Advice on purchasing a wet bike..?
Discussion
Having moved to the west coast of Scotland last year, I've been toying with the idea of buying a small speed boat or jet ski for the last 6 months. However, having watched the fun a couple of wetbikers (no pun intended) had whilst on the ferry back from Arran last weekend make me decide to plump for a wetbike.
Being the complete novice I am, I would appreciate any advice PHers could give on:-
a) best type of bike to opt for (Polaris looking pretty sexy);
b) best of getting requisite training before taking bike out; and
c) minimum standards of insurance etc.
Don't wish to turn it into the normal sail v. power debate - just some friendly advice to someone who'll hold his hands up & say he's a beginner and doesn't want to risk being lablled a 'kn$bhead' by other water users by simply getting on a wetbike & twisting the throttle.
Cheers in advance,
CG
Being the complete novice I am, I would appreciate any advice PHers could give on:-
a) best type of bike to opt for (Polaris looking pretty sexy);
b) best of getting requisite training before taking bike out; and
c) minimum standards of insurance etc.
Don't wish to turn it into the normal sail v. power debate - just some friendly advice to someone who'll hold his hands up & say he's a beginner and doesn't want to risk being lablled a 'kn$bhead' by other water users by simply getting on a wetbike & twisting the throttle.
Cheers in advance,
CG
) to evict the celebrity from the said island.Stand-ups are much more fun and you'll not get bored. Sit downs have limited appeal as you can't do tricks on them. They are also known as armchairs! You can pick up a good standup from about £1500 - £2000. I would suggest you get one. 
You need third party insurance as a minimum, and if you go on Loch Lomond you need to register your ski but this is cheap to do.
Lastly, get yourself a good quality wetsuit. I have been out in January, and there are no issues with overcrowding!
You need third party insurance as a minimum, and if you go on Loch Lomond you need to register your ski but this is cheap to do.
Lastly, get yourself a good quality wetsuit. I have been out in January, and there are no issues with overcrowding!
You may get bored with a stand up if you are not into the perfection of technique. You will definately get bored with a sitdown unless you use it very little. A small power boat is much more sociable but a lot more hassle and expense. If you are going to use a boat best bet is some sort of park and launch provider. Jetskis are very thievable so you need a garage to put them in. Echo what has been said about a wetsuit you need one for the summer anyway as long term exposure to UK sea temperatures is intollerable. Remember if you are going out for a few hours on a jetski you are bound to get soaked and cold kills. Best wetsuit is made to measure and is not that expensive, go for a 5mm body and 3 or 4 mm legs and arms. Rear zip is best unless you always have someone on hand to help you out of it. Shorties give you a bit more freedom but are no use in the winter. Not much to driving a sit down really, as with all watercraft the skill is in slow manouvring rather than high speed open water driving. Remember the jet powered craft has no steering unless it is under power. Once you relase the throttle you have no control over which direction it goes in. Bit like a 911 but more extreem 
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.Cheers for all the info so far.
Re this issue of basic training, do sailing (or powerboat) clubs normally run some kind of basic training courses? I'm a bit aprehensive of taking something capable of up to 60mph+ onto the open sea (and shipping routes
) without a smidgen of training in the art of seamanship....
Re this issue of basic training, do sailing (or powerboat) clubs normally run some kind of basic training courses? I'm a bit aprehensive of taking something capable of up to 60mph+ onto the open sea (and shipping routes
) without a smidgen of training in the art of seamanship....gansstraat said:
Cheers for all the info so far.
Re this issue of basic training, do sailing (or powerboat) clubs normally run some kind of basic training courses? I'm a bit aprehensive of taking something capable of up to 60mph+ onto the open sea (and shipping routes
The fact that you are apprehensive probably means you will be OK. The RYA run basic powerboat courses, but trust me the biggest safety issues are to do with launch and retrieval and manouvering in the marina not being on the open sea.
Just remember you pass on the right like your driving on the continent. Dont go wizzing up and down past a speedboat at anchor just to get a better look cos they may well be having lunch and your wake will rock them about. If you see someone waterskiing dont run up behind them to see how its done cos they have a habit of falling off. Its common sense really just avaid cutting accross the front of anyone and never expect sailing boats to give way even if the stupid gits are having their 12th reggataaaahhhh this year right accross the harbour mouth. nonegreen said:
....and never expect sailing boats to give way even if the stupid gits are having their 12th reggataaaahhhh this year right accross the harbour mouth.
Power gives way to sail
(unless you happen to be a 
great container ship ) Good attitude to take by the OP. As a thought, personal watercraft (jetskis etc) have been found to be "ships" for legal purposes ie. the merchant shipping act applies to them. Have a read up of what your obligations are, though if you do some training it should all be covered.
Tank Slapper said:
....and never expect sailing boats to give way even if the stupid gits are having their 12th reggataaaahhhh this year right accross the harbour mouth.
Power gives way to sailgreat container ship
Yeah but no but yeah but no right because I was never not even there and kevin never said ram him cos he was up the sharp end with a filthy slut that debra shutup and anyway we had a fishing rod so that makes it right shutup so whats it matter if the commodores boat sank stupid old grunter he was nearly dead anyway.
opieoilman said:
I realise that 
But other than Bond I have never seen one, at all, and would love to have ago.
My personal favorites are the Standup handle bar style jetskis.
Currently looking for two of em at the mo as I want the engines and water jet unit from them for a icle project of mine.
You might find one if you trawl through www.traderonline.com
Its the biggest marine market in the world.
Alternatively if its jet bits you want try Lancing Marine in Portslade Sussex. They are jet experts if a bit nerdy. Hope that helps
gansstraat said:
Cheers for all the info so far.
Re this issue of basic training, do sailing (or powerboat) clubs normally run some kind of basic training courses? I'm a bit aprehensive of taking something capable of up to 60mph+ onto the open sea (and shipping routes
RYA Approved course - most (if not all) Marine Insurance companies require you to have a RYA certificate and if you are going to use a private slipway (local boatyard etc) you need to produce your insurance and if launching inside the harbour you need an annual harbour licence - IIRC about £30
HTH
pagey said:
Cheers for all the info so far.
Re this issue of basic training, do sailing (or powerboat) clubs normally run some kind of basic training courses? I'm a bit aprehensive of taking something capable of up to 60mph+ onto the open sea (and shipping routes
RYA Approved course - most (if not all) Marine Insurance companies require you to have a RYA certificate and if you are going to use a private slipway (local boatyard etc) you need to produce your insurance and if launching inside the harbour you need an annual harbour licence - IIRC about £30
HTH
I have owned boats for 25 years and I have never been asked for my certificates except when I went to Spain with the boat. I suggest that if most marine insurances asked for them they would lose their business overnight as most people have never bothered and the RYA is an amateur organisation anyway and their record keeping is crap.
Advice on purchasing a wet bike..?
Stay the hell away from beaches with other humans on. I've nearly been killed by one of the things flying off waves when I was out surfing. If I had a bazooka, I'd use it.
I reckon a small jet boat is a good idea. I paid £400 for a 1962 Dowty Turbocraft. 3L V6 would run in 3" of water, go up rapids and turn in its own length at top speed (about 60mph). For the price of a jet ski, you will get something pretty impressive on ebay.
Stay the hell away from beaches with other humans on. I've nearly been killed by one of the things flying off waves when I was out surfing. If I had a bazooka, I'd use it.
I reckon a small jet boat is a good idea. I paid £400 for a 1962 Dowty Turbocraft. 3L V6 would run in 3" of water, go up rapids and turn in its own length at top speed (about 60mph). For the price of a jet ski, you will get something pretty impressive on ebay.
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