could have been worse

**Shaun K** · 08-19-2024, 01:05 PM

**John S** · 08-19-2024, 01:30 PM

Better to be telling the story, rather than having it be told aboot you in past tense. Lucky SOBs for sure. I've wondered aboot these guys with the big cats with the new big HP in open waters. 120+... A lot of things happen. Fast.

**22R** · 08-19-2024, 01:51 PM

Dayum !!

22R

**VkingMike** · 08-19-2024, 01:58 PM

Wonder what type of hydraulic steering that was.

More interesting is what do you think actually broke first?

**LakeFever** · 08-19-2024, 02:30 PM

Wow that sucked. Those guys were lucky. I’d like to know more about the steering type and model too. Same kind of crash as maxwell cambells last run where his steering pivot bolt broke

**CDave** · 08-19-2024, 03:11 PM

One second ya havin' a ball and the next the ball is having you.

That has got to be one hair raising experience. Good to see they survived without major problems. They can still walk and talk.

Not sure the laws/regs where they are but I'm pretty sure in the States if you can give assistance you are required to do so.

**Instigator** · 08-20-2024, 06:16 AM

Wow!

You guys are luckkkkkyyyyyyy….

Thk god you had your vests on.

Thx for having the balls to (and acceptance from owner!) to post this video.

Amazing video (!!) and one everyone w/a fast OB should watch.

And as owner/operator we MUST accept that once we let someone else get in our boat, they are our responsibility!

Scary, scary, scary!

Thx again for posting so happy you guys are OK.

**Greg G** · 08-20-2024, 06:30 AM

I can relate. About 9 years ago while running some tests in the late fall my hydraulic steering failed as well. Instantly tossed my out of the boat, blacked out upon impact and ended up face down even though I had two vests on. Given it was fall, no boats on the water except for one who evidently had been watching the passes from a distance with a friend and there two young sons. When they saw no tail they thought something might have gone wrong and moved toward the boat. I was unconscious face down in the water and they put the two kids down in the cabin, closed the door and fished me out. Broke all my ribs on the left side, shoulder and clavicle. Spent 4 days in ICU.

Those two guys saved my life, if they don't move quick, I'm pushing up daisy's. The video showed me what it must have been like.

Great those young men emerged intact.

**LakeFever** · 08-20-2024, 06:59 AM

What steering system were you running Greg? What failed?

**Greg G** · 08-20-2024, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by LakeFever

What steering system were you running Greg? What failed?

It was Sea Star Pro but what ended up failing was the pressure hose that comes through the transom. Failed right at the connector probably due to the constant combo of salt water and hot sun. The piston and bolt was fine. I had never been able to visualize that it must have looked like until I watched the video above.

**Instigator** · 08-20-2024, 03:58 PM

Yep.

About as good and definitive video of a high speed OB get out.

I did it several times in my kneel down days but only at 60 - 65 mph and it was the most violent thing you (that haven’t experienced it) can imagine!

80 - 100?????

No thanks!

I did have a gear case cleaned off a motor from semi floating debris, in my STV at 95 but stayed in the boat.
My instincts took over and I dropped as low in the seat as I could get and wedged myself and stayed in the boat.

Greg one of my good friends has a near identical story and I’d only alive due to a spectator that was watching, saw him go over and went in for him!

He was on the bottom!

Very smart that the parents put their kids in the cabin.

Originally Posted by Greg G

It was Sea Star Pro but what ended up failing was the pressure hose that comes through the transom. Failed right at the connector probably due to the constant combo of salt water and hot sun. The piston and bolt was fine. I had never been able to visualize that it must have looked like until I watched the video above.

**Greg G** · 08-21-2024, 07:19 AM

Yes, the Dad's were smart on that. My kids wrote long notes on a big card and I dropped it off to them at there business. They explained how things went down. Pretty erie to hear it, but nuts to see it on that video.

Many have said it here on the site, chit happens very very fast. When I see guys without vests I just shake my head.

**LakeFever** · 08-21-2024, 08:10 AM

Jackie Stewart in an interview summed it up in the most relatable way I’ve ever heard. He said speed doesn’t exist until you crash. When a crash occurs events are happening too quickly to do anything about and that is speed.

needless to say I gave up two wheel speed in my 20’s. Nothing worse imo

**Chaz** · 08-28-2024, 09:49 AM

They found the limits of a three ram clamp bracket and front mount steering. Yes it's lighter .. but as we can see .. much more fragile.

I can't help but think if they had a a single ram (offshore) bracket, 300x type can and side steering, that wouldn't have happened.

Glad to see they made it out alive with minimal personal damage ..