Skeeter Boats Lawsuit

This is old news, but it brought to mind another area where safety vs legal
vs performance is always an issue.

Take the article with a grain of salt since it is on a site that appears to
be promoting business for attorneys.

"From: http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/Topic=1037

Skeeter bass boats, manufactured by Yamaha Boat Company, are under scrutiny
after a Louisiana man agreed to a $6.885 million settlement in a lawsuit
involving the boats' design and engine. According to the lawsuit, the
90-inch-wide bass boat may make a sudden turn, throwing the driver out of
the boat.
Michael Davis, now a quadriplegic, was thrown from his Skeeter bass boat in
October 2000 after it made an unexpected turn. Davis hit the boat's
propeller. A test conducted by Yamaha in January 2003 reportedly returned
similar results. Davis' attorney also accused Yamaha of manufacturing the
boats with dangerously fast engines. Most models come equipped with 200 or
225 horsepower motors."

I can see some manufacturers deciding to way under rate boats because of
this lawsuit. Fortunately it did not go to court as it would have made
things worse by becoming a legal precedent.

As a side question does BASS have a max allowed HP for their tournaments?
Does it apply to member clubs? How about Federation members or member
clubs?


--
** FREE Fishing Lures
** Weekly drawing
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com

I would like to know just how the boat caused the accident.

But, like all other aspects of life, it seems lawyers have found another
activity to relieve the user of their personal responsibility. "It's the
_______ fault, not yours. You should be compensated."

Of course, there are reasons for warnings such as one found on a toaster:
"Warning: Do not use toaster in oven."


Brad Coovert
2003 Angler of the Year, Greenfield Bassmasters
http://www.greenfieldbassmasters.com

I would like to know just how the boat caused the accident.

But, like all other aspects of life, it seems lawyers have found another
activity to relieve the user of their personal responsibility. "It's the
_______ fault, not yours. You should be compensated."

Of course, there are reasons for warnings such as one found on a toaster:
"Warning: Do not use toaster in oven."


Brad Coovert
2003 Angler of the Year, Greenfield Bassmasters
http://www.greenfieldbassmasters.com

Check here for more on the story:

http://www.thetowntalk.com/html/BFDE...80716344.shtml



"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
This is old news, but it brought to mind another area where safety vs
legal
vs performance is always an issue.

Take the article with a grain of salt since it is on a site that appears
to
be promoting business for attorneys.

"From: http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/Topic=1037

Skeeter bass boats, manufactured by Yamaha Boat Company, are under
scrutiny
after a Louisiana man agreed to a $6.885 million settlement in a lawsuit
involving the boats' design and engine. According to the lawsuit, the
90-inch-wide bass boat may make a sudden turn, throwing the driver out of
the boat.
Michael Davis, now a quadriplegic, was thrown from his Skeeter bass boat
in
October 2000 after it made an unexpected turn. Davis hit the boat's
propeller. A test conducted by Yamaha in January 2003 reportedly returned
similar results. Davis' attorney also accused Yamaha of manufacturing the
boats with dangerously fast engines. Most models come equipped with 200 or
225 horsepower motors."

I can see some manufacturers deciding to way under rate boats because of
this lawsuit. Fortunately it did not go to court as it would have made
things worse by becoming a legal precedent.

As a side question does BASS have a max allowed HP for their tournaments?
Does it apply to member clubs? How about Federation members or member
clubs?


--
** FREE Fishing Lures
** Weekly drawing
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com

Check here for more on the story:

http://www.thetowntalk.com/html/BFDE...80716344.shtml



"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
This is old news, but it brought to mind another area where safety vs
legal
vs performance is always an issue.

Take the article with a grain of salt since it is on a site that appears
to
be promoting business for attorneys.

"From: http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/Topic=1037

Skeeter bass boats, manufactured by Yamaha Boat Company, are under
scrutiny
after a Louisiana man agreed to a $6.885 million settlement in a lawsuit
involving the boats' design and engine. According to the lawsuit, the
90-inch-wide bass boat may make a sudden turn, throwing the driver out of
the boat.
Michael Davis, now a quadriplegic, was thrown from his Skeeter bass boat
in
October 2000 after it made an unexpected turn. Davis hit the boat's
propeller. A test conducted by Yamaha in January 2003 reportedly returned
similar results. Davis' attorney also accused Yamaha of manufacturing the
boats with dangerously fast engines. Most models come equipped with 200 or
225 horsepower motors."

I can see some manufacturers deciding to way under rate boats because of
this lawsuit. Fortunately it did not go to court as it would have made
things worse by becoming a legal precedent.

As a side question does BASS have a max allowed HP for their tournaments?
Does it apply to member clubs? How about Federation members or member
clubs?


--
** FREE Fishing Lures
** Weekly drawing
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com

As a side question does BASS have a max allowed HP for their tournaments?

Yes - rated horsepower for the boat up to 250, nothing over 250 in tournaments
or practice.

Does it apply to member clubs?

No

How about Federation members or member clubs?

Clubs make their own rules - State federation tournaments must follow BASS
rules but club tournaments do not.


Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com