Do you need a "spotter" to wakeboard behind a wave

apgreen · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2

Any of you guys been pulled over by the harbor cops for not having a spotter on a waverunner towing a wakeboarder? I live in San Diego and was curious. Thanks for any input you can provide.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

apgreen, yes. CA law requires a spotter when towing, regardless of vessel type.

Also, the vessel must be able to accomodate a driver, spotter, and rider - i.e. you need a 3 seater.

apgreen · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks, not as convenient as going out for a spin with one buddy, however! Everyone else in agreement?

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

in Texas you need either a spotter or a 4"x4" mirror. We do the 2 man rotation all the time. But the law varries by state. chavez has been doing this for a while.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Dpierce37, you can wakeskate just the same as board, ski or tube. Confused

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

yea but you said the vessel must be a 3 seater with a driver and a spotter and a rider...

Do you need a spotter and a driver for a seadoo?

does a seadoo have different laws in CA?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Dpierce37, the vessel, whether it be a full on boat, Waverunner, or SeaDoo, has to have a minimum of 3 seats.

So, when the rider is in tow, the driver and spotter are on the SeaDoo/Waverunner/boat.

In CA a vessel is a vessel when it comes to towing a rider. Doesn't matter if it's a sailboat, same rules apply.

jonsmith2340 · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 370

Not sure about the seating issue but this law varies from state to state. MN you can use a mirror of appropriate size and WIS you need a spotter. Check with your your state's reg. Usually this info would be on the state's DNR website.

JamesWatts · Addict Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 685 City: Santa Monica

where are there waves in a harbor?

pointblank12 · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 313

im glad my state isnt like that...we ride whenever, however, with whoever. Exclamation

gswake · Posted: May 11, 2005 9:22 am Post subject:

pointblank12, a quick search yields http://coastguardaux.com/divpages/publinfo.html, which has a link to a document that says, in part: