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In The Hot Seat A Place to Discuss Hot Issues Affecting Our Sport By Jeff Browning What is it about PWCs, anyway? Some people love them. Some people hate them. Some people just plain want to ban them. Let's be honest: there have been a number of times that I have simply wanted to blow them right out of the water, as was done in the October issue! (See the Archives section). Humor aside, banning anything is somewhat aggressive, potentially risky, and really not well conceived. With all honesty, I must admit that I have seen the fear in a kayaker's eyes as the leeward hull of a Hobie hurtles (not turtles!) towards them under my guidance! Despite this, I do not feel I have ever caused as much havoc in years of sailing as a PWC can whip up in a scant few seconds. Therefore, I feel it imperative to look at why we, as sailors, have developed this view towards PWCs. Are we just making these frustrations up? Well, upcoming editions of this column will be dedicated to answering this question and others. By consolidating On The Wire reader perspectives regarding PWCs, we can propose solutions to the problems we face while sharing the water we all love and enjoy. We'll also investigate other controversial issues that affect our waters and sailors alike. For instance, next months column will address some concerns that tend to aggravate us more than an unexpected trip around the headstay (or possibly those that trailer with their rudders off!): Why do PWCs seem to have little regard for safety: Serious injury and fatality accidents are a significant problem for PWCs. It's one thing to risk self injury; it's entirely different when you risk the safety of others. This apparent lack of respect for safety endangers themselves, other boaters, and potentially the vitality of their sport. For instance, just look at the many lobbying activities going on across the country to protect PWCs from restrictive legislation as a result of safety concerns. I'll take a look at how this compares with other sports where safety is an issue. Why do some PWC riders display such terrible etiquette: Sometime I wonder if the PWC riders I see are actually Happy Gilmour in disguise! We've all experienced nasty etiquette from PWC riders. I can't recall any sailors displaying the same ignorant actions or blatant disregard towards others on the water (well, except for some skippers towards their crew!) I also want your opinion - why are PWCs such a nuisance? What is your worst experience with a PWC? What specifically frustrates you about PWCs? What should we do with them? Are sailors being fair about this? How can we improve the situation? What has been done to remedy the problem in your area? With your help, I would like to establish core concerns about PWCs and build a practical, coherent plan that proposes solutions to these issues so that we can all enjoy the water together. I look forward to hearing from you! Cheers, Jeff Browning 74003.142@compuserve.com Back to Features |