Bow Riding, Dangerous and Illegal

Any idea what Bow Riding is? If you're a boater, a boating safety lawman, or a lawyer, you might know. Or, you might not.

I'vve been boating almost my whole life. And, so far, that's a long time. There were a LOT of things we did when I was a kid that are considered unsafe and illegal these days. In cars, there were no seat belts. We even rode in that back area behind the back seat, lying down, and thought it was pretty cool. The back bed of a pickup truck was not a problem, either. And, on some of the older cars, those made before my time but  still around back then, we stood on the running boards (look it up). Firefighters did, too.

Of course, that's not safe anymore. Truth be known, it wasn't safe back then, either.

Bow riding. On boats. The bow, that pointy-end of a boat. At least, that's how many of us boaters describe the forward section to non-boaters. (Of course, even we get confused when you throw a canoe into the picture).

Bow riding is illegal. Sort of. In typical style, some rule-making body, somewhere, wrote it pretty much that way. Then, as is all too often the case, it was left up to individual law enforcement officers to interpret it and write tickets for violating it. For the life of me, with all the help from Google, I cannot find a definitive definition. Lots of opinions. Boaters'message boards are loaded with opinions. News articles say the Coast Guard is cracking down on boaters who violate it. But, just exactly what  is it? Of course, for the water-cops, if all else fails, they can write you for unsafe boating.

Is this bow riding? These folks are certainly at the pointy end.

Cute. And, no doubt, a lot of fun.

Without a doubt, she's bow riding, by any definition. Or, maybe not. Her legs are outside the boat. She's definitely on the bow. It's dangerous. But, there are those who say this is ok when running at slow speeds. 

Here's the danger, law or no law. Even if you are doing what you 're suppose to be doing, all it takes is for some jerk, who is running a bit too fast, to generate a little wake (that's the waves caused by boats passing through water) and send this lass off the bow into the drink. Life jacket or not, she's gonna get hurt. Or worse. At the end opposite the pointy thing, there's a big gasoline powered motor turning a sharp three or four bladed propeller at 1000 or more RPM's that can make mincemeat out of a human. Even if one survives, one will never be the same.

Bad, bad plan. Even if the bow rail keeps him from ending up in the drink, a chance encounter with a dock, another boat, or a piling could change his name to Chester (for goodness sakes, check out the characters on the old TV show, Gunsmoke).

What part of this even looks a little bit safe? Meeting a piling, a floating log, or one of those wakes will send this trio into the drink.

This is where the law is sticky. Is this safe? Is it illegal? There are bow rails. There's obviously turbulence, i.e. wake from another boat. Is the front of this boat designed for seating? That is the ultimate question Coasties (Coast Guardsmen) will decide as they're breaking out the citation books.

Bow riding? You bet. Safe? Should not be a problem. Unless the dog bites. Both are INSIDE the boat. In a boat with a forward seat, designed for riders.

Lucky dude, you might think to yourself. Not one, but two bikini chicks on his bow.

Here's what I see. More than a slow idle speed. Note the wake he's generating. Boat is about 18 feet long. Just imagine the wake generated by a 30 or 40 footer running the same speed. One big bump and you have two young girls in the water. That prop of that 100-plus horsepower meat grinder on the stern will no doubt hit one or both girls.

The Emergency Room will be busy. 

As will their lawyers.

This lucky dude will then kiss his cool boat goodbye. Along with everything else he'll ever earn.

The girls? Scarred for life.

If they survive.