Allow people to ride on the forward deck while underway?
- Thread starter Dave S
- Start date
Dave, like me, you also boat in SC; it's illegal here. Back when I first bought "Offroad Dancer" and it didn't have much power (because it had never been tuned since new) I usually had to ask a couple of people to temporarily ride up front to help it plane off when I was loaded. One time two of them just crawled up on top of the bow (instead of going forward into the v-berth undersides) and I was promptly pulled over by the DNR (on Lake Keowee). I was informed that bowriding on top of a closed bow was only legal at no-wake speeds. Makes sense to me from a safety standpoint and sounds like a good rule to follow whether legal or not. It's now a strict rule on our boat and looking back I should have been more firm with my two "helpers" on that one occasion and reeled them in.... 20/20 hindsight that won't be repeated.
I think bowriders are different than our Sundancers -after all, they are designed to have people up there- so IMO that's a different story and different rules.
However, as far as the comments that it should never be allowed even at the dock below no-wake speeds, I'm not sure I've figured out how to tie on to the dock while deploying fenders without having a human being up front to help with that.... I allow some help in that area at that point in time. :smt001
I think bowriders are different than our Sundancers -after all, they are designed to have people up there- so IMO that's a different story and different rules.
However, as far as the comments that it should never be allowed even at the dock below no-wake speeds, I'm not sure I've figured out how to tie on to the dock while deploying fenders without having a human being up front to help with that.... I allow some help in that area at that point in time. :smt001
Hey Gerald,
What about Durangos on the front? :lol: :smt043 :lol:
Does it have a Hemi :lol: :smt043 :lol:
What about Durangos on the front? :lol: :smt043 :lol:
Does it have a Hemi :lol: :smt043 :lol:
Busted LOL! But he is a dog not a person; not quite the same thing...
Hey, you missed his swimming performance Sat nite at the anchorage..... he jumped off to "go potty" onshore and then swam back to us upstream against a huge tidal current that all of us thought for sure was absolutely impossible. We all had quite a discussion regarding the unbelievable feat he accomplished in successfully swimming to us. I thought for sure I'd have to cut lines from the raftup and drift downstream to find him but he motored right up to our sterns against an incredible current to get back to us on his own.
He proved that can pretty much take care of himself in water without my help :thumbsup: so I guess that's just as impressive as a Hemi would be :wink:
I don't know if all that counts as a hijack..... but nevermind :smt001
Hey, you missed his swimming performance Sat nite at the anchorage..... he jumped off to "go potty" onshore and then swam back to us upstream against a huge tidal current that all of us thought for sure was absolutely impossible. We all had quite a discussion regarding the unbelievable feat he accomplished in successfully swimming to us. I thought for sure I'd have to cut lines from the raftup and drift downstream to find him but he motored right up to our sterns against an incredible current to get back to us on his own.
He proved that can pretty much take care of himself in water without my help :thumbsup: so I guess that's just as impressive as a Hemi would be :wink:
I don't know if all that counts as a hijack..... but nevermind :smt001
eddiezuskin
New Member
It is grounds for a ticket here in maryland($80-200 on average). I only allow it at no wake speed on our trip down the creek and the kids(12 &13 now) always had to wear life jackets. They would climb back in the hatch before the creek opened out to the river. Kind of a fun way to cool off after prepping the boat for a trip on a hot day.
Too many jerks in go fasts and big cruisers throwing big wakes in crowded areas to chance it anywhere at planing speed.
Eddie
Too many jerks in go fasts and big cruisers throwing big wakes in crowded areas to chance it anywhere at planing speed.
Eddie
Most foredecks are not even close to flat these days. A kid (of any age) could slip right off without the driver even knowing it. As they tried to hold on they would slide right down the side and into the boat's wake - even at 1000 rpm.
The fast boats could also come by and cause a wake - even when and where they shouldn't. And it certainly limits your options regarding taking defensive actions.
And, when the kids get to be 16 or so they will begin wanting to go boating alone - just the way they've been taught.
Separately, regarding the docking issue, and I don't have access to bow lines on my 26 ft boat either. But if you can get a single line on and keep the boat in gear, just at idle, it will strain against that one line and keep your boat agains the dock in many situations.
The fast boats could also come by and cause a wake - even when and where they shouldn't. And it certainly limits your options regarding taking defensive actions.
And, when the kids get to be 16 or so they will begin wanting to go boating alone - just the way they've been taught.
Separately, regarding the docking issue, and I don't have access to bow lines on my 26 ft boat either. But if you can get a single line on and keep the boat in gear, just at idle, it will strain against that one line and keep your boat agains the dock in many situations.
Dancin Dave
Active Member
Gerald, thanks for the info. I think I will limit the forward deck riding. I agree it is too risky.
ImpulseIII
Active Member
Only time anyone goes forward on ImpulseIII is to set an anchor or while we are pulling into the slip. Way too dangerous to take a chance with someone geting hurt.
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,985
- Boat Info
- 2004 - 220 Sundeck
- Engines
- 5.0L w/Bravo 3 Drive
Dave, not as controversial as you thought. Looks like we have 100% common sense in this thread. :thumbsup:
