When a vessel is towing a person on water skis, surfboards, or similar devices, the operator must have another competent person on board to act as an observer or the vessel must be equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror .
What should you do when towing a water skier?
- Keep the skier at a safe distance—at least twice the length of the tow rope—from the shoreline, docks, hazards, and people in the water.
- Avoid congested areas, beaches, docks, and swimming areas. ...
- Maintain a sharp lookout for other vessels and obstructions in the water.
When can you tow water skiers?
PWCs that are towing a person on water skis or similar devices must be designed and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate three persons—the operator, the observer, and the person being towed. A person may not be towed between one hour after sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility .
Which action is legal for PWC?
Jumping a wake with a PWC within 100 feet of another vessel . Operating within 100 feet of a vessel that is towing a person on water skis, inner tube, wakeboard, or similar device, or operating within 100 feet of the tow rope or person being towed.
When can you tow a skier?
During hours of darkness, from sunset to sunrise, goes by time. It is illegal to tow a water-skier between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise . One half hour after sunset to sunrise.
What do you do when towing a water skier or a kneeboard?
Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, tubes, kneeboards, aquaplanes, or any other devices have specific equipment and observer requirements . All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III life jacket.
How fast do you tow a kneeboard?
For riders weighing 100 pounds or more, 20 miles per hour is an appropriate boat speed for kneeboarding. For riders weighing 90 pounds, take the speed down to 18 miles per hour. For riders weighing 80 pounds: 16 miles per hour.
Can you tow on a 2 seater jet ski?
Most states won’t let you pull something on a Jet Ski unless you have a spotter . Some won’t even allow 2-seat jet skis to pull anything at all, with some saying you need mirrors. It’s best to contact your local dealer about the laws on pulling tubes and such with your jet ski.
How do you tow two skiers?
- Make sure that nobody is close to the boat’s propeller before you start your motor and engine.
- Start to pull away slowly until the ski rope goes tight. ...
- When the skier is able to stand upright, you can adjust your speed depending on what signals the person being pulled gives you.
How much horsepower do you need for water skiing?
Generally speaking, if you want someone wakeboarding or water skiing behind you then your boat needs to be moving at a minimum of 20 miles per hour. Even better is running at 26 or 27 miles per hour for good water skiing. A 70 horsepower engine is usually going to get you enough speed to get up on water skis.
What is illegal on a PWC?
PWC should not be operated in a manner that requires the operator to swerve at the last possible moment to avoid a collision. Furthermore, a PWC operator should not jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close to that vessel. It is illegal to chase, harass, or disturb wildlife with your PWC .
Can you ride a PWC at night?
Even though a PWC or “jet ski” is classified as a Class A boat (16 ft or under) for navigation lighting purposes, most states do not allow PWC operations at night and so manufacturers do not normally install navigation lights.
What is needed for steering control on a PWC?
PWC operators need to keep in mind that a jet drive requires moving water through the drive nozzle for maneuverability. In other words you must have power applied in order to maintain steering control. If you release the throttle to idle or if the engine shuts off during operation you will lose all steering control.
How many skiers can you tow?
You must also not tow more than three people at any one time.
When a vessel is towing a skier What are the legal requirements for observing that skier?
Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, or other device must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer at least 12 years old and in a position to observe the progress of the person(s) being towed .
Do you need 3 people to water ski?
If towing a skier with a PWC, the PWC should be rated for at least three people— the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier . The operator of a vessel involved in towing a skier must display a red or orange ski flag whenever: A downed skier is in the water.
