Boaters listen up..and learn

[66KingFisher]

I'm glad this story has a happy ending.......As for the speed freaks.....Well, I'm one of them, only not across the water.....I've been involved in racing of one form or another most of my adult life....I've driven everything from motocross bikes to high performance sportbikes.....9 sec street cars, to World of Outlaw sprintcars and most everything in between, and I loved every adrenaline pumping, hair raising second of it......But, speed across water has always scared the crap outta me.....I can't explain why....I've been 200+ on land but 70mph on the water is spooky as heck when the waters anything but glass smooth.....When you've got a high performance boat trimmed out and screamin along at top speed, your on the "ragged edge" of control whether you want to admit it or not and its just waaaay too easy to hit a wave or someones wake wrong and loose it and it don't take but a nanosecond.

In a racecar you've got roll bars and safety harnesses....helmets and fire suits.....lots of protection....but in a fast boat you got what?....some flipflops,a PFD and a kill switch.....not much protection huh?

I personally think that all boaters should be licensed to drive a boat with over 200hp....that means completing some type of safety boating course or something equivilant.....but I also feel the same way about the new high speed crotch rocket motorcycles being sold to young(or old)clueless riders.

Ya wanna live on the ragged edge all the time....thats great,more power to ya....I'll be the first guy to say you have the right to do so.....BUT....do it correctly....stay away from the crowds and never ever risk the lives of innocent bystanders by showing off and driving stupid near them....Otherwise have fun and keep yer foot in it and be as safe as you can.