Howzit Gents I've been a paddle ski angler for

MichaelK

MichaelK

Sealiner
Howzit Gents

I've been a paddle ski angler for many years now and have thouroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I find myself wanting more out of the sport now and have subsequently gone 3 ways in investing in a ski boat.

But i'm now not enjoying being crowded all the time and long for my own personal space on the boat.

So i'm seriously considering investing in a good fully rigged second hand jet ski now.

I'd like to know from the more experienced jet ski anglers which skis i should be looking at. (A good ski but reasonably priced)

Secondly, when purchasing the ski what should i be looking in terms of worn parts / seals ect ect

Which class skippers ticket should i be going for

Can jet skis only launch at designated launch sites like ski boats or anywhere like paddleskiers?

How much fuel do the jet skis take and how far / long does that last you???? ----- i ask this because on our ski boat we fill 4 x 25Lt at about R680 per fishing trip.That enables us to trawl for most of the day.

Are there any jet ski clubs in the Durban and surrounding areas?

I know these questions may seem silly, but its a hell of an outlay and i need all the facts before jumping in feet first.

Lastly, i do not have a 4x4, so advice on easy accessable launch sites not requiring 4x4 access on the natal coast line would be much appreciated

Cheers

Mike
 
J

Jiggy Monster

New member
Hi Mike,

Like you, I have also been a paddle ski angler for 8 years and decided a year and a half ago to move over to jetski angling. One regret, I should have done it 15 years ago. I am enjoying it that much.

Not sure I am able to answer all of your questions but will do my best.

I purchased a Yamaha Waverunner - FX 140. This is more than suffiant for me. There is no wave that you cant outrun and fuel economy it excellent. I can trawl at between 6 and 20 km/hr for 7 - 8 hrs and use 22 litres of fuel. The fuel capacity on this ski is 70 lts

I have an E class skippers but am going to upgrade to C shortly, as soon as I can find someone who does this.

Like you I dont have a 4X4 yet (am currently in the pocess of buying one) so I joined Hibberdene ski boat club where launching is a piece of cake. There are a number of clubs around where 4X4's are not required and there are also launch sites where one is needed like Umkomaas.

Hope this helps a little, but I'm sure there are many very helpful guys on this forum that will assist you and answer questions I cant.

Good Luck. You wont be sorry
 
MichaelK

MichaelK

Sealiner
Thanks Jiggy, the fuel consumption rate is extremely appealing. Is there any chance of you posting a pic of your set up?

Another question for the durban guys, whats the laws on exiting the harbour mouth?

At one stage durban ski boat club would not allow jet skis to launch from there base, has that changed and can one launch from the vetchies area?
 
J

Jiggy Monster

New member
Durban ski boat club did allow jetskis a while back. I believe it was on a 6 months trial basis to see if the guys behaved themselves. Not sure what the status is now. They were launching from their base but I believe you had to be a memebr of the DSBC and your ski had to at that time have a categry D safety compliance.

I dont believe jetskis are allowed out the harbour mouth. Also not sure that you can cross the harbour mouth when launching from Vetchies. I am open to correction on this though.

I'll send you a pic as soon as I get home. Dont have any on this computer.
 
Y

Ya Toivo

New member
Hallo MichaelK,

I also use to fish off paddleski until they close the area north of sodwana to us, places like black rock banga neck etc. And I also had boats all sizes. Now I only have a jetski left, because that is the most practical and easiest. No worries about crew, no worries about 4 hours boat cleaning sesions with no one helping. Usally at Vidal I am on the water in summertimes around 05h00 and back with fish around 09h30 to 10h00 and still able to spend the day with my family on the beach.
Anyway, what i want to say is that you will not go wrong with jetski. For your info, there is a jetski that I know of that my brother inlaw bought from race tech and he only went to sea I think 3 times, now he has to get rid of it. Let me know if you interested I can put you in contact with him. Its a Yamaha 140hp 2008 model.

Cheers
 
S

Sparky69

New member
Howzit Mike. I bought a ski about 2 weeks back, also the switch from paddleski to jetski.

i had exactly the same questions as you and by reading through some of the post i managed to gain some good info. check my post on "is it worth my while....." for some of the answers guys gave reagarding starting up and 4x4 use.

Dude i can't wait to get my ski on the ocean. Weather hasn't been great since i got her and was away over long weekend. taking her back to racetech today to have a beach strip fitted so hopefully i'll be on the water next weekend.

 

oh and as for skippers get a cat d for yourself and your ski. it's the max you can get for jetski fishing.
 
MichaelK

MichaelK

Sealiner
Right so some more doff questions, i've seen chaps wipe out at inanda dam and obviously water has gotten ino parts of the engine where it should not have gotten into and these okkies are stranded.

Now as i said before i know absolutely nothing about jet skis, is this because they are using older skis and are your jet skis prone to similar incidents?

Secondly, if for some reason your jet ski gives engine problems out at sea, where do you attach the tow rope to assist the stranded jet skier in.

Lastly, has anyone been stranded out at sea and had someone tow them in? How did you get the jet ski to the beach through the waves without any power?
 
J

Jiggy Monster

New member
Hi Mike,

I think this has a lot to do with behaviour.

Most times you go out to sea, like a paddle ski, you get wet. Its a wakeup call. I have been totally drenched many times. It has had no effect on the ski. They are designed to roll over and as long as they are righted correctly, should be ok.

Then the answer to the last questions can be summed up as "never go out to sea alone" always take a buddy.

People have broken down at sea but because they have been out with others they have been towed back successfully. There is however a problem with towing jetskis without the engine running. I believe water can get forced into the engine.

I would still go with this rather than sit out at sea.
 
L

lemon

Senior Member
Howzit!

I can help with your skippers etc, we are accredited examiners send me a pvt message or email info@aquajacks.co.za
 
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