Skeeter Boats Lawsuit

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?

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

http://www.thetowntalk.com/html/BFDE7E25-409F-492D-9847-D22680716344.shtml

>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 fishing.guide@about.com http://fishing.about.com