Here's why you always need to wear a life jacket and have a functioning engine kill switch.
These guy's were very lucky to have survived being thrown from their boat at 60 MPH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AkgjPkCQXc

This was apparently caused by a steering malfunction at the engine...I always do a quick visual of my engine hydraulics before every launch and started using a non inflatable life jacket again (old style) several years ago when I had one of the newer style that did not totally inflate properly....
I was actually thrown from my bass boat during a tourney at Lake Texoma way back in 1967 and was also lucky to have survived...water temperature was 50 degrees and no extra clothes...to this day, I always carry a large towel and extra clothes in any boat I'm in, especially during colder weather...
Things happen fast at 60-70 MPH on the water...and the main thing that saved these two was their functioning engine kill switch...be sure and use yours and if you do not have one, they are easy and cheap to install...A "fully functioning engine kill switch and proper sized life jacket are an absolute necessity any time you are on the water...

I posted this a few days ago and the post was taken down. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong so I don't make the same mistake again?

PM Sent

Probably because it's been posted about 15 times since it happened?

Fouz, no that one resulted with a compulsive Troll getting banned and the whole thread was evidently deleted. check the WOS.

Poor Jack... So misunderstood.

What a shame..........

Good post, Enjoying a sport is nice, safety comes first for all, IMHO.

I've seen this several times now and still I say thank God they are ok.

I have looked over my hydraulic steering assebly several times since reading this and still don't know what lock nut could have come off?

I see if there was a loss of pressure in the system that would cause the motor to flop around, but it just looks like bad timing on the wake exit and a nose hook.

If it is/was a lock nut I'd appreciate some direction as to which one and where so I can check mine every time.

Thanks, and once again glad they made it back to the boat alright.

FWIW, I talked to someone who was 2 boats behind them (who did stop, they just aren't on video) who said the steering was broken.
I'm gonna go with this guy because he was there.

You are correct, the kid did nothing wrong. In a previous thread it was confirmed that a nut/bolt came off the hydraulic steering. Both kids were wearing inflatables and the kill switch lanyard was attached that killed the engine. It was just an unfortunate accident and we're all thankful neither was seriously injured. Appears angels were with them.

Works for me, still like I said I would like to know what failed so I can be conscious of that particular area in the future.

Must have been the main pivot bolt between the cylinders...?

I don't know but I think all we can do is check what we know to check and then hope it all works out.

scary for sure to actually see how fast it happened . A couple of years ago , on a website based out of California , a guy posted his same scenario , he had his boat go through a service check up , took it out on Lake Berryessa , water like glass , 70MPH when his hydraulic's disconnected (bolt came undone ). The boat immediately went sideways and launched him , he crashed through the dash , breaking his ribs , before hitting the water and skipping a few times , his inflatable PFD , partially came off (started to slip over his head ) , luckily he didn't lose consciousness . His kill switch worked , PFD inflated. He said due the the PFD almost coming off , he was positive if he has lost consciousness , he would have drowned ( due to the angle the PFD was at ) His post started a huge debate about the safety of the newer inflatables versus the old school types . The inflatable PFD manufacturers have no way to really test these units under a full speed scenario ( 60-75MPH) . Several Cali pro's and guides refuse to use the inflatable PFD's.