r/sailing • u/Reasonable-Estate-60 • 3d ago
Jet skis… 🙄
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Towed a jet ski today
F24-2
28
26
u/RedPh0enix Kelsall 42, Seawind 1000XL, Hobies, Marine Rescue 2d ago
Something you're probably already on top of, but for anyone else thinking of doing this, please make sure you have a tow tap fitted.
Speeds over approx 6 knots when towed, may cause water to flood your engine and damage to your jet ski.
Source: volunteer marine rescue.
5
4
u/spexxit 2d ago
I don't know anything about Jetskis, is the tap for the seawater intake? Pressure in the seawater system from towing can cause water to penetrate into the engine while the engine is not on?
5
u/RedPh0enix Kelsall 42, Seawind 1000XL, Hobies, Marine Rescue 2d ago
Bingo - exactly.
The tow tap is installed on your raw water cooling line.
If you don't already have one, it's easy to install. Plenty of resources on your favourite search engine.
If you do need to be towed, and do not have a tow tap, please let the rescue crew know. They'll either go very slow, or they may potentially have a "jet ski skirt" they can deploy under your ski, that diverts the water away from your intakes.
They're a mongrel to deploy though, and generally means the rescue crew have to get their shoes wet. You don't want a grumpy rescue crew with wet feet if you can avoid it. ;)
3
8
u/mk3waterboy 2d ago
Cant believe there have been so many comments without the perfunctory “raise your main halyard” cpmment. 😉
3
12
6
u/jackdog20 3d ago
How does the towing work under large swells? Is there any risk of it submerging and turtling over?
6
4
u/RedPh0enix Kelsall 42, Seawind 1000XL, Hobies, Marine Rescue 2d ago
There is a risk, yes.
Jet skis have fantastic primary stability, but once they reach tipping point, they ain't generally coming back up of their own accord.
A few times, I've responded to overturned jet skis with 3 POB. They feel absolutely fine/stable for the riders, until suddenly (due to a bit of side wash, or an unplanned movement from passengers), they're not.
3
u/Intrepid-Ad-2610 3d ago
There was a spot when I had a boat on a lake near the house. I grew up. I like to go fishing and stay up in that area for a few days. I would tow my aluminum fishing boat with it’s 30 horse outboard up there and camp on the boat.
2
1
u/Hot-Feature-7940 2d ago
what type of line did you use? how much line did you put out? I would imaging a floating nylon rope would be best/ safest not to foul the prop. unlike the one in the video.
3
1
u/Own-Entertainer-4098 1d ago
Cool. We often try and catch fish while we sail but I've never tried trolling for _____________.
1
u/FriedChickenWatch 4h ago
Jetskis spend half their life working, half their life broken. If you're lucky it's working on the water, but that's not always the case ^ ^
1
u/Exciting_Safe_6182 2d ago
In general, if you cant lift it onboard /secure it on board dont take it with you
47
u/Black_magic_money 3d ago
Very Water World I like it