Water skiing is one adventurous and luxury getaway sport. If you are out there with your family or friends on a boating trip. If you want to explore the water differently. Then you might want to pick up the wakeboard and go about hovering and showcasing some springs and jumps on the water body.
It does look simple when you talk about it, but in reality, water skiing is not that simple and needs a lot of pre-management and post duty to abide by for a safe ride. It is a sport that can tow a single person or even more than one at the same time.
While doing so, most people ask a question such as, a boat is towing two skiers at the same time. How long should the towlines be? Well, no time to be discombobulated. We are here to give you the answer and throw you some essential tips and pointers.
The Complete Guide to Making Your Water Skiing Safe
What to do Before Towing a Skier
Length of the Tow Lines
Maintaining the length of the towline is very crucial in this sport. It not only drags the skier but also links and securely holds the skier to the moving boat. Altering the towlines if there is more than one skier could be catastrophic.
The safe way to go is to maintain the same length on the tow ropes for both the skiers no matter what. If the rope length is not matched, one skier can move astray and wind up messing the line of the second skier. In simpler words, they can obstruct one another while hitting the waves or showboating slides and jumps. To avoid collision or damages, the towlines should always be the same length for both rider.
Know What You are Doing
If you are on steering duty, you must know what you are doing. Your skills and duties ensure the safety of all passengers including you. The same goes for the people on the ski boards. They must be aware of what they are up to and know about the rules of water skiing and safety precautions. This is something you don’t want to overlook.
Say NO to Darkness
First and foremost you should never opt for a ride when there is low light, such as nighttime. It is illegal to do so and can be life-threatening. Don’t take darkness as an adventure. Even if it tempts you to do something daring, we recommend you not to.
Hand Signals
As a rider on the ski-board or the driver of the carrier, you should study the hand signals. This is the most important way of communication while skiing. No matter how professional you are, you better know every gesture and act accordingly. Beginners must learn what every signal and signs mean, to avoid accidents.
Observer Onboard
Have an observer on the deck. There must be a person on the back of the boat to have an eye on the skiers. Simply to determine they are doing fine. They are also the middle man communicating between the rider and the driver.
Safety Gears
Skiers must wear a personal floatation device (PFD) authorized by the US Coast Guard. This has to be the first safety choice and a must-wear item before you step on the water body. A high-impact floatation device is recommended for water skiing.
Know Your Premises
You must know the area you are boating. As a driver, you better know where there is shallow or deep water. Look for unwanted collisions with other boats and skiers. There could be different kinds of hazards on the water, like pilings and rocks. Keep away from such objects so it doesn’t hurt the skiers.
What to do While Towing a Skier
Maintain the Towlines
If there is more than one skier you are carrying. Make sure the towing ropes are of the same length for all the skiers. We have already mentioned why it is important to have the same length of ropes when riding the wave.
Keep Necessary Distance
When you are about to start the boat, keep the skier away from the propeller and then start the engines. Even when skiing, there should be enough distance (twice the distance of the towing lines) from the skier with other objects, boats, shorelines, etc.
Always avoid congestion on the water. There has to be enough space between and for the skier to move freely and effectively.
Keep a Straight Towline
Pick up the speed gradually and steadily, don’t rush. When you reach a certain speed and distance, the towing rope straightens at some time. That’s when the skier should wave a go signal. Now you can increase the speed accordingly and drive freely.
Maintaining the Speed
You can vary your speed depending on the signals the rider gives you. Don’t speed too much or too slow, it might hamper the skier’s ability to keep moving in a standing position.
Communicate with Hand Signals
Always signal to the skier when you are taking turns on the water. Let them know about your movement. The skier should also wave hands and let the driver know about their situation. In case they fall they must make signals that they are safe or in trouble.
Retrieve the Skier Safely in Terms of Fall or Injury
If they fall, you have to make sure you communicate with signals and retrieve the rider ASAP. By circling them you can either get them back to their feet by taking back the tow rope and start over the speeding process or simply by taking the riders onboard to have them checked for injuries. Always have the engine motor turned off as the skiers get aboard to avoid bruises and cuts.
Wrap Up
If you were concerned about how long the towlines should be if a boat is towing two skiers at the same time. Now you know the answer, the dos and don’ts of skiing. It is as simple as it gets, the towing ropes should be the same length for all riders, for solo or multiple skiers. The length should never be compromised for anyone in particular because it will hamper the safety of the ride and might injure some people. Skiing is one hell of an interesting and thrilling experience. Give this article a read and soon you will be able to hit the water without any risk.