I broke the engine cover of the pontoon, which again should be in the junkyard.....it doesn't even run...and scratched the heck out of the front of my boat. But that doesn't compare to the biggest damage of all....my ego.
C'mon, stop that nonsense. Your ego is what's causing you to view the problem as the pontoon. It wouldn't have mattered if there was a perfectly fine sailboat, or even another Yamaha, it was simply an accident, and the type of boat or the condition of it had nothing to do with it. You're still able to use your boat, and like
@Julian said, you got your first scratch out of the way. You're luckier in that respect than I was - my salesman made my first scratch, which I've left, to this day.
You didn't ruin anything, except in your mind. All this will be is a story your wife will retell, years from now, and your kids will remember, while enjoying the other stories that are sure to follow in your boating life. Life's hard, put on a helmet, rub some dirt on it, and suck it up. Get back to looking for the positives in every situation, they're there if you look. The best learning almost necessarily comes from mistakes we made, and you've got another reminder to help you in the future if/when something like this happens.
Then, all the crap talking started. "That's what happens when you get a jet boat, no one can drive the d@mn things", "your first boat is a jet boat, probably not a good idea", "didn't take you long to figure out why people don't buy jet boats".
One of the very few things I have no patience or time for, are people like this. Many won't take my approach, and it doesn't sound like this'd be you either, but I'd be slinging back just as good as they were dishing out - "Thanks for asking, we're fine. Your concern for our injuries are noted", "Good thing we don't have video of all your mistakes, but I see you're married, so you have a recorder to remind you that you're not perfect either", "Somehow I managed to drive this damn thing well enough that we enjoyed our day, but you stick with what you're comfortable with, I'll keep enjoying mine with my family", "I don't recall seeing you in the showroom when you were selling me on a boat, but I'm sure you have useful advice that you're about to share, on turning this bad idea around", "Nah, what it quickly showed me is just how many people are happier to criticize, instead of offer to help, or chime in with anything constructive". I might wrap it up with the ever popular "maybe you could try pulling your bottom lip over your head and swallowing".
PLENTY of people on here wakeboard, ski, tube with their boats. Not ONE of them ever has had a flawless ride 100% of the time, yet they keep at it. That should show you that some of the best experiences can only be had with, and through, "failures". All those douche canoes who want to pretend they're perfection personified can pound sand.
I'm available for kid's parties, and for the dock trolls, try the veal, and don't forget to tip your waitress!