Passengers Standing
 

I see a lot of photos from poker runs and the like where passengers are standing in the cockpit while the boat is underway. Is the legality of this determined by the amount of freeboard that a boat has? What amount of freeboard, if any, makes it ok to assume that your passengers will be safe standing?

I dont believe their are laws regarding this, but its a bad idea irregardless of freeboard imo. I didnt mind people standing in my boat when we were cruising at 40mph in a 40ft boat, but I see people standing in boats at 80mph in rough water. I dont know, maybe some people like broken ribs, stiches, getting ejected at 80mph may even be fun, I havent tried it so I cant knock it. :cool-smiley-011:

I am a "stander". My bolster seat is always in the down position when I am driving and if I am riding in a buddies boat I normally stand. I think it depends on the boat but if I am a 35+ V bottom I think it is easier to see what is coming at you if you are standing and holding the the grab handle than to wait until you feel it. Also, If you know a launch is coming I think you have less chance of getting ejected because you are braced and holding on. JMO

I think standing is fine if you are in a bolster, I think he meant standing around in the cockpit, like behind the driver and passenger.

I think at least when your standing you are holding on to something like the rail on the back of the seat or somewhere else, as when your sitting your not holding on.

I feel safer standing, because I'm holding on to something, and soaking up bumps w/legs. Formula has handles on the back of their bolsters, must be some reason to put them on.

I do stand in the middle of the two bolsters on a friends' boat sometimes, but not at 80+ only up to 50ish, and holding on to something with both hands.

Do you mean like this?:D

There is a safety exemption for all aerial pics taken during FPB poker runs, this includes standing, laying on pads, aand tatas akimbo!!!:D:evilb:

I too am a stander. As mentioned earlier, you can anticipate what's coming up, absorb shocks, and if things get out of control you will not get bruised up or worse because of the security of the grab rails should keep you from being thrown about.

As others mentioned I also like to stand. Normally I am driving and I will do both but last weekend I was in a friends 32 Fountain and I felt more comfortable standing at 80+mph than sitting. You can see whats coming, hold on better and absorb the impacts better. JMO...

Ditto, we stand most of the time. If I'm sitting down it's because I'm scared and it's time for me to get the hell out of the boat!

My back-seat passengers stand most of the time. The boat has a lot of freeboard, so they are still "in" the boat. If they were sitting, they would be staring directly into the cabin.

I agree, standing and holding onto something. I think your passengers are more accident prone sitting down (especially in rough) if they can't see/anticpate the road ahead. I've been in a few sit down style boats, including those with shock absorber seats and still wanted to desperately stand! My knees are better at absorbing shock than my tailbone/spine.

Usually in performance boats there are plenty of handles to hang on to. You should never be lying/sitting on the sunpad at any planing speed, there is just nothing to grab onto.

If circumstances arrise that will cause a ejection, it doesn't matter if you are standing or sitting! Hang on!

Agreed, it something happens, you're going no matter if you're standing or sitting.

Most people that we boat will stand, wether they are in the front or the back. Is is easier to absorb in the knees than the tailbone.

Now I don't think you should be standing ON the rear seat at those speeds such as the women in the picture above.

I think I would rather be standing than sitting if an ejection occurred. Less obstacles on the way out.

Most larger performance boats are built with bolster seating- they're made to stand up- unless the water is glass smooth or you're maneuvering off-plane. Prudence and judgement come into play when allowing passengers to stand up. If you can't stand up in your bolster and not have to hold on, you have no business having standing passengers in your cockpit that aren't in bolsters.

If you want to run hard in big water with a boat-load, convert to 6-man bolsters.

The only time that's acceptable is at a 40 mph cruise in relatively calm water while TOPLESS!!!!

otherwise there is NO REASON to stand IN the seats. In my 38 Formula, which has handles on the back of the seats, I would much rather stand in any water conditions holding on than sitting in the back seat with my back taking a beating!!!

my wife likes to sit but she had me put in a foot support and Xtra OH-**** HANDLES to her left and front also have wrap grab rails around bolsters and Xtra OH-**** HANDLES around the back you never know whats out there