[Evenstar]

Originally Posted by Dave R

This is interesting but really has very little to do with the speed limit debate. Most PWCs barely exceed 50 MPH and therefore won't really be affected by the speed limit when one considers the +5 to +15 MPH law enforcement folks typically allow on top of speed limits. Also, wakes from boats on busy days tend to keep PWC speed down below 45MPH most of the time.

Originally Posted by Dave R

I'd also like to see the PWC accident statistics for NH lakes since with the 150' rule, PWC collisions should be substantially less of a problem here. If they ARE a problem, then it's quite obvious that the 150' rule is being flagrantly violated so one could easily and correctly assume that speed limits will be just as flagrantly violated by the same folks.

In my experience on Winnipesaukee, PWCs are actually not much of a safety problem at all. The PWCs I see seem to be operated with more caution than most other craft, though there's usually an idiot or two in the mix like in any activity.

One of the main concerns of the study (the last line in my previous post), was that PWC are getting more powerful (and faster). I did a quick search and here are what some 2005 and 2006 production models are capable of:

2005 Yamaha VX110 – 110 hp - “ averaged a respectable top speed of 51.85 mph”: http://www.watercraftworld.com/output.cfm?id=975331

2005 Sea-Doo GTX SC – 185 hp – “The fastest I have had her going (according to both the digital and analog speedo's) with just myself on it is 67 mph, and have had it going 64 mph with three of us on it.”

2006 Sea-Doo's RXP – 215 hp - does 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/boating/1277266.html
“I was amazed at how fast this thing is. I am a big guy, 450lbs and the all-new digital speedo said 81 MPH. I mean that was nuts. I let a buddy who is 200 lbs lighter ride and he had it up to 90 MPH.” http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/review_detail.asp?rv=35844&veh=24204

2005 Yamaha WaveRunner® FX Cruiser: “I had this up to 61 mph with me, 280 pounds, on it without any modifications.” http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/motorcyclereviewdetail/rv=31028/veh=13829/review31028.htm

2006 Yamaha GP® 1300R – 170 hp - this is one very fast jetski NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED approx 85+ mph (real scary speed) http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F85118/

2006 Honda AquaTrax F-12X – “Dumping 165 hp into a watercraft that weighs just over 700 pounds is like giving Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos the whip. I have to strain to keep from being tossed off, and within seconds the speedometer is reading 68 mph.” http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/boating/1277116.html

You guys really amaze me. Many of you claim that there’s no relationship between speed and accidents. Then when someone posts a report that shows a definite connection, you try to just dismiss it.

By claiming that the posted report has “very little to do with the speed limit debate.”

Or that the poster misquoted the information (Even though I post my links).

Or that the 150 foot rule was violated, so the speed doesn’t even matter. (Guess what? In any collision, when either vessel was traveling faster than headway speed, the 150 foot rule has been violated.)

Or that the information in the report doesn't apply to Winnipesauskee. (HB-162 is for a speed limit on all NH lakes and rivers, not just Winni)