Liability is coverage that is provided for property damage and bodily injury to others (third-party injuries and property damage).   Physical Damage insurance provides collision and comprehensive coverage for scheduled vehicles.

DESTINED FOR PRO SKIING
“I come from one of those crazy ski families where the parents teach their kids that skiing comes first. My dad has built a really cool site for us, and thanks to having my family spending most of our time together at the lake, I know I can keep skiing no matter what. One of the coolest things about becoming a professional skier was that it just swept me in; there was nothing to plan about it.”

APPROACH TO THE RAMP
“It’s only been a few times that I’ve managed to turn my skis from that wide spot on the boat and continue my cut all the way to the ramp and really carry all my speed and direction. That’s the intensity I’m after, and it’s actually pretty cool to know that I have more to work with.”

TRAVELING THE WORLD TO COMPETE
“It took me a while to realize that it’s OK to admit that pro tournaments are pretty stressful. After I came to terms with it, I no longer had to wonder whether I was tough or cool enough, and I’ve been able to enjoy all the trips and the adrenaline of competing a lot more. Aside from the experiences on the water, I really do love traveling, observing different cultures, trying new foods and exploring new places.”

BIGGEST WIN
“Winning the Moomba Masters in 2013 in front of the huge crowd was an unbelievable experience, especially because it was the first big pro tournament I took part in.”

Although the number of recreational boating fatalities has been declining, the number of PWC-related fatalities has been increasing (table 1–1, and figures 1–1 and 1–2). The increase in PWC fatalities is proportional to the increase of PWC in operation. Coast Guard information indicates that 8,005 recreational boating accidents were reported for 1996, of which 2,868 involved PWC. Personal watercraft in use in 1996 represented 7.5 percent of the State-registered recreational boats, yet PWC accounted for 36 percent of the 1996 reported recreational boating accidents, 36 percent of the total number of vessels involved, and more than 41 percent of the persons injured in those boating accidents.

Coast Guard statistics on 1997 recreational boating accidents have not been compiled; however, preliminary information from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)4 indicates there were 83 PWC fatalities in 1997 (additional data from a 1997 NASBLA survey are given in appendix B, and preliminary data by States are in appendix C).5 Including NASBLA’s preliminary numbers in the National Transportation Safety Board’s study on personal watercraft serves two purposes.

First, PWC fatalities decreased in 1996; by considering 1997 numbers, it is evident that the decrease in 1996 did not indicate a reversal in the increasing number of fatalities for 1991 through 1995. Second, the Safety Board’s study collected and analyzed injury information on 27 fatalities that occurred during the first 6 months of 1997; NASBLA’s preliminary numbers for 1997 indicate that the 27 fatalities analyzed are about one-third of the expected number for that year.

It’s fair to say that “Banana” George Blair was the most iconic water skier to ever grace the surface of a lake. A Guinness World Record holder as the only person to have water skied on all seven continents, a multitime national barefoot champion and star of ski shows throughout the world, Blair introduced millions of people to the sport as he defied time as the world’s oldest barefooter.

Personal watercraft are a type of recreational boat designed for riding entertainment (figure 1–3). Because PWC are powered by an engine and intended for the transport of person(s) on water, they fall within the Coast Guard category for motorboats. Although the Coast Guard tracks statistics on a recreational vessel type (Class A inboard motorboat) that includes personal watercraft, the Coast Guard has no official definition of personal watercraft.11

The first commercially successful personal watercraft, the Jet Ski, was introduced by Kawasaki in 1974. Models from the late 1970s and early 1980s were designed for a one-person, stand-up operation. During the mid-1980s, the sit-down style became popular, and it now accounts for 97 percent of the units sold. Most PWC sales are controlled by five companies12 that actively market between 30 and 40 different models designed for one, two, or three persons. Current PWC sales run about 200,000 units per 10

The Marine Index Bureau Foundation is a nongovernmental 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. Its work on the Recreational Boating Accident Register was funded by the Coast Guard and by the insurance industry. 11 The Coast Guard boating accident statistics report for 1996 describes personal watercraft in the glossary: “Craft less than 13 feet in length designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on the craft rather than within the confines of a hull.” (U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard. 1998. Boating statistics 1996. Washington, DC. 39 p.) The Coast Guard has no regulatory definition of personal watercraft. 12 The major manufacturers of personal watercraft are Kawasaki, Yamaha (WaveRunner), Polaris, Bombardier (year, and the 1998 models range in cost from $4,799 to $9,399.

PWC constituted more than one-third (36 percent) of all new recreational boats sold in 1997 and represent $1.2 billion of annual sales.13 Engine power of the 33 different 1998 models of PWC ranges from 62 to 135 hp, engine displacement ranges from 639 to 1131 cc with two or three cylinders, and the vessels range from 87 to 126 inches in length.14 Most models are designed to accommodate two or three riders, but results of a PWC owner survey15 indicate that 68 percent of PWC riding is done alone. The typical personal watercraft sold in 1997 had a dry weight of about 450 pounds and a fuel capacity of 10 gallons.16

With a single rider, PWC operating weight would be about 700 pounds. The PWC owner survey was commissioned by the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA)17 in early 1996. Owners from all 50 States who purchased their vessels between 1991 and 1995 were surveyed; a total of 11,500 surveys were mailed and 2,800 persons responded. Survey results indicated that PWC owners (a group not synonymous with PWC operators) average 41 years of age and have an average household income of $95,400.

In addition, 71 percent are married, 40 percent are college graduates, 85 percent are male, 68 percent have owned a powerboat prior to their PWC purchase, and 73 percent of the time the owner is the operator. The PWIA survey reported that the average owner uses the vessel about 7 days per month during the boating season, and on a typical riding day an average of three different people operate the vessel. In a different survey, of the readers of Watercraft

An experimental slalom course at Gordon Rathbun’s Ski Paradise in Acapulco, Mexico, called the “ambidextrous course” by Rathbun, allows skiers to enter the gates from either their on-or offside turn. “I always wondered if it were an advantage for right foot-forward skiers to start the slalom course edging through the wakes from their good-side lean,” he says. “And what better way to test this than by installing a mirror image course with six buoys on each side.”

Rathbun’s been dreaming about cutting edge slalom technique, slalom course rule amendments and most likely just about everything related to the sport since he first hosted guests in Acapulco 27 years ago. The self-described water-ski junkie hails from Seattle and has taught thousands of people how to ski. His first-class operation continues to be a top draw for slalom rookies and high-end skiers alike.

Boaters should work on securing their yachts to docks or floating docks, keeping in mind the impact wind, currents and changing tide levels can have on a yacht.

You should be able to maintain expert control of your vessel at slow speeds as well as at cruise.  Often dangerous situations call for slower careful navigation.  For example the tight spaces in a marina and limited visibility at night may call for reduced speeds.

Another way to help improve your handling skills is by testing yourself.  Run through practice drills for these situations and try doing them when the conditions are different – with higher winds and stronger currents or during pouring rain, in both good and poor visibility conditions. Ideally you should have the skill and confidence to cope with these scenarios in any situation as it arises.

Make sure to spend some time on the open water where you have adequate room to try different maneuvers with your yacht. Get a feel for how the vessel handles in forward or reverse, when you execute turns either port or starboard and when you stop. This helps you anticipate whether it is safe to move a certain way and how much time to give yourself to safely stop.

It is also very wise to practice practical skills such as approaching an object and bringing it onboard safely, as well as drawing up alongside a buoy or dock. If you are just becoming familiar with your yacht, consider hiring a captain or taking classes to teach you the finer points in operating your vessel. Not only will your additional skills help to protect you, your vessel, passengers and other boaters but it may also lower your yacht insurance premiums.

The Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin or MSO is a document that comes with the purchase of a new boat.  It contains the vessel’s hull identification number or HIN, engine serial number, and when the boat was built and transferred to the retail dealer for resale purposes.  Most states require owners to provide a MSO in order to register and title new boats and outboard motors and previously untitled boats.  This documents acts as a title and often proves essential for registering boats, motors, and trailers with the appropriate agencies and securing yacht insurance.

A boat MSO is designed for state level usage; it serves the same purpose as an initial title document so sellers must provide buyers either a MSO or title in their name.  Buyers should exercise caution when taking a MSO at face value since it is common for the stated HIN to not match the one actually on the boat.  Matching HINs are necessary for filing proper yacht insurance claims.  A MSO is required proof of ownership for all new boats, whereas previous registration, a title, or MSO can provide proof of ownership for used boats.

Customers purchasing new boats from dealerships should obtain the MSO when taking delivery of their vessel in order to take proper legal ownership and begin the registration process.  They can then use it to obtain the title from their state entity.  However, if customers finance their boat purchase, the MSO is forwarded to the lender via the finance company or dealership.  The lender typically holds the title and MSO as the legal lien holder until the boat loan is paid in full.

Without a MSO, an owner may be unable to register and title their new boat.  If a MSO is missing or if the HIN is not clearly typed out, some government agencies will require a boat inspection.  Owners may also experience some trouble meeting yacht insurance requirements.  Insurance companies need to know boat specifics prior to insuring them.  They may request information such as the type, value, year, make, model, length, horsepower, type and number of engines, hull consistency, and any known modifications of the boat.

An avid European yachtsman has constructed a shipyard in China that is producing yachts that are earning a reputation for fine construction. NISI’s experienced European management team is building its latest semi-custom series that was designed with the input of well-known American yacht design firm Setzer Yacht Architects.

The NISI 1700 is a gorgeous craft, featured in Yachting Magazine and a finalist in the 2013 World Yachts Trophy in the most innovative design category.

A midsize yacht, the NISI 1700 has been touted by boating publications as feeling much more spacious although it is less than 60 feet in length. The NISI 1700 boasts lightweight construction with a combination of speed and practicality that doesn’t sacrifice style in the pursuit of safety – over and over reviewers remark on her one-of-a-kind styling. The plumb bow is reinforced with a large stainless steel anchor plate, its polished steel an attractive and durable.

How does the NISI 1700 perform? In sea trial situations the NISI 1700, which boasts a 1,150 HP CAT C-18 engines and the driving force of twin UltraJets, easily reached a 41-knot top and 33-knot cruise speeds. She is proving to be one of the strongest performing in her class: deceptively feeling larger than she is, but agile and swift.

America’s Cup officials are looking at Hawaii, San Diego and other sites for sailing’s marquee regatta in August 2017.

The all-new Super Air Nautique G21 was recently announced at the Orlando Watersports Complex and has quickly gained a lot of buzz in the boating world. The 21-foot sleek design is touted as more powerful than any other contemporary towboat, promising endless possibilities for wakeboarders, wakesurfers and other waterski enthusiasts.

Appealing to the eye, the Super Air Nautique G21 combines modern styling with cutting edge engineering to produce a hull surface that will create a wake to suit everything from beginner to advanced level at varying speeds and line lengths. The engine offers horsepower from 343 to 550 HP.

In addition to its polished exterior and beautiful lines, it has a maximum capacity of 14 people and plenty of storage room for gear.