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Originally Posted by Evenstar
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) |
You've made two big assumptions here, one that folks only buy the most powerful PWCs offered, and two, that everyone has a late model PWC. I still stand by my statement that most PWCs barely exceed 50 MPH. There are scads of older and less powerful machines out there on the lake.
My point about the 150' law is that most states don't have such a law and that the report you quoted from is not NH specific. If it includes statistics from states that don't have a 150' law, then it's not nearly as relevant an argument here in NH. We already have an excellent 150' law that works perfectly at preventing collisions at speed, when it's obeyed. It can make a HUGE difference on a machine that typically loses all directional control when the opertaor releases the throttle. With a 150 feet to slow down or turn, the odds of a collision are drastically reduced. With 50 feet to slow down or turn, a collision is far more likely. See my point? If not, please study why so many PWCs are involved in collisions. I think you'll find that the inability to steer is the main cause, not speed, per se.
Last time I looked, this was a Winnipesaukee forum, hence the Winnipesaukee reference.