Equipment Outfitters

Americans enjoy waterskiing each year, making it one of the most popular waterborne sports. But there’s more to it than just having a boat and finding a deserted body of water. For maximum pleasure and safety the boat should be properly outfitted and the skipper must understand what skills are required. An observer facing aft, toward the skier, must be as involved as the skipper.

Equipping the Waterski Boat

The waterski boat should have a sturdy method of attaching the waterski tow rope. For most boats, this is a bridle attached to two towing eyes on the stern. A rearview mirror can help the driver, and a boarding ladder makes it easier to retrieve the skier. The standard tow line is a 75-foot polypropylene line that floats, with a padded and floating handle. All skiers should wear a flotation device such as the lightweight waterski PFD.

Driving the Waterski Boat

Pick a course in smooth water that is clear of other boats, swimmers and other skiers. If other skiers are in the area, avoid following them in case they fall. Unless the skier is experienced, advise him to stay in the wake of the boat.

Water Starts

With the skier well away from the boat the observer throws him or her the tow line. After double- checking to make sure that the skier is safely away from the boat and that the ski line is clear of the propeller, move the boat ahead at idle speed to take up the slack. When the skier is ready and shouts “In gear!” idle forward to take up the remaining slack. At the skier’s shout “Hit it!” the boat should accelerate smoothly up to a speed suitable for the skier’s experience level.

In addition to equipping the boat properly, both the driver and the observer should be familiar with the universal waterski hand signals used by the skier to communicate. Equally important is knowing how to retrieve a waterskier from the water quickly or getting the tow line back to a downed waterskier before he or she tires. The observer should watch the waterskier at all times. The driver should look ahead.

Returning the Tow Line

When a waterskier falls, return immediately to the skier’s area. Hold one arm up to warn other boats that there is a skier in the water. Make a circle that sharpens after passing the skier. This will drag the tow line past the skier who can grab it and slide back to the end before starting the ski sequence. This should be done at slow speed.

Retrieving the Skier

After circling back and pulling in the tow line, make a slow approach from downwind at idle speed, keeping the skier in sight on the driver’s side of the boat. As the boat nears the skier, shift into neutral or turn the engine off while the observer puts the boarding ladder over the side and helps the skier into the boat.

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