Boating rules

searay220 · 06-16-2009, 05:22 PM

I keep seeing it over and over the cabin cruisers speeding along with kids riding up on the bow while holding the rail. What could be more dangerous? The boat I saw doing this on Sat was coming down Alton Bay just before the Sandy Point marker flying along. I thought for sure he was going to get pulled over by the Marine patrol that was sitting quietly in the shadows across from that marker. Not a thing was done he let him go right by. I've seen this a few times but I can't understand why. Am I wrong? This is what I have read that's illegal:

Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a power-driven vessel in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard while underway. This includes passengers straddling the bow or riding on the gunwales or transom.

Seadoo · 06-16-2009, 05:26 PM

actually i have always wondered the same thing. we actually were going through the weirs a couple years ago and asked a MP. He said it is 100% legal as long as no body parts were hanging over the edge.

tis · 06-16-2009, 05:35 PM

We were actually stopped many years ago for someone sitting up front with their legs hanging over the edge. It is ok to sit up there but as Seadoo said no body parts can be hanging over. Luckily, we got a warning but no ticket.

OCDACTIVE · 06-17-2009, 06:38 AM

Yes you are allowed to ride on the bow (even if it is not a bow rider) as long as you are inside the rails. I did it as a kid growing up and there was no problems. As long as the driver is careful. But I always had to wear a life jacket as well per captains rules.

SIKSUKR · 06-17-2009, 07:31 AM

OCD is right.I do believe you can only sit on the bow IF it has railings.Sitting on the gunwales and transom is also not allowed above headway speed.

upthesaukee · 06-17-2009, 04:29 PM

Would seem to say you can't do any of that if the boat is moving.

Here is the link:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...-D/270-D-7.htm

Looks like you can't do it at all.

OCDACTIVE · 06-17-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Would seem to say you can't do any of that if the boat is moving.

Here is the link:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...-D/270-D-7.htm

Looks like you can't do it at all.

That says "straddle the bow" meaning have legs on either side. You can ride on the bow of a boat (non-bowrider) as long as you are inside the safety bars. Not the 1 inch tall ones for looks, the 8 - 12 inch tall rails that go around the entire boats bow. Here is a prime example of one that it is legal to ride on.

searay220 · 06-17-2009, 06:55 PM

It seems to me legal or not it is probably one of the most dangerous things I see out on the lake. One little wave just right and guess what happens and where they end up. Not a pleasant thought.

zantheman · 07-07-2009, 10:00 AM

Greetings to all of you Winnipesaukee people. Winni is so beautiful and my favorite summer playground and I'm extremely jealous of all of you have gotten to make it your home. I am from a little distant cousin, Lake Hopatcong in Northern NJ. Even though it's smaller it has many similar characteristics and issues as those posted here about Winni.

Sunday, I saw one that stunned me. In a no wake zone approaching Brady Bridge (similar to the entrance to Pagus Bay from Wiers) 2 bikini clad women standing in the bow of a moving bow rider posing for pictures. They weren't only down on the floor either but up on the seats and rails as well. It is probably the stupidest move I have ever seen. Not only is this a high traffic area but like Winni our water level is pretty high and I was surprised they weren't almost decapitated going under the bridge. My bimini top is only clearing the bridge by 2-3 inches right now.

Hope the weather gets better for all of you up there. Going to try to make it up in August. Happy boating.

Alex
Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Happy Gourmand · 07-07-2009, 01:44 PM

Can you post the pictures, please?

06-16-2009, 05:22 PM	#1
searay220 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Reading Ma/ Alton NH Posts: 81 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Boating rules I keep seeing it over and over the cabin cruisers speeding along with kids riding up on the bow while holding the rail. What could be more dangerous? The boat I saw doing this on Sat was coming down Alton Bay just before the Sandy Point marker flying along. I thought for sure he was going to get pulled over by the Marine patrol that was sitting quietly in the shadows across from that marker. Not a thing was done he let him go right by. I've seen this a few times but I can't understand why. Am I wrong? This is what I have read that's illegal: Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a power-driven vessel in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard while underway. This includes passengers straddling the bow or riding on the gunwales or transom.

06-17-2009, 06:38 AM	#4
OCDACTIVE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Myers FL / Moultonboro Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 444 Thanked 574 Times in 178 Posts	Yes you are allowed to ride on the bow (even if it is not a bow rider) as long as you are inside the rails. I did it as a kid growing up and there was no problems. As long as the driver is careful. But I always had to wear a life jacket as well per captains rules. __________________ Have you had your Vessel Inspected Yet?

06-17-2009, 07:31 AM	#5
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	OCD is right.I do believe you can only sit on the bow IF it has railings.Sitting on the gunwales and transom is also not allowed above headway speed. __________________ SIKSUKR

06-17-2009, 04:29 PM	#6
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,597 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,457 Thanked 1,979 Times in 1,080 Posts	Rsa 270-d: 7 Would seem to say you can't do any of that if the boat is moving. Here is the link: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...-D/270-D-7.htm Looks like you can't do it at all. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

07-07-2009, 10:00 AM	#9
zantheman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Had to relay this one Greetings to all of you Winnipesaukee people. Winni is so beautiful and my favorite summer playground and I'm extremely jealous of all of you have gotten to make it your home. I am from a little distant cousin, Lake Hopatcong in Northern NJ. Even though it's smaller it has many similar characteristics and issues as those posted here about Winni. Sunday, I saw one that stunned me. In a no wake zone approaching Brady Bridge (similar to the entrance to Pagus Bay from Wiers) 2 bikini clad women standing in the bow of a moving bow rider posing for pictures. They weren't only down on the floor either but up on the seats and rails as well. It is probably the stupidest move I have ever seen. Not only is this a high traffic area but like Winni our water level is pretty high and I was surprised they weren't almost decapitated going under the bridge. My bimini top is only clearing the bridge by 2-3 inches right now. Hope the weather gets better for all of you up there. Going to try to make it up in August. Happy boating. Alex Lake Hopatcong, NJ

06-16-2009, 05:26 PM	#2
Seadoo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 67 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	actually i have always wondered the same thing. we actually were going through the weirs a couple years ago and asked a MP. He said it is 100% legal as long as no body parts were hanging over the edge.

06-16-2009, 05:35 PM	#3
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,722 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	We were actually stopped many years ago for someone sitting up front with their legs hanging over the edge. It is ok to sit up there but as Seadoo said no body parts can be hanging over. Luckily, we got a warning but no ticket.

06-17-2009, 06:55 PM	#8
searay220 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Reading Ma/ Alton NH Posts: 81 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	It seems to me legal or not it is probably one of the most dangerous things I see out on the lake. One little wave just right and guess what happens and where they end up. Not a pleasant thought.

07-07-2009, 01:44 PM	#10
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	Zantheman Can you post the pictures, please?