Driving/sport activities

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I like to drive my boat standing up. I like the wind in my face. When doing watersports can one stand up while driving? I'm not sure if there is a rule/law that requires one to sit.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Driving/sport activities

Center console boats were designed to be operated standing, NV. So are some others.<br /><br />If your boat was designed to be operated while sitting, sit or get a different boat.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Driving/sport activities

Yeah, if your boat wasn't designed to be driven standing up, you shouldn't. I get thrown around pretty good in mine while I'm sitting. I like to stand up in the back while someone else is driving, but I've got a death grip on the ski pole...

 

[QC]

Re: Driving/sport activities

I stand while pulling tubers all the time. Gets me a better look at traffic etc. There are no rules that I know of that would prevent this, and I read this stuff. Just needs to be safe to operate from that position as the others have mentioned.

 

[KRS]

Re: Driving/sport activities

I think that a Game & Fish officer (that's who is in charge at our lakes) could interpret that you are operating the boat in an unsafe manner. You can't be "in control" unless you are in the driving position as designed by the manufacturer.

 

[Floating Carter]

Re: Driving/sport activities

I stand almost always, I have a better view over the bow and the lake we use has debris that likes to move around. I can also see other people in the water better to avoid them. <br />Lisa

 

[Solittle]

Re: Driving/sport activities

Many boats do not have enough forward visibility to be operated safely while sitting down no matter what the manufacturer says.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Driving/sport activities

Many boats do not have enough forward visibility to be operated safely while sitting down no matter what the manufacturer says.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Driving/sport activities

Woops!

 

[sergioy]

Re: Driving/sport activities

I operate my ski boat sitting on top of the back rest. This gives me a much better view of my surroundings. I have even seen some cushions for sale that are designed to go on top of the back rest of back-to-back seats (like mine). I see many people in our area do the same. I seriously doubt the game warden would have an issue with that, unless there where some glaring irregularities in the way you are operating your boat. I have even been stopped for inspections by the game warden while in this sitting position and he did not have anythign to say. Check your state regulations to see if there is anything there about this (doubtfull). Just make sure that you have good access to your boat controls while doing this.

 

[salty87]

Re: Driving/sport activities

i prefer to sit while i'm towing riders. i have to sit up sometimes to get the best view but i feel that is safest in my boat. my throwable cushion works great as a booster seat.<br /><br />i get a little nervous seeing operators sit on the seat back. i've seen a couple nearly fall overboard when they were caught off guard by rollers. also, when standing, you can't look in your mirror to see your rider so you have to turn around to look. i prefer to look in my mirror, can tell where the rider is all the time.<br /><br />do people that stand or sit on the seat back have kill switches?

 

[lorax]

Re: Driving/sport activities

The optics of my windshield aren't great. It has a very steep incline and a lot of reflection from the interior of the boat. <br />I feel like I'm safer standing.

 

[KCSteve]

Re: Driving/sport activities

You need to check your state regulation regarding this. In some states the driver must be seated when exceeding no wake speed unless the boat is designed to be driven while standing.

 

[KCSteve]

Re: Driving/sport activities

There is a long post on Boatingabc which goes into this issue in detail. ( do a search ). It seems this usually falls under reckless or careless operation and the law is very vague Water surge, it seems alot of people get stopped in Texas for this and OK has some silly law regarding boat size and standing. Check it out