Running a capsule without straps? What is going on?

[HRTV]

I saw this thread over on Ron Hill's site Boat Racing Facts, this is a very powerful thread that I feel should be posted on the front page of every Hot Boat web site etc. my personal thoughts on the topic are very clear, I would take an ax and smash any old racing boat before I sold it to a kid who had plans to run the hull just for fun on his local lake. Bottom line I could not live with the pain of knowing I possibly played a role in someone’s death knowing they were completely ignorant about how to operate the hull safely.

Here is the link:

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...ead.php?t=4863

[pops67g]

Believe it or not, safety is a tough sell

In about 1955 or so, the Ford Motor Company started selling vehicles with padded dash and visors, seat belts etc. Sales dropped like a rock because people didn't like being reminded that cars could be dangerous. A few weeks ago the 35W bridge fell down here in the Twin Cities area. Now there is a big push on to inspect every bridge in the state. What's the point? I wish I knew why safety is such a difficult topic to get people to talk about and act on when it's for their own good. As soon as the questions get tough and it looks like we have to spend some money or wear some "uncomfortable" equipment many are against it. It just makes more sense to try to look ahead and think of what could possibly happen than to wait for tragedy to strike and use the old band-aid approach.

[ryan_4z]

I think it is just as important to ask "Why are these boats being sold to people who have no idea what they are doing?" These boats aren't designed to be played with at your local lake. They are made for on the edge racing, buy people who know what to expect, and what they are doing, at sanctioned races where we have rescue crews and insurance coverage. It is totally irresponsible to sell these boats to some kid who is going to play around on his lake. If they are interested, get them involved in racing, don't pawn off your used equipment on sombody who is likely to get themself, or someone else, seriously hurt or killed due to lack of knowlegde. I mean christ people, you're not talking about some guy running around in a B runabout. Think about the precautions that have to be taken in these classes to ensure that skilled drivers aren't killed(capsules, capsule training, restraint systems, air systems, rescue crews with divers, etc.), and people are selling their equipment to guys who have no idea about any of this. That is a reprehensible action. These are not toys, they are race boats, they should be used as such.

[HRTV]

I think it is just as important to ask "Why are these boats being sold to people who have no idea what they are doing?" These boats aren't designed to be played with at your local lake. They are made for on the edge racing, buy people who know what to expect, and what they are doing, at sanctioned races where we have rescue crews and insurance coverage. It is totally irresponsible to sell these boats to some kid who is going to play around on his lake. If they are interested, get them involved in racing, don't pawn off your used equipment on sombody who is likely to get themself, or someone else, seriously hurt or killed due to lack of knowlegde. I mean christ people, you're not talking about some guy running around in a B runabout. Think about the precautions that have to be taken in these classes to ensure that skilled drivers aren't killed(capsules, capsule training, restraint systems, air systems, rescue crews with divers, etc.), and people are selling their equipment to guys who have no idea about any of this. That is a reprehensible action. These are not toys, they are race boats, they should be used as such.

Ryan I agree with you 100% but don’t limit this to just OPC or the bigger boats, a stock ASH rig in the wrong hands can also be deadly so this should apply to all racing hulls which in my opinion should never be sold to anyone not trained in the proper use.

[HRTV]

The blow over photo just makes me angry !

[ryan_4z]

You are right Dan. I wouldn't sell any of my boats to an untrained user. I do however think that a smaller open cockpit outboard is much safer to be used as a lake riding boat. Particularly runabouts, at they can quite easily make both left and right hand turns. Personally, I would try my hardest to get the person involved in racing, god knows we need the members. If someone really wanted a rig to run on their lake, I would find a way to set them up in a rig that was safe for an inexperienced driver(underpowered, lower propshaft, etc.) I could never see setting some guy up with a full racing rig to play around with.

[csh2z]

[QUOTE=ryan_4z;87018]You are right Dan. I wouldn't sell any of my boats to an untrained user.

Ryan, By the time you are done with a boat, there's nothing left to sell!

[David Weaver]

Safe Set-Up

. If someone really wanted a rig to run on their lake, I would find a way to set them up in a rig that was safe for an inexperienced driver(underpowered, lower propshaft, etc.) .

I thought that was your standard set-up??

[Hydroglobe17J]

I'm glad Ryan sold me this boat before it was destroyed by him and his friends! Seriously we need to know before we sell,your correct Dan.

[WebinfoAPBA]

Think about the precautions that have to be taken in these classes to ensure that skilled drivers aren't killed(capsules, capsule training, restraint systems, air systems, rescue crews with divers, etc.), and people are selling their equipment to guys who have no idea about any of this. That is a reprehensible action. These are not toys, they are race boats, they should be used as such.

I totally agree - and it just tears me up to read about someone not using straps when testing - horrifiying. But I still can't understand why they are being allowed to run in a sanctioned *racing* event like that.

But in the sellers defense in the story above (re: sale to the kid in who was killed), the buyer was given all the instructions by the seller - not lightly, but implored to be obeyed - and the buyer made a promise he'd use the equipment properly with adequate rescue near at all times. He said he planned to race in a year or two, after he got used to the boat. Being so far apart, the seller couldn't be with the buyer during his test runs to ensure all was ok. (Seller was on the West Coast - Buyer was in Georgia)

The seller did all he could. He was a really good guy who knew the dangerous possibilities. There weren't any capsule trainings back in 1990, but he for sure explained about the harness and how important it was to be used at all times - EVEN during testing.

But all that didn't matter - because the buyer didn't follow any of the instructions anyway.

There are quite a few capsuled ex-OPC boats being used in local, non-publicized drag clubs. And it's becoming more and more common, especially when older capsuled race boats end up retired and show up at these events.

There are oodles of these races going on quietly all over the country, by small, loose knit clubs not involved with any experienced associations. (Though, as you can see in that thread, some actually are sanctioned by clubs that you think would know better...)

So word of mouth using the various internet boards is the only way I can think to get them to pressure these guys to play it safe, and use a capsule boat CORRECTLY - that goes for the official racers and wanna-be racers too.

One of these instances was by a guy who'd been racing boats for 30+ years. So it's not just rookies doing this.

The message is: Stop using HALF of the safety equipment you've got - use all of it - as it was designed, in the proper setting. And lets avoid all these senseless accidents.

[WebinfoAPBA]

This happened at a sanctioned racing event (non APBA)

http://www.armedforcesspecial.com/_WI_0178.jpg

[Cameraboy]

I agree with all said, but...

Why wouldn't people think that they could run a race boat without safety equipment? Jet skis that do over 70mph, with less of a jacket than we require on a J kid at half the speed. 90mph bass boats - ditto. We allow cars and motorcycles on the highway to do 137mph, and the sale of chips that will get around that limit - and the seat belt is still optional. If you provide people with the opportunity to do something stupid, they will do it, race vehicle or not.

[Ron Hill]

My Last Tunnel Ride

The last tunnel I drove, was in a capsule, but I didn't WANT to be strapped in. NO ONE had explained the down side to not being strapped in... Seemed I wouldn't be in harms way anymore more than a non capsule....Truth is, you start thinking about blowing over and hitting the top of the capsule.....and you realize how dangerous this is....

The young man from UTAH, Puglegeci (Forgot or never knew his first name)....he was killed when his leg staps pulled through the capsule bottom and his neck was broken from hitting the top of the capsule. (45 SS kilo record run).

After his accident, the new safety rule required a five inch washer on the leg staps...

As far as how do people get boats??? Our 1997 Formula One Tunnel boat, the black and white Signature/Arcadian sponosred boat, has been sitting along side the road near Big Bear for about five years...I could see someone getting this boat and roaring down the river without seat belts...

Hell, Chad got on Gary Lewis' new SeeDoo and when he saw 70 MPH he backed off and the ski stopped so fast, Chad went over the front...ass over tea kettle... If you read their instrustuctions they say wear a wet suit to prevent being hydraliced!!!!!! (And you don't wear a wet suit on your head!!!...

[Bill Huson]

boating - the last frontier?

Back in the good ol' days, shortly after the invention of the light bulb, there were very few safety rules for boats. The summer I turned 12 I was on the water in an outboard boat - no kill cord, no PFD worn, and no nav lights. My parents feared that if my boat had nav lights I'd never come home until the river started to freeze. At age 13 my boat was honking with faster engine. I could outrun the marine cop! YAHOO!

Great years. Even though safety is an issue I'm behind, I was sad to see states and the USCG crack down on young boaters. Can't operate a boat until 16? What a crock. That would have ruined my young years. I'd rather see the USCG require a boating course and demonstrate one's ability to operate a boat and then issue the young `un a ticket to rock on at say age 12. And of course, any age if they operate said watercraft in a sanctioned event such as RACING!

[T Chance]

Back in the good ol' days, shortly after the invention of the light bulb, there were very few safety rules for boats. The summer I turned 12 I was on the water in an outboard boat - no kill cord, no PFD worn, and no nav lights. My parents feared that if my boat had nav lights I'd never come home until the river started to freeze. At age 13 my boat was honking with faster engine. I could outrun the marine cop! YAHOO!

Great years. Even though safety is an issue I'm behind, I was sad to see states and the USCG crack down on young boaters. Can't operate a boat until 16? What a crock. That would have ruined my young years. I'd rather see the USCG require a boating course and demonstrate one's ability to operate a boat and then issue the young `un a ticket to rock on at say age 12. And of course, any age if they operate said watercraft in a sanctioned event such as RACING!

My words exactly, except I was 13.