average riding time for primary drivers?

[Duncan]

In a pic thread, Timmy! mentioned ...

Ahhhh - well, I only have 330 some hours on my boat, so I maybe have 50 hours, 75 at most, of surfing in 5 years.

That got me thinking how little I actually ride. Timmy! above is getting about 15% - 23% of drive time behind his boat.

350 hours over 4 seasons (lower hours this season with infant). I am guessing I have 5% or less riding time.

Our crowds are usually 6-10 adults and more often than not we have several newbies along, who chew up a lot more time. While I like all our groups, I find myself inwardly cheering on those rare 4 adult days with no newbies. Even then, the most I ever grab is three sessions (split between wakeboard and wakesurf). Also, I ride goofy and few of our crew ride the same. So often I skip surfing so as to not have to set up the dark side just for me.

So as a primary driver, how much riding time do you average?

[IDBoating]

Our approach now is to select 15 or 20 minutes as the "rotation interval" and folks get swapped out when their time elapses. This has proven much more fair, because it's easy to lose track of time out there.

I agree newbies are expensive in terms of time. We cut them a bit of slack on the 15 or 20 minute rule when they're first starting. Once they're able to stand up (but before they go ropeless) they're in the rotation along with everyone else.

To your question: On the really busy days with 10+ people on board, I don't get much time behind the boat. And that's OK with me, I enjoy coaching and getting people excited about the water, and I help manage the equipment and ropes and such which is important when you have that many people sloshing around on board. On days with 4-5 active participants I get the 20-25% you'd expect from rotation. And on days where it's just my family, I get 50% of the time (my wife isn't surfing yet) so I can go until my legs feel like noodles.

[Joeprunc]

We usually have a total of 3-4 aboard. So as a primary driver I still get more skiing time behind my boat than my body can handle.

[konajay]

Not nearly enough. This was only our second summer surfing, and the first behind our new boat. So like lots of others, I spend a lot of time teaching others. I did break a good friend into driving this summer, so hopefully it'll mean more surf time for me next year. Now if I can only get my wife to drive....

[halfwatt]

We typically take only a couple people out at a time, a couple hours at a time, so I get in a decent amount of riding time. Usually a few wake board passes, then some surfing after others have ridden. As with the others, I really like teaching first timers, so I don't mind giving up a ride here and there to get a newbie outta the water.

[IDBoating]

I did break a good friend into driving this summer

Yeah, drivers are an issue. I don't turn over the helm of our 24Ve to just anyone, especially at the ballast amounts and hull tilt that we run when surfing. It's easy to take water over the bow if they're not careful when turning back.

Besides me and my wife, I trust Ewok and one other solid driver. We have another semi-regular participant we're ramping up. My 10YO son is a good driver but legally requires a qualified supervisor.

[skippabcool]

I didn't get much time this year because my buddy bought a new boat so didn't ride with us much. I drove a lot this year. Last Friday I got out and it was just my buddy and myself for 4 hours. I got more than I could handle and I'm still feeling it today, proof that I didn't get much riding time in this year.

[jslayde1]

Yeah, drivers are an issue. I don't turn over the helm of our 24Ve to just anyone, especially at the ballast amounts and hull tilt that we run when surfing. It's easy to take water over the bow if they're not careful when turning back.

Yeah I agree, I don't let very many people drive when we are wakeboarding. Too many variables to deal with, especially when there are kids aboard.

And I dont' get much time behind the boat either....mostly because I'm a picky wakeboarder and nobody wants to deal with it.

[mdk681]

If we are truly going to ride, I usually try and keep it to myself plus 2 to 3 - 4 is pretty much max of actual riders I bring. Last night we went out, rider 1 rode for about 20 minutes, rider 2 for about 25 minutes, and myself for about the same. The rotation continues until we have all had enough. We will switch to surfing when everyone is beat to **** from wakeboarding and do the same thing.

I am game to pack the boat if we are heading to the cove to party or go bar hopping on the lake. When it comes to people wanting to seriously ride, I always keep it to a minimum to maximize ride time for all, including myself .

[Fiveflat]

We have a "set" that lasts about 10-15 minutes if you don't crash too much. But that's our rotation. One set per rider, and then rotate through all the riders.
I have 360 hours on my 2012 boat, 180 this summer alone. I have a total of probably 30-45 minutes of ride time out of that.
But to be fair, I don't care to ride too much. I love sitting behind the wheel.

[Fiveflat]

Oh, and if you show up with less that $20 per set, you status as "rider" is disavowed and you are dedicated 'movable' ballast.

[IDBoating]

Oh, and if you show up with less that $20 per set, you status as "rider" is disavowed and you are dedicated 'movable' ballast.

I like the sound of that!

[Fiveflat]

I like the sound of that!

you have to do that. Or at least I do. 180 hours since may at 8-9 GPH... 91octane at $4.29/gallon.

You do the math.

[IDBoating]

you have to do that. Or at least I do. 180 hours since may at 8-9 GPH... 91octane at $4.29/gallon. You do the math.

Trust me, I do. And some of our folks are really good about fuel costs ("I'm coming with you to the gas station. Bring ALL of your gas cans. I'm buying."). I've had visitors drop $250+ in one visit just to restock my fuel supplies.

On the other hand, daily visitors aren't as quick to pay. And as we've discussed before here, I generally don't ask. I accept if it's offered, but the fun and friendship is worth it to me even when they don't. I figure what goes around, comes around. I'm sure I get an equivalent value from them during the year in terms of labor around the house, meals at their place, etc. I don't count pennies amongst friends.

I'm still tempted to get one of those t-shirts that reads "The boat doesn't run on thanks", though.

[Fiveflat]

I definitely try NOT to count pennies among friends as well. But after $6000 there gets to be a point when you gotta keep your head above water.