Hi everyone. I'm relatively new to jet boating, been mucking around with boats for a year or so now, so do not claim to know even 1/10 of what I should. However was out at the Waimak gorge last Friday and had some very interesting interactions with other boats.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the number 1 river rule to KEEP RIGHT at all times, right? Especially when approaching another boat!?!
This was one of the first things I found out before even going down to the river for the first time.
Yep, pretty much correct. Another one to go with that is if the upstream boat can stop safely, do so, I would say this applies if there is a narrow section where you can not pass each other on the plane.
The JBA has a rule book and if you are a member you would of been given the rules when you joined and also a simple rule sticker with it that alot of people place on the dash just as a reminder.
vqjet - 9 hours ago »
Correct me if I am wrong, but the number 1 river rule to KEEP RIGHT at all times, right? Especially when approaching another boat!?!
Another way to look at it is in a jetboat is Driver to Driver same as in a car Driver to Driver when heading in opposite direction.
EXTRACT I JUST PULLED FROM THE JBA WEBSITE.
http://jbnz.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=67
Downhill boating is harder than upstream boating
Therefore in rapids or constrained areas
GIVE WAY TO BOATS COMING DOWNSTREAM
1) Visibility. Compare what you can see when standing just back from the top and the bottom of a flight of stairs. Rocks and hazards are hidden just as the risers are hidden when looking from above.
2) Water speed. At any given boat speed the speed at which you are approaching the immovable rocks and hazards is markedly different depending on upstream or downstream direction.
3) A chance to pause. There is usually a pool at the bottom of rapids, this allows a pause in boating and a chance to plan the next directions. There is no such chance above rapids since these areas are more typically shallow.
PASSING RULES
KEEP RIGHT ON RIVERS
When approaching another boat:
*
each boat moves/turns to the right
*
passing port side to port side
*
the left side passes the left side
*
the drivers side is closest to the drivers side
* KEEP RIGHT ON RIVERS
It is important to realise this is the opposite to how we drive on the left of the road in NZ. (There is some evidence that this difference may account for some crashes of boats and jetskis).
When passing from behind:
* you can boat either side with care
Thanks Irish, so it seems to me that the rules are pretty bloody clear as well as easy to find! I was appalled at either the lack of compliance, or more likely, the ignorance that most of the boaters had when I was out on the river. They had no idea what the rules were. I'm normally pretty relaxed about a lot of things but this got me fuming, form what I witnessed it’s just pure luck there were no accidents that day, it was absolute madness out there.
Something really needs to be done about this before there are some really serious accidents! For a start, placing a nice big sign (like the one at Woodstock) at all major launch sites stating the rules would go a long way to educating some of these people. Maybe also make it compulsory to be a member of a club.
mof - 4 hours ago »
Some boat driving education and a licence like we have to have in the west island would be a start. I can't believe your government hasn't realised the revenue stream available from boat licences and boat registration. :roll:
SHUSH, we pay enough we dont need to be paying for more stuff :wink:
If they turned around and made us get licences then they would have to give us access to ALL the rivers then :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
VQjet, I never assume that other boats I meet on the river know the river rules as unfortunately there are a few out there who have no idea!!
The worst one i had was up in the gorge in a narrow section where I met a group of 5 boats coming down, the first 3 where on the "right" side the fourth pulled over to the left & came straight at me 8O & I had to take evasive action. Not a very nice situation.
No its not cool at all! I had my grandpa on board and the whole situation was the opposite of fun. I think I will attach the rotary potato cannon I have been working on to the front of the boat and fire a few warning shots at them next time, pretty sure they will get out of my way, maybe even learn the rules! 8O
vqjet - 3 days ago »
No its not cool at all! I had my grandpa on board and the whole situation was the opposite of fun. I think I will attach the rotary potato cannon I have been working on to the front of the boat and fire a few warning shots at them next time, pretty sure they will get out of my way, maybe even learn the rules! 8O
Haha I agree with you, I'm pretty new to jetboating too and I've had alot of situations where other boats coming upstream will turn into you!! I mean, if you CAN'T stick to the right then at least go slow and make a hand signal that your going to the left etc.
And as for that potato cannon, send me some blueprints, i'm keen!
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