope and just keep extra in the storage bin.

Lou

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I forgot to mention, I use an old seized Yamaha engine for an anchor.

 

[AdamXP800]

I use the bag anchor. You cant beat these. Easy to carry with you, just fill with sand or rocks and your good to go!

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Yes, sand bag. It's rumored the Yamaha was modeled on the concept of the sand bag.

 

[CZSteve]

I forgot to mention, I use an old seized Yamaha engine for an anchor.

:lol:

In all seriousness is an anchor a must have? It seems wise from a safety standpoint but then if for safety a bag might not make sense assuming it's empty until needed when hanging out at the beach...

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

IMO, an anchor is a safety device if you are on a river or ocean. In a lake perhaps not so much unless the wind is high or a storm is approaching. In the case of inclement weather, an anchor can keep the bow into the wind and the boat from being swamped by rough surf.

Sea anchors that drag in the water, not on the bottom, are especially helpful in rough weather, however, a box anchor is a design which may meet your criteria.

In case I forget to bring my windlass for hoisting my trusty yamaha anchor, I've been known to use the Danforth that resides in my boat's carpeted ski locker.