Proper way to pick up your downed rider

[talltigeguy]

A power turn is never quicker or safer.

It is a lot faster when I do it instead of idling back to my rider.

Most people simply can't recognize the fact that they are messing up the good water by power turning. I didn't see it either until it was pointed out to me.

[embo]

embo, think about it this way, after all wake enhancement devices are outlawed, we will be sitting pretty good with still the biggest wakes with our convex hulls! Now if they outlaw convex hulls then we may have a problem, lol.

I like the positive attitude...seriously. Thanks for the reality check there Dave S. I am going to wear out the 5-6 miles of river I can surf in next summer for sure. The "other half" wanted to go and at least sit in the boat on the river yesterday - so we did. It was 60 degrees and the water temp was 55 degrees with a cool breeze and the leaves falling off the trees into the water. She loves the boat!

[somebodyelse5]

[QUOTE=laserfish;451321]

the boats are symmetric, why would turning right, vs turning left make any difference?

I turn right because I can just look over the side of the boat and see my downed rider go by. On the left, I cannot see them and don't know how close they are. If I turned left, I would have to cross over my rope to have the rider come down the right side. Much safer if you can maintain constant visual on your rider.

gotcha! see that makes sense! i always keep the rider on my side when picking them up for the same reason.

[Ewok]

[QUOTE=somebodyelse5;451376]

gotcha! see that makes sense! i always keep the rider on my side when picking them up for the same reason.

X2

[Jeffe]

After doing my POWER TURN I just head straight for them and hope that they can swim fast enough to get out of my way.

[MoneyPity]

Since gas costs too much no more power turns. For our experienced older riders who ski we decided that we would do steps 1,2,4,5. Actually only part of 5. We pop into gear for a couple of seconds and make them swim to boat to get them in shape. (Of course only when safe to do). Our youngsters we give a break.
j/k

We always retrieve our tubers.

[skyski_tige]

I just kill the boat and the rider swims back. Saves on gas and wake...

[Bakes5]

I always try to bring the swimstep right to the downed skier. Essentially, I aim for a point about 1 foot to the right of the person while going at idle speed. Then when I am about a boat length away I turn hard left all the way. Once the tip is pointing about 1-2 feet to the left of the rider I give it a little gas (with the wheel cranked all the way to the left) which adds a little whip to the back end and then shut it off. The boat will then continue to spin and drift and usually ends up with the platform gently spinning right up to the downed rider. Never need to use reverse.

Bakes

[TeamAllen]

I just kill the boat and the rider swims back. Saves on gas and wake...

Thanks for the laugh, that was hilarious!

[MoneyPity]

Not hilarious. Practical. Need to save fuel and be green.