Safety at the Rumble !! Instigators Thoughts

[KaptainKirk]

I've been playing with fast O/B's most of my 42 7/8ths years and I learn something almost every day! I have made so many changes/up dates to my Stream/Frankenrude project after getting advice from some of these people I can't even count em!!
I am taking a pleasure boat and turning it into a race boat. The rigging in the boat would/will pass for any calss of racing in the country! I understand the magnitude of what I am attempting, and the repercutions of a mistake or mechanical failure of the speeds I/We after.
It can be catastrophic!!
Do we all understand and accept this??
And then are you putting your friends/family/loved ones in the boat with you??
#5. Every body needs to know their limits. Every one is different.
Believe me, if I get my rig done the day before the Rumble, I'll still run it but you wont see it over 75 MPH!!
#6. We are representing what is most likey a dying facet of power boating. There is nothing that would make the tree huggers happier than to see us shoot our selves in the foot at this thing!
Instead lets show them how big of a group we really are and that we can boat safely and responsibly.
Then if they try taking my 2 stroke away from me-----
Anyhow, enough rambling. I think you get my point.
#7.Be carefull, be smart, be safe, and have fun!!
And K.K., the every one is different comment--- I think you know who that is about My comments about the 25 year old SideWinder were in no way aimed at Delaware Rick or any one person in paticular for that matter.
His project just made the perfect example of how it could go. Kinda either way type thing.
I for one love the 25 yr old classics. A lot of em had way more style/character than the new boats.
I know Rick will have his **** together what ever he brings!
Again, his was an example only.
Around here I see way too many people buying a 55 MPH rig and doubling the HP's w/o doing anything else to them.
That's just plain STUPID!!
As an example I rebuilt an OMC XP 200 for a freind to replace the dead cross flow on his Checkmate.
I drove the thing durring break in and told him he was stupid!!
Single cable steering that froze at anything above 50, kill switch that did'nt work, trim button on the throttle handle only ( that fell off), etc, etc.
In the Hi Po O/B world we are like I feel about polititions.
We should be held to a higher level. Be more reponsible, safer etc.
It is our responsiblity as Scream and Fliers and Hi Po Boaters in general to be aware of our actions and those around us.
We have a responsibility to help/advise/mentor those around us that don't have the knowledge or background in this area that we do.
We can all take a lesson from the Perf Boat Club of Canada. Some of those guys have some amazingly fast rigs. But you know what they preach up there??
SAFETY,SAFETY,SAFETY!
I have been up to my eye balls in my FrankenRude/Stream project and the Rumble but still take the time to answer every e-mail, every question, lend advice, help with parts or patterns of parts because some one else did it for me!!
THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY, AND I PROUDLY ACCEPT IT AS THAT!
It's like the ass holes on the crotch rockets riding wheelies in rush hour traffic and not even wearing helmets!!
They do more damage to the sport of motorcycling than they are smart enough to know!!
Same with us.
If your that good, join the APBA/ODBA and prove it!
I'll wager that most of us will have our hat size reduced rather abruptly!
Those comments in my earlier post apply to all of us, it is our responsibility.
Lets respect the rite that we "still" have, and do what we know is right.
P.S. If any of you computer experts have the knwoledge to combine my last two posts into a seperate post as K.K. suggests (good idea), please do so.
Thanks guys!
Gary

[Instigator]

And about taking my cash at the Rumble??
Dream on Son!!

[vic peters]

very good point made. as crew chief of house of color motorsports unlimited outboard 2time odba world champion. we have a very intinsive safty program . there can't be enough emphasis on safety. incidents such as at montgomery al. @ plymouth n.c. give the sport a black eye. enough said. you guys all be safe first ,go fast second. see ya at mt pleasant

[T-REX]

I think U are right...anytime there iz speed and boats involved, safety should be the main concern...sum Boats are designed to handle that type of speed and sum arn't...when taking older boats and making them take the newer and higher HP motors, a lot of caution should be taken...Maybe everyone should be asked to have several hours of seat time before stretching it out at the rumble...When I wuz Flying Giant scale R/C airplanes, every one flying at an event had to sign a form that they had so many hrs flight time on thier plane...this asured there wuz no un-proven pplanes to be flown at the event(But that wuz santion insurance regulations)...I don't think the rumble will have any speed related problems, because it sounds like they iz gunna be a bunch of OMC there...and we know ya ain't gotta worry bout the 2 being to close together(speed&OMC)...see ya at da rumble...REX:cool:

[dan agnew]

kk, im with you 1000% we are responsible for our and every idiot on the waters actions. when a boat turns over if it has more than 50 hp it is labled a race/hotrod boat. if the exhaust is louder than stock it is a race/hotrod boat and everyone watches waiting for him to piss off someone or wreck. hell where we run our boats in front of the shop you can wait until nobody is out in the cove and make one pass and every sterndrive in the lake will come by at 1500 pulling a giant wake hoping to see a blowover. we stop and hit the trailer and they leave wont see them for hrs make a pass and here they come again. pwc dont even get me started. run a 100 mph boat and here comes three of them trying to race you and one will always cut in front of you. but hit one and see who is at fault.
anyway,kk i started this to say he better be a damm good friend as you just admitted to 1000s that you as the expert aidded him in his misguided boating. a good lawyer and even with no accident you assisted him overpower. not saying your wrong just that in this day and time you can get bitten, more than once and hard. just pick who you help and instruct them as best you can and hope they heed your advice.
i have been upside down every way possible, it hurts even more now as an over 50 grandpa, try to guide those that havent been wet yet as they will somewhere down the road.
gator, you should insist on jackets in water, and if possible an killswitch inspection as a minimum requirement. i know inspection is a hassle,always one wise ass that feels he should be exempt from safety as it is only for those that are going to wreck.RITE

Danny

[fasteddie]

I haven't heard a single thing mentioned about the consumption of the coooolll beverages I am sure many will be consuming at the rumble. I assure you I am not interested in running beside anyone no matter how much safety equipment they or their boat has if they are not in a sharp quick reacting state of soberness.
As far as inspection, I don't think I want that liability to say his or her kill switch is going to work , or that lifejacket will stay on at 100mph impact. I sure hope we are all smart enough to keep this stuff in good state of repair, if not for our own safety but for the safety of the ones around us.
It really sounds as if this event is going to be a good thing for the sport that so many of us love and invest a lot of time and hard earned cash to support.Please lets all do our part to keep the RUMBLE a safe and fun event that we all will be welcomed back to year after year.

[delawarerick]

Fast Eddie thats a good point acohol and 50 let alone 100 can be a bad mix. The worst accidents in this neck of the woods have been acohol related. If your not behind the wheel I will buy the drinks. As far as old hulls some are a hell of alot better built then the new but arent as fast. Delawarerick

[152]

Thanks alot for your post. It's good to know so many of us are on the same page. Reply or not this is good reading for everyone. I'm heavy into racing and know this stuff well , but it's the little reminders that help keep us all safe. {keep passing the word} ***SAFTY*** :D

[woodco]

Speed problems....... BLAHAHAHAHAHAHA...... Yu Funny :p

Us OMC guys got safety issues from dem Merc's self destructin
and throwin piston's and parts everywhere.......

Well maybe not since we'll be in front when dey blow :D


Hehehehehehe........ Yur turn :p

[KaptainKirk]

Forward ta meeting ya Woodco...............
Especially after I send ya ta the Trailer first..........
And make ya wait til I send the resta the ssssssllllllllloOMC's
ta the trailer also,then I will shake your hand and say Howdy!
LOL

[woodco]

LOL....... We like the trailer thats where we stash the cocktails...

Definately gonna be fun ;)

Jus don't drop dem " Trophy's " for us on the way to our
trailers..........:D


Hehehehe............ Long Live Omc

[Rodney Nance]

I agree saftey is the first thing we all should be thinking about. But there is no set of rules or orginization that can make someone that chooses not to conform to do otherwise. The people who are involved have the most say in the matter. Ever been to a Harley/Biker function? The real power is the participants. You screw up it looks bad on all of us and they dont like that. I'm with them.

[AnthonySS]

THANKS a ton for your recognition of PBCC GARY! We are still learning too!

Safety on the water means a lot too me. As you noted we have a HUGE responsibility to mentor those around us effectively about our sport!

As you and I have spoke out-right on this, I am certain that if we put the safety issue upfront in our hi-perf quests, we will be guaranteed a prosperous future for our sport. We do not want to get outlawed!!

I know I have talked to a number of you in great lengths on this topic and I really appreciated the support.

Unfortunately even putting the rules down on paper and voicing them at drivers meeting still does not exempt us from mishaps. Because the next ingredient is what each individual does with that advise once we all hit the water! It’s in each and everyone of our hands when the propeller meets the water.

I cannot emphasize the importance of attending Drivers Meetings and getting your boat safety inspected.

Guys, give yourselves lots of time in the mornings before you set out to an event. Do your most to have your rig mechanically fit and yourself physically fit. Keep your hormones in check and try not to prove anything when you’re on the water, with a large group of other Perf-boats. We all know you have a fast boat! Save that proving stuff for the Racing Leagues!

My wife and I are planning on attending the Rumble and we will try our best to support the safety element of this run!!! We would like to share with you some simple common sense practices when your on the water…that will help you and your family, have a safe and memorable outing on the water!!!

THANKS for speaking up on this GARY!!!