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Thread: Kids in bow...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    169

    Default Kids in bow...

    I saw the post in the facebook group about the accident in Australia. It sounded like there was a 5 year old riding in the bow and he went overboard. So tragic and I cant even imagine what that family is going through.

    It did get me wondering if this is a freak accident or should I change my own behavior to make sure this never happens to us. Our kids (5 and 7) love riding up front and so do all of their friends. Every kid on our boat knows that the rule is if you sit up front your bottom has to be touching the seat at all times, no bouncing, sitting up on your knees or horseplay. I have been know to yell in my most scary voice at any kid who violates this rule so for the most part they all follow it nicely. We have been doing this for a long time without any issues but it only takes once and I don't want to be complacent with the kids safety.

    Thoughts from any of you guys that have young kids on your boat on a regular basis?
    2015 Mojo with autoflow

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Posts
    4,920

    Default

    Thanks for sharing, no young kids in my boat, but if my kid was that young they would not be in the bow.

    Roughest ride and most relative movement is in the bow.




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    2021 Supra SA 400
    2018 Supra SA 400 (SOLD)
    Michigan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    south east michigan
    Posts
    308

    Default

    My grandkids( 4,6 and 7) like to ride in the bow while I tow my sons tubing or wakeboarding.Our lake can get crowded at times and this makes for alot of things to keep an eye on.There has been a few times that I have had to make them come inside the boat.Sometimes Im not the most popular grandpa but too bad.I feel im the safest grandpa.
    jy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    311

    Default

    The kids prefer to ride in the bow, but like you their seats have to be on the seat and they always wear their PFD's when the boat is moving without question. And i am fully aware of where they are, what they doing as the driver of my boat. Doing this, we have never been close to any incident.
    2019 Mondo

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Springfield Missouri
    Posts
    3,391

    Default

    I'm a member of the local dive rescue team and the drownings we have each year involving boats are adults usually under the influence of alcohol or drugs either falling out of or being thrown from a moving boat. We had one last year drown while attempting to retrieve his hat. Fortunately, kids have not been an issue mainly due to wearing the life jacket and responsible drivers. The main thing is to avoid sharp turns and have everyone seated while under power.

    The issue we see with kids are playing on the beach and in the water without a life jacket. IMO, anybody who does not have swimming skills whether a child or adult should have a life jacket on while in the water no matter the depth of the water as that can change quickly.
    1998 Mobius
    310 HP PCM
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    169

    Default

    Yeah same here on the life jackets. They are on at all times on the boat but it sounded like the kid in the accident had one on too.

    I have honestly never felt unsafe with them up there except for a couple of times when we got caught out in some really rough water. When that happens I just stop and make them move to the back.

    Really just looking for a sounding board of reasonable people to decide if we should be more cautious. The kids and their friends have grown up on/around boats so we are all very comfortable on the water and are generally responsible boaters but I just want to avoid the "it could never happen to me" attitude.
    2015 Mojo with autoflow

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    169

    Default

    Thanks zabooda for that perspective. I couldn't agree more on the life jackets. Kids never take them off and I am always the guy handing them out to all of the adults when we stop to swim. We have several drownings per year on our local lake and based on the news stories a lot of them are experienced swimmers who just jump in and dont come back up.
    2015 Mojo with autoflow

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

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    if you're driving the boat like an a$$hat, then expect people to fall out. if you are aware of the lake/rollers and drive a boat with some degree of caution, people bouncing out really shouldn't happen.
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Posts
    1,382

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    I definitely have caught kids in the bow doing a little bit too much leaning because obviously they are not aware of what could happen. Luckily it is in your line of sight when you’re driving so it’s pretty easy to catch. But definitely something to keep a close eye on.

    That being said, they absolutely love to ride up there and as long as it is done safely they are in hog heaven.


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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    169

    Default

    Yeah they definitely love it. They go straight there with all of their friends as soon as they get on the boat. Honestly on the very rare occasion I am not driving or behind the boat sitting up front is a pretty sweet ride on a smooth day.
    2015 Mojo with autoflow

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