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DANGER FOR POWER BOATERS AND THOSE AROUND THEM
I read this morning that one of the hot new things to do on the water is SUP.
2015 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
January 10-18, Direct Energy Centre
TOP 5 BOATING TRENDS
New boats unveiled, hundreds of innovative products and the latest marine
gadgets to hit the market –North America’s largest indoor boat show is the
premier destination for a head start on what will be trending on the waters
this summer!
STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING
Stand Up Paddleboarding otherwise known by its acronym SUP, has experienced unprecedented
growth in the last five years as one of the hottest fitness trends to hit the water - catapulted by celebrity
ambassadors such as Jennifer Anniston, Madonna and Will Smith who are all fans of the sport. The act
of standing on a long board (oversized surfboard) and using a paddle to move through the water, not
only boasts a powerful full-body workout, especially exercising the core muscles that help maintain
balance on the water, but its greatest appeal is the low intimidation factor. Almost anyone can learn, no
matter what age or skill set; it’s fairly affordable with paddleboards starting at under $1000; and has
become increasingly user-friendly with boards that are lightweight and inflatable for easy storage. 2012
was an “explosion year” for the sport in Canada, and according to SUP dealers, retailers and
instructors, the trend shows no signs of slowing. In fact, its popularity continues to grow among female
participants (accounting for approximately half of the demographic) and new hybrids of the sport have
emerged such as SUP yoga, SUP racing, and SUP rowing. Shop the Mariners Marketplace for
endless selection of SUP boards and accessories, or check out The Lake schedule for SUP demos!
So why worry about SUP's and the others who share the water ways. and sometimes very limited space harbors with Power Boats. As a power boat captain I do my very best to provide space and I am courteous to those who are in the same proximity as I am.
Well its more complicated then that now! New Power Boats that have joy stick controls for low speed maneuvering and electronic anchor buttons are not even in the same family as older Power Boats. Older Power Boats have fixed prop positions and the only steering and shift input comes from the driver. Who I hope was watching the busy waterway. Unless the captain got a case of nerves the reaction from a boat could be judged by the person operating the SUP , kayak or whatever other self propelled boat maybe passing by. Simply by having an eye on the captain of the power boat would keep things in check.
This is no longer the case at all. The most dangerous place you can find yourself in a smaller craft is next to or behind a Power Boat with IPS, AXIOUS or Zeus. When the captain of one of these boats either presses a button or uses the joy stick controller he or she has given control to a computer. A computer that has no eyes, ears or emotion all it knows is were the input tells it to be. This creates a power boat captain who is way over confident about his or her abilities.
The computer in electronic anchor mode controls the throttles and the steering. In this mode the computer can have the props oppose each other and spool up the throttle to high RPM. This will and can create enough current and wash to sink any smaller craft within an easy 10 foot radius around the back or sides of a larger Power Boat. The reaction time to shut this down is too long to save the person in the water. So be ware SUP and other small craft that requires the person to provide power and control. You don't stand a chance against the Power Boat and the computer system. Just so you know a lot most Power Boater Operators use this system while waiting for traffic or standing off at a fuel dock.
Joy stick driving creates the same issues. To give you an idea of what happens when the joystick is engaged: A traditional captain on his or her boat will make at least 7 adjustments of shift and steering to get a Power Boat into a slip. The computer will make 70 moves in the same amount of time and space. Almost 100% of the time the captain has no idea were the props are facing and an accurate estimate of RPM on the engines. You couple joystick control with electric bow and aft thrusters and you have a captain that is so busy moving toggles that he or she wont even know your there.
I hate to say it but the rules about who gives way are incredibly dangerous now, do yourself a favor if you are on a SUP or any other smaller self propelled craft you will need to give a large area up to a new power boat. If you don't it could mean your life! I say this with the most respect as these systems of fly by wire are new and boaters who have them have been overwhelmed with joystick control and allowed the boat to crash on more than one occasion.
I intend to forward this to a very nice gentleman that I meet at one of the Canadian Boat Shows this year he is an instructor and a journalist. I would like his reaction. Boat Nut will keep you up to date with what he says about the relationship between Power Boaters and SUP. Anyone for that matter who needs to negotiate or share a harbor with Power Boats while operating a self powered vessels.
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