Hi, this might be a dumb question but I'm asking anyway. We are moving to an SF from a 42 GB Classic. As you may know the GB has very high bulwarks and relatively safe 360 degree deck access. This is obviously different from an SF. There is 360 access but it it tenuous at best compared with a trawler. Common sense dictates that allowing unrestricted access for inexperienced passengers to the bow on an SF could result in a very bad day. In fact, when I decked on charter boats (long long time ago) we never allowed paying passengers on the bow. With our new boat my plan is to only allow passengers on the bow when at anchor (if they so choose) and never while underway. Well, at least until I get a better feel for the boat. Is there a general consensus among the SF owners on this board about restricting access to the bow? Thanks! John
I'm new at this but I don't have a sense of good judgement in allowing passengers out on the bow while underway....but then, I own a Carver 3807 Aft Cabin..........I don't think it was designed for that. On the other hand, I've seen many high end boats that look like the designer absolutely had that in mind when the boat was built! I think a lot depends on your skill level but even more on the boat you own.
What I will say is that the boat is new to me so I have no frame of reference or experience with this boat to draw from in order to judge how safe it is to have people on the bow. With that said, I will have a much better feel once I start running the boat. In a way this question I posed may have been premature as I suspect the right answer will be apparent once I get a feel for the boat, how she handles in certain conditions and so forth. Thanks for your response Carver
The whole question of "when underway" has to be defined too. There are some boats on which I'd say absolutely no riding on the bow with any movement. Others with bow accommodations that I'd find ok when cruising the canals in calm water but not so under speed. Then virtually no boats that I'd want passengers on the bow when running outside at speed and in rough waters. A few boats do have extra levels on the bow. I suspect your answer on your boat might be on the cautious side to say no, or to allow in the most limited of situations. Part of it too depends on what seating you have on the bow.
If you have continious rails to the bow, in calm conditions I don't see why adults should not be allowed to the bow. This is my policy with charter guests when running in protected inshore waters. Was I running a sportfish or other boats without a continious rail, then I woudl not let folks go to th bow under way.
If you have continuous rails. I would let passangers go foward if I was doing hull speed and in calm inland waters. Never underway at cruise, never in the ocean unless it's flat calm and I'm doing hull speed, and at anchor would be fine. THIS depends on a persons ability also, because getting around the side decks can be tough for some people even if the boat is not moving.
While whale watching in calm seas at almost idle speed, my wife and son sometimes go onto the bow via the master hatch, NOT via the cockpit because the rail starts just a little too far from the step to the gunnel. They then sit against the front of the cabin where the windscreen used to be on some marine cushions. I have 2 sons, the eldest is now playing Club Rugby as a prop in a local team and his shoulders will not get through the hatch
At anchor or tied up I ask that you use the buddy system on outside decks This rule is absolute at night And no drunks on outside decks anytime At hull speed in calm weather your aloud on outside decks High speed all must be inside and accounted for by designated person to Cap Before rough weather all guests are asked to check their rooms for unsecured items And informed of the best place on the ship to ride it out and if they can please stay in that area Designated person is then to inspect all rooms and passengers and crew once every 30 min--Don't forget the dog Duck tape shall be available on all levels of the ship
LOL!!!!!!! When we went ashore at Nassau (Disney Cruise) We were in line to take a ferry to the Atlantis resort. When the ferry was beyond full they kept loading people! I grabbed my wife and kids and took a cab. The ferry looked old enough to be wood. It looked top heavy and was way over loaded! The family complained a bit but listened to reason.
LOL!! At first I was trying to figure out what you meant but then I got it. Very funny. I'm slow but eventually I catch on.
Nobody belongs on the bow of a SF underway unless they do it regularly (owners, crew, regular guest), and no-one at cruise speed. Know a guy with a 60 who had a woman get launched, came down and broke her back. I also NEVER allow children to transit the sides unless there is an adult watching, even at anchor. The rails on most sport fish, if they have rails at all, offer very little to block a body from sliding underneath. At anchor, no problem but I never don't keep an extra eye on people forward. Bad things happen fast up there.