Something to consider if you operate or ride in a bow rider

[H20Rat]

Re: Something to consider if you operate or ride in a bow rider

I can easily believe the bow got buried and scooped water. I see people do this intentionally in jet boats by putting the boat into reverse while at speed. You can see an example of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZvVn7eFZrc
Hitting that log put the brakes on in the same way.

I've done a fair bit of hitting the brakes in my jetboat also, great way to cool off! Scares the crap out of people when I do it, but the boat itself is unsinkable. (interior is sealed from the hull, and there are multiple bilge pumps that are dedicated just to the cockpit area.)

 

[shrew]

Re: Something to consider if you operate or ride in a bow rider

I'm glad all involved are OK. Hitting something submerged is not rare. A poorly marked shoal or someone not paying attention to their surroundings, charts or markers.......that happens all the time. Hitting a piece of submerged flotsom or jetsom is much more uncommon, but still it happens. I hit something submerged in over 100 ft. of water last year and never saw it. It made one HECK of a bang though and blew the lower on my B3 outdrive. These things happen. Unfortunately, hitting a submerged (unseen) piece of flotsam or jetsam has the same probability regardless of the level of experience of the boater.

However, THAT is the safety concern and one that we accept as boaters even if we have no cotrol over it. In this case, regardless of whether the boat is a bow rider or not, as well as where people are seated seem to have little bearing in my mind. A child in the bow being thrown clear may possibly fare better than a child sitting in the passenger seat slamming their face into the windshield frame.

This hazzard is not exlusive to any single type of boat, seating location, or operator experience. It is simply an unfortunate accident.

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Something to consider if you operate or ride in a bow rider

I bet he hit one end of the plank and the other end buried into the bottom, causing the sudden stop (and they often float with one end dragging bottom). But I agree it's a million to one shot. Considering the shape of the hull and the water deflecting both ways, it's highly unusual for floating stuff to hit the center of the transom and then the motor.

Normally, I would think the same thing.. however, he was in about 25-28ft of water, and like I said, both ends of the board were extremely weathered so you could tell it wasn't, say a 12' board that busted when he hit it... I still run the scenario through my head and try to figure out, like you said, how in the heck it hit where it did due to water deflection.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Something to consider if you operate or ride in a bow rider

This hazzard is not exlusive to any single type of boat, seating location, or operator experience. It is simply an unfortunate accident.

I agree; I'm not fan of bowriders but I don't think that matters. But think about the morons who let the children ride with their legs dangling over the bow (illegal in most places). That's one I'm likely to chase down and educate.

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Something to consider if you operate or ride in a bow rider

I do 100% agree with you shrew on this could have happened on any type boat. My concern was if someone was sitting up front being ejected. I also own a bowrider so not meaning their a dangerous style.