Kids riding on the bow

[traderdavel]

I have a cruiser type boat with a sunpad, there are rails on either side of the sunpad. When in a no-wake zone, (and only in a no-wake zone), my 6 yr old son asks if he can sit atop the bow. Have let him some times, and other times have said no. He has a life jacket on, and sits in the center holding the rails. I'm just interested if there is any regulation against this, (live in NY), or what other boaters thought about this.
It is such a thrill for him that I would like to let him do this, but don't want to run against some regulation that I am unaware of.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

in FL it is illegal. say a family get ticketed 4th of july.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

Legal or not, I woudn't let a 6-year-old sit on the bow, even if it has a flat pad and rails. Heck, I wouldn't sit there myself, even at no-wake. Kids that age are antsy, and prone to do things on the spur of the moment. Over the side and under the boat isn't safe, ever.

Just my opinion, but I think kids belong on seats inside the boat whenever it's moving, whatever the speed.

 

[awides]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

Illegal here in Ohio too. Wouldn't let a child (let alone my own son) do it.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

Never. And that's just from the safety aspect of it. Regardless of state law, the federal catch all "negligent operation" applies and you can be cited for this.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

totally against the law.and so unsafe its a no brainer.

 

[guy74]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I let my kids ride up front in the bow seats of our boat all the time, but would never allow anyone to ride up on the bow pad of a boat like you're talking about. I just don't think it's a good idea.

 

[traderdavel]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I promise - Never again-

thanks,

 

[Euro95]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I don't know what you guys do when you are not going full throttle, but in the 5 to 10 mph range it ain't a biggy to sit on the bow on calm water. Just live with it you can't play around with the throttle while they are there.

 

[traderdavel]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I don't know what you guys do when you are not going full throttle, but in the 5 to 10 mph range it ain't a biggy to sit on the bow on calm water. Just live with it you can't play around with the throttle while they are there.

After the responses I got - I will not do it again - but just wanted to confirm that he was only allowed in a no wake zone.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

In IL you can not be on the bow while underway at any speed, but they will let it go when docking. According to the local PD, it is illegal to do while docking.

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

Knew a guy in high school who was sitting on the bow and got bumped off. I don't know how he even made it to the hospital, the doctors stopped counting after 300 stitches and they weren't even halfway done. The prop did a number on one of his legs, stomach and chest area, luckily the prop just missed his head.

No drinking or drugs involved, out in nice weather, just lost his balance a little bit when they hit a little chop and off he went.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I don;t know the laws specifically but thought that if it had a pad and had rails you are legal. However, I don't think I'd let a 6 year old ride up there. Just too easy for someone to fall off and end up in the prop.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

The Captains rule on my boat is..........
When the vessel is underway, all passenger's ride IN the boat not ON the boat.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I don't know what you guys do when you are not going full throttle, but in the 5 to 10 mph range it ain't a biggy to sit on the bow on calm water. Just live with it you can't play around with the throttle while they are there.

At ten statute mph, your boat will travel nearly 15 feet in one second. At ten knots, it will travel nearly 17 feet. If someone did fall overboard and ended up under the boat, the motor would most likely hit them before you could possibly react. Still think this is a good plan?

As for the six year old, my rule is that a child that age has to be within an easy reach of an adult who is specifically supervising them at all times, even when tied to the dock.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

I knew a co worker several years ago that went over the front at speed. She was in her 30's and knew better. It missed her head but sliced her leg from top to bottom. It was an hour drive to a hospital from the remote area they were in. She was off work for close to 6 months as I recall.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

In Canada the rules may be slightly different.
While fishing in Parry Sound a few hundred miles north of Toronto just this weekend.I could not help but noticing that almost every yacht with a closed bow had some young lady sitting or laying on it in some state of indecent exposure.

 

[woodee148]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

You Know, this is what is nice about this board..You can read all the different opinions and make your own decision from there. i would not have thought twice about letting my 11 and 6 yr old ride on a closed bow in a no wake zone (with railing s and a pad of course) and even half way thru the thread over the last couple of days I still felt the same way. however, now I am of a different opinion.
Good thread trader dave
Good point Jay

While on the topic... i have an open bow and my kids love nothing more than hitting a few waves while they hold on in front. They are requiered at all times to hold the rail and stay on there knees but they do bounce around quite a bit. I don't think it would ever be a problem but.....The last time we were out i hit one swell and was anticipating taking the next one a bit hard so i backed off at the last minute to soften...thats like slamming on the brakes with your little sister on the handlebars..(sorry, little flashback). Anyway.. you get the point. I am a little more cautious now

Woodee

 

[ErikF]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

All the boat's I've had have been closed bow. Anyone can sit on the bow when the boat is stopped and the motor isn't running. The only time anyone was on the bow when the boat was under way was when I was kneeling there to keep the boat from going under a high dock as I was loading up my brothers to go tubing.

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Kids riding on the bow

Just read through the thread and I agree with the majority here, except for one detail. The only time anyone is on the bow of my boat when the engine is running is when we are docking, OR when we are pulling anchor out in the lake. I don't have a power windlass, and sometimes the only way to get the anchor up is to have someone on the bow pulling rope as the boat drives toward the anchor. This is done at less than no wake speeds of course, usually bumping into and out of gear. The person on the bow is always an adult, and always an adult who is familiar with boating, no newbies pulling anchor duty.