Why riding on the bow is a bad idea!

[Julian]

This video shows why riding on the gunnell on the bow is a BAD idea (especially with a prop boat)

https://www.facebook.com/100322297989147/posts/411587940195913

 

[drewkaree]

 

[Dean P]

Appears the outboard hit the boarder rope floating on top of the water. Kids not paying attention. Damn they're lucky he didn't get hurt. Cringe watching this...

 

[HangOutdoors]

How that kid didn't get chopped up is amazing.

 

[sunbyrned]

What an idiot!

 

[HangOutdoors]

My theory is that these people just help thinning the herd. Today, on a road with about 1 inch of snow or less I watched a teenager get pulled at about 35 miles per hour on a sled sitting behind a car. Mind you through a busy city

 

[Dean P]

How that kid didn't get chopped up is amazing.

What helped was the motor kicked up and when he fell the boat pushed him over. Someone was looking out for him. Should've played the lottery!

 

[PeterB]

When I was in the Coast Guard we used to stop people for bow riding - some thanked us for explaining the danger - some cussed us out - ( which we heard as “ give me a ticket”)
But the one I’ll never forget was recovering a young boy who wasn’t so lucky- he slipped under the bow rail while sitting with his legs over the bow. I still remember it almost 40 years later - and I’m sure those parents have never forgiven themselves. Not worth the risk!

 

[sunbyrned]

When I was in the Coast Guard we used to stop people for bow riding - some thanked us for explaining the danger - some cussed us out - ( which we heard as “ give me a ticket”)
But the one I’ll never forget was recovering a young boy who wasn’t so lucky- he slipped under the bow rail while sitting with his legs over the bow. I still remember it almost 40 years later - and I’m sure those parents have never forgiven themselves. Not worth the risk!

There is no emoji for this circumstance. So sorry to hear this and it is obvious by your post that first responders live with this their entire lives. Thanks for all you've been through and the lives you've saved over the years.

 

[haknslash]

I cringe the same when I see people let their dogs stand right up there leaning over the bow or standing on the stern of the boat. Doesn't matter the propulsion. It's just a stupid idea all around IMO. Don't think it's not equally as dangerous if you have a jet because people add fins and you have the also have the rudder/keel that could slice someone's head open if you struck them with it. I also wonder if there is the possibility to suck longer haired people or clothing into the intake grate if you ran over it. Point is just don't do it as it's not safe and you never know if you strike something hidden underneath and off goes your passengers or pets.

 

[Betik]

My theory is that these people just help thinning the herd. Today, on a road with about 1 inch of snow or less I watched a teenager get pulled at about 35 miles per hour on a sled sitting behind a car. Mind you through a busy city

unfortunately not fast enough

 

[Betik]

I think the lifejackets must have helped.

 

[drewkaree]

Don't think it's not equally as dangerous if you have a jet... I also wonder if there is the possibility to suck longer haired people or clothing into the intake grate if you ran over it.

When showing this video to the wife, I brought up this exact thing. The common refrain from folks around here when they sucked in a tow rope - it happened in a split-second, I had no time to react! It skeeves me out just imagining having to cut any of...."that"....free of the impeller....loose strap from a life jacket, etc.

 

[haknslash]

When we had the Yamaha we treated it the same as if it had a prop. I told my wife and daughter to never swim near the rear of the boat especially if the engine was on. Sure there is no prop to chop up their feet and body but there is definitely a strong vacuum under the rear of the boat and other objects that could strike their head or body with. I don’t think a kid or even an adult would easily be able to free themselves if their long hair got sucked into the intake grate and wrapped on the shaft. It would be do tight and scary situation. I know a lot of people like to think these are safer machines and they are to a degree but they are still dangerous and IMO it’s just best practice to teach kids and adults to treat all boats the same and act like you could get hurt and to stay clear of any boat with it’s engine turned on and to always sit inside the boat in a safe manner. That way no matter the boat they're around they won’t let down their guard and will respect the dangers.

 

[anmut]

I had an experience this past summer with the jet suction. My nephew (20 years old) jumped in off the transom with a wakeboard on. It was one of his first times doing it, so it was like a slow fall backwards. I was in the back ready to coach and my wife was driving. As he's going in the water, the wind kicks the boat around just a little bit to put him in the starboard corner of the transom. The board was underwater and at that moment my wife starts the boat. Suddenly I can see the board being drawn under the boat and him with it. His head dipped underwater, I tell the wife to cut the engines, and as soon as she does, he pops up again.

That was freaky enough that we make sure any riders have the board semi out of the water and behind the boat enough before starting.

 

[buckbuck]

That's a scary one @anmut
We have been boarding behind ours for 12 years and never had something like that happen. I am going to tell my kids your story to make a point.

 

[HangOutdoors]

All the girls on my boat, except the admiral, and their friends have super long hair. It has crossed my mind more than once, what if their hair gets sucked up in the grates. Not sure if that has ever happened, but once I though of it, I put some 10" fast cut shears in my boat bag with my knives and also i have multiple sets of goggles in case I need to get under there and cut someone's hair quickly. I keep the goggles, long snorkel and mask, scissors, hook knife and straight knife in a go bag which is right next to drivers seat hanging, it also has a few other things and the bag floats. I figure if something happens fast, I would have no time to go fishing through one of the storage areas for this bag. Not sure how it would all work out but, it would give me a quick chance to do something.

Mind you the engines are never running when any one is near the back off the boat.

 

[John McLaughlin]

Stupid is as stupid

 

[PeterB]

Even with a jet boat we always shut down engines when swimmers are near the boat and when picking up skiers etc. To me it’s just good practice

 

[HangOutdoors]

I was looking at the video again, I can't clearly make out the buoy's. Are those no wake and swimming buoy's he is cutting right through?