Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

[RicMic]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think?

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think?

The problem with that is when stupid parents take out their innocent kids who aren't experienced enough to know any better. I guess something could be said for not carrying on the stupid gene, but still...

You are right! I used to keep my mouth shut(none of my business), when I saw stuff like this, now I will point out the stupidity, the parents won't learn, but maybe it will make the kids think!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think?

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think?

This is what I saw Saturday, out in the marsh:

a 17' center console, running at top speed. The girlfriend was sitting on the bow deck. The boyfriend was driving: sitting on a crate in front of the windshield, as high as the top of the windshield, reaching around behind him to the steering wheel--the same position as tiller steering. The other hand could not have reached the throttle without him turning all the way around.
Considering where I was, I seriously doubt this guy was new to boating. Instead, I have reason to believe he grew up boating and was comfortable doing stunts like this.

 

[Chonk]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

Unfortunately, yet another death from bow riding.
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/nw_mich/8-year-old-killed-by-boats-propeller

It's amazing how many boating related accidents I'm now aware of being a new boat owner myself.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

Chonk, your comment explains a lot of the accidents: those unfamiliar with boating often have no way of knowing, or expecting, some of the dangers. Many dangers are obvious to the experienced, and become obvious once pointed out to the inexperienced. So not everyone involved in an accident was either careless or intentionally reckless.
For example, I've been around outboards over 50 years and just learned here, a couple of weeks ago, about the danger of an OB exploding from a "run-away" if it's over-revved in neutral. before that, if I had blown myself up working on the motor, I would not have considered myself stupid, but some of the mechanics would have. Or for another example, I have had no reason to know about running a blower before starting an inboard, even though I am a way more experienced boater than many who operate them.
Bottom line, boating is way more complicated than it looks.

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

Only time someone gets on the bow of my boat is if im nosing up to the dock of a packed ramp so they can go get my truck

 

[RicMic]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

People try to explain away stupidity all the time, with"I didn't know, nobody told me". Or in other words, its everybody in the worlds fault EXCEPT mine, because they didn't tell me not to do stupid stuff. If you buy a new extension cord now, it comes with three or MORE warning tags, buy a new 4X4 and its got warning stickers all over the sunvisors, buy a new boat and its got warning stickers EVERYWHERE. The warning sticker have various ways of saying, DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID. Of course there are people now that make a living by doing stupid things and selling the video.

 

[Chonk]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

People try to explain away stupidity all the time, with"I didn't know, nobody told me". Or in other words, its everybody in the worlds fault EXCEPT mine, because they didn't tell me not to do stupid stuff. If you buy a new extension cord now, it comes with three or MORE warning tags, buy a new 4X4 and its got warning stickers all over the sunvisors, buy a new boat and its got warning stickers EVERYWHERE. The warning sticker have various ways of saying, DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID. Of course there are people now that make a living by doing stupid things and selling the video.

I agree for the most part, but a lot of first time boat buyers buy used, as I did, and the boats come with no manuals. I just learned from reading on here that I have a automotive alternator on by engine that could easily cause an explosion from the sparking. No stickers to warn me about that one. luckily I'm the type that tries to learn as much as I can before jumping into anything. But I woulda missed that one had I not read about it here.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

It's time to solve this problem once and for all.........ELECTRIFY THE BOW!!!

Then nobody would have to worry, what's next, a law that says don't eat with a fork on choppy water.

Just send out a letter to the relatives of the deceased that states "we regret to inform you that your (insert relation) was killed because they were extremely stupid"

 

[RicMic]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

I agree for the most part, but a lot of first time boat buyers buy used, as I did, and the boats come with no manuals. I just learned from reading on here that I have a automotive alternator on by engine that could easily cause an explosion from the sparking. No stickers to warn me about that one. luckily I'm the type that tries to learn as much as I can before jumping into anything. But I woulda missed that one had I not read about it here.

I am very sure that ANY manufacturer is very sure to send you any requested safety information/manuals.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

I agree for the most part, but a lot of first time boat buyers buy used, as I did, and the boats come with no manuals. I just learned from reading on here that I have a automotive alternator on by engine that could easily cause an explosion from the sparking. No stickers to warn me about that one. luckily I'm the type that tries to learn as much as I can before jumping into anything. But I woulda missed that one had I not read about it here.

Almost every [inboard powered] boat I've seen actually DOES have that warning, unless someone peeled it off at some point. (the one about running your blower for X minutes, yeah, thats why it is there!)

 

[dingbat]

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

What?s is the average, non-boating, ?stupid? person supposed to think when they hear it's stupid to ride on the bow manufacturers make bowrider boats?

They put seats out in the roughest, most vulnerable location on the boat in teh name of being fun. No seat belts either. Don't want to insult the ?intelligent, safety minded? people by suggesting the use of a seat belt in such a venerable location.

But hey, it makes a great place to catapult grandma or one of the kids out and under the boat. May add some excitement to the weekend.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Riding on the bow--don't these people think? NEWS UPDATE

It's not the seating area in the boat, whether bow rider, center console, dual console, that's unreasonably dangerous; it's the deck in front of it, often enclosed with a rail. There is little or nothing to catch a person from sliding forward at a sudden stop, bump or deceleration. You have such an area on your boat in front of the cuddy.
Every passenger in a boat is at risk of injury if there is a full stop from significant speed, such as by hitting a piling. it's a risk we take, unavoidable unless we wear seatbelts, which creates a greater, but different, risk.
The persons dangling from the bow are actually at less risk if the boat makes a full stop on the water; they get thrown clear and into water instead of through a windshield or down the length of the boat. Their danger comes from falling off and then being run over by the still-moving boat.
But I think you knew that.