Ridin on the bow

Zebra · #1 05-28-2006, 09:09 AM

We've been takin the v20 out on wed after work to cruise up the river and just burn gas from about 530 till dark. And my wife likes to get up front and ride with her back to the windshield. the railing is there for her and she feels fine but i know from all my days of boating that there is no ridin on the bow. I've not been stop yet not sure what the fine is. I know its not safe hit something like a tree floatin just under waterline or a slow manatee or gator there everywhere. Maybe i should have looked for one of those dual consoles or maybe. Cant believe i'm sayin this... something like a GW 20ft overnighter walkaround. Saw one on the river think it was a 22ft gradywhite with a solid transom nice boat... And it had people sittin up front ridin up the river up on plane. Well got a T at 830a going to be in the 90's by 10am goin to sweat my *** off. Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day and remember why we celebrate the day.

chesapeake724 · #2 05-28-2006, 01:54 PM

I'm kinda suprised no one has cut the foredeck off and turned a cuddy into a bowrider, especially with some of the fiberglassing talent I've seen in some of the project boats. My SeaCraft just has a little "tub" with a molded in seat that's perfect for one or two adults or three kids to sit in with reasonable safety. It's shallow enough that there's space under it that's accessible under the helm to shove gear. The dual console V20 is practical, but I don't like the (windshield) lines because the helm is back further. A cuddy to bowrider conversion would retain the lines, but still give the extra fishing/seating room. When I come back to the V20 ranks I'll convert a V21 to a bowrider. I might have to pay someone to do it, but that's what I'd like. ;)

Hammerhead · #3 05-28-2006, 03:18 PM

I agree. Memorial Day has always be observed as a day to remember and Thank those who gave their lives in my Family and there's No better way to do that than enjoy it.
Riding on the bow or even infront of a center console can get nasty as well if something jumps out of the water. We've all seen the flyin'fish and such hop and skip but, a boy was killed in Miami at Govt. Cut when a 100lb Tarpon landed in his lap and crushed him. I've also seen sharks and manatee both completly breach the water. I dunno what the legal aspect of bowriding is but, I won't let anyone do it on my boat. Take Care everybody. :)

macojoe · #4 05-28-2006, 03:45 PM

I use to let the kids do it all the time! But then I got caught by the Harbore master and he wasn't happy!!

Hmm..............Convert my Cuddy to a bow rider??? ::)

reelapeelin · #5 05-28-2006, 04:42 PM

My kids have ridden the bow forever...it's one of their favorite things...when they're up there I take EXTRA precaution and slow down...thankfully no problems...

ebol5 · #6 05-29-2006, 10:10 AM

Same here, My wife and kids have been riding on the bow forever when we are trolling. sometimes up on plane as well but then nothing crazy, always watching and not flying or in rough water. I did get stopped once in the intracoastal waterway in Lake Worth while we were cruising home, just up on plane, not too fast. He said that riding on the bow was not illegal, but my 20 year old daughter had her feet under the bow rail and hanging over the front which was not allowed. He did not site me.

A shame about the kid in Miami, what a fluke,

steplift20 · #7 05-29-2006, 10:13 AM

you know anything that is fun they tell us YOU CANT DO THAT thats gotta be the best place to sit and enjoy the ride its also very safe
you have the rail to hold on to the hatch is open so they can step down off of it we as well craft owners all over the world we sould designate a special day and call it national bow riding day and when the harbor police stop up we would pull out our papers and show them that its ok
I say lets start it 8/8/2006[hey why knot] because we all know that we would all love to ride the bow of a wellcraft, dont we i know i do it all the time its fun and comfortable LETS RIDE

Blue_Runner · #8 05-30-2006, 01:28 PM

The sliding hatch on the V-21 slides forward several inches further than the V-20. I let my wife and kids sit up there while planing around 20 mph as long as they leave there legs dangling in the cuddy. If they must get completely up there then I won't plane the boat.

I'm with RAP - be careful doing this!