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Boating basics: Utahns need to go extra mile for safety

This article covered everything but operating a boat and infering the licensing of the boat handler. In Utah we don't have open seas or large lakes that would require a piloting a boat license. As in all sports there are inherent risks and with water drowing is the major risk, whether on a boat or not. People treat their boats like they treat their cars and never read the owners manuals. Maybe the state should require that an owners manual written test be given before licensing the boats. This wouldn't be a bad idea for vehicle registrations too. Why the required insurance seems redicoulous because property damage is mainly done to boats by owners, which insurance doesn't cover. Boat collisions are very few and limited in scope. The insurance industry sees an untapped market of profit and it is their goal to persuade legislators to increase their profits with such trivial and unrelated incidents. Utah waters are not conducive to racing boats or high speed boating or large yachts so the issues in this report are insurance company profiting. Insurance on boats seems only to feed insurance companies money and do nothing about boating safety.

Would that be a nautical mile, or a land mile?

The real hazards are the jet-skis. They never drive in a straight line, but dart randomly and irresponsibly back and forth, often only a very few feet behind a boat, in order to get a thrill from crossing the wake. I have had to totally cut my power on many occasions while pulling a water-skier to avoid a collision with a jet skier driving dangerously and in violation of the law and with no common sense.

I have concluded that in order to buy a jet-ski, one must first take an I.Q. test. If one scores above 60, he is not allowed to take the second required test. But if on the first he shows that he is an idiot, he is then allowed to take a test to prove that he is a sociopath with a serious personality disorder.

I completely agree w/ Life-long boater. That goes not only for jet-skiers, but also for boaters pulling tubes. I love tubing just as much as the next guy, but there is a time and a place and that time and place are in the afternoon w/ choppy water- not all over glassy water. While I'm on my soap box, people should be required to read a book on boating etiquette and how to pull a skiier/boarder/whatever. Don't go up one side of the lake and down another, take a sharp u-turn and backtrack- it will give you a nice smooth run and not interfere as much w/ other boaters. The list goes on...

We have to go fishing early before the jet skis and the other boaters get on the lake. When they show up, you have to leave or it just gets too dangerous. I am surprised more people do not die on the lake with the nimrods that are driving like idiots on the lakes.

Along with what XTi said, another big piece of etiquette I consistently see ignored is power turns. I'm sure if people were just educated that it's not only nicer to other boaters, but will improve their own water, we would see less of it.

I spent almost two hours early in the morning on July 3rd sharing a thin finger on Pineview with another boat who shared our same interests. We both took turns, worked our own side, and kept wakes to a minimum and we were able to have a blast. Thank you to whoever that was. :)

The licensing hasn't got anything to do with big water bodies (like Lake Powell isn't big) or commercial craft (they already have licensing requirements). It is about having the minimum knowledge necessary to safely (and courteously) operate a boat on public waters. Here in Oregon they have such a requirement and my impression is that everyone thinks it is a good idea. All discussion is about upping the training required.

People really need to be educated on the proximity law, and it needs to be enforced vigorously!!

And people need to be reminded that their 6-year-old kids (and even some of their 16-year-olds) shouldn't be riding waverunners alone. I've had more than one near-miss with a juvenile operator.

Just like Alta and Deer Valley ban snowboards, I would love to see a few lakes ban waverunners...

I totally agree.
People this year seem nuts!!! I've been boating my whole life and I can't believe the craziness this year! And what's with everyone all of a sudden thinking Utah lake is great? We use to have the west side all to ourselves, now there must be a lot of first time boaters out there, because a big share of them are totally clueless. People are even towing their tubers inside the harbors! It's every man for himself!!!

Does anyone know what safety equipment is required in a ski/wakeboard boat besides lifejackets? ie. fire extinguisher, paddle,????

Just wondering where I could find that out.

Myself, I have not encountered too many crazy boaters but the waverunners/jetskis are very unpredictable in their driving patterns. It is probably because those things are so boring if you just drive them in a straight line. Creates a problem though.

I totally agree with what has been said thus far, people operating wave runners should not be kids (and stop crossing my wakes). And people need to learn how to drive their boats in courteous ways (NO Powerturns, stay in your line). I think the majority of these party barges just have no clue what they are doing to themselves and everyone else. It is hilarious watching someone fall while trying to get up after crossing their own power turn! I believe dealers should help in educating new boat buyers on how to operate their boats. Honestly I feel bad for the fisherman, cause now I have to get up at 6:00am to take my wakeboard set before all the goofnuts get on the lake. You must have PFD's for each person on your boat, paddles, fire extinguisher, and a throw able pfd. Also a wakeboarding comp vest does not count as a pfd, don't wear these out there, wakeboarding is dangerous, you can die, get a real pfd and be safe on the water. All these kids that think they are pro wakeboarders because they can do a back flip is ridiculous.