Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

My pontoon has 2 seats in front of the rail on the bow. Also has small railing maybe 6 inches high that they can put their feet on. My question is, is it legal for ppl to ride in those seats while underway being on the outside of the higher railing?

What state are you located in?

From a safety standpoint, I'd think those seats would be dangerous to sit in at any speed beyond a "No Wake" speed.

I'd also think that whoever sits there while underway is going to get wet.

In SC it would be illegal. In every state it's dangerous. If someone falls off and in between the toons the driver likely won't have time to take it out of gear. If you've ever cut yourself on a prop just imagine what that would do at cruising speed. If you are fishing with a trolling motor it would not be illegal or really dangerous but riding around the lake is a bad idea.

On our lake they write a ton of tickets for riding on the sun pad of pontoons and bow riders as that is also illegal here without a rail.

Illegal or not, nobody on my boat would be allowed to ride up there. Way too dangerous as things happen very quickly.

Only time anyone goes up there is to anchor the boat.

Georgia DNR Boating Regs:

Unlawful And Dangerous Operation

"Riding on Bow or Gunwale is illegal if the boat is not equipped with a railing or some other retaining device. As a boat operator, you are prohibited from allowing your passengers to ride on the bow or gunwale."

IMHO a six inch rail is not sufficient to restrain a passenger riding on a bow or gunwale while the boat is underway.

Engine propellers leave ugly scars.

Here in Tennessee that will not get you a ticket, that will get you arrested. I would guess it would in other states also.

Illegal and unsafe. Unfortunately I still see a few people doing it. Things can happened in a heart beat. Things that will change your life forever.

i concur with all above statements. probably illegal in your state. definitely illegal in AL. unsafe regardless.

[quote="mpilot"]In SC it would be illegal. In every state it's dangerous. If someone falls off and in between the toons the driver likely won't have time to take it out of gear. If you've ever cut yourself on a prop just imagine what that would do at cruising speed. If you are fishing with a trolling motor it would not be illegal or really dangerous but riding around the lake is a bad idea.

On our lake they write a ton of tickets for riding on the sun pad of pontoons and bow riders as that is also illegal here without a rail.[/quote]

20+ years ago on Lake Murray a child riding on the bow dangling his legs was pulled under when the boat crossed a wake. He was hit by the motor and died in front of his family.

[quote="sunedog"][quote="mpilot"]In SC it would be illegal. In every state it's dangerous. If someone falls off and in between the toons the driver likely won't have time to take it out of gear. If you've ever cut yourself on a prop just imagine what that would do at cruising speed. If you are fishing with a trolling motor it would not be illegal or really dangerous but riding around the lake is a bad idea.

On our lake they write a ton of tickets for riding on the sun pad of pontoons and bow riders as that is also illegal here without a rail.[/quote]

20+ years ago on Lake Murray a child riding on the bow dangling his legs was pulled under when the boat crossed a wake. He was hit by the motor and died in front of his family.[/quote]


That reminds me of this video. https://youtu.be/F11NGyzTukk
The language of the young boy is a clue to the adults judgement.

My boat also has a 6 inch rail on the very front of the deck leaving room for fishing seats on the very bow. It was my understanding that the 6 inch rail makes it legal in most states to occupy that area while under way in that it is a railing regardless of height. I know of no states that regulate how tall the railing must be. Most small boats, pontoon or not, only have a 4 to 8 inch high bow railing that you must remain behind while underway. Some boats have no railing what so ever. It is illegal in most states to hang or dangle your legs over the bow railing or gunnels while underway. If the 6 inch railing on my boat didn't allow me to be up there I couldn't fish off the bow using my trolling motor in that I would be technically under power. In fact, I can get my toon up to 6 mph with that troller. Now before I get flamed I do agree that hauling ass and having folks up on the very bow is irresponsible BUT, I do enjoy being up there while slow cruising. I don't know why, it's just enjoyable and I don't allow anyone to dangle there legs over the rail unless we are stopped just floating around.

I'm sure the front seats are for fishing w/ a trolling motor.
Having 1 person on a seat while approaching a dock at "no wake" speed is OK.
However, having anyone sitting up front while above "no wake" speed is STUPID, whether it is illegal or not.

[quote="slingshot"]My boat also has a 6 inch rail on the very front of the deck leaving room for fishing seats on the very bow. It was my understanding that the 6 inch rail makes it legal in most states to occupy that area while under way in that it is a railing regardless of height. I know of no states that regulate how tall the railing must be. Most small boats, pontoon or not, only have a 4 to 8 inch high bow railing that you must remain behind while underway. Some boats have no railing what so ever. It is illegal in most states to hang or dangle your legs over the bow railing or gunnels while underway. If the 6 inch railing on my boat didn't allow me to be up there I couldn't fish off the bow using my trolling motor in that I would be technically under power. In fact, I can get my toon up to 6 mph with that troller. Now before I get flamed I do agree that hauling ass and having folks up on the very bow is irresponsible BUT, I do enjoy being up there while slow cruising. I don't know why, it's just enjoyable and I don't allow anyone to dangle there legs over the rail unless we are stopped just floating around.[/quote]

The six inch railing around the sun deck here is enough that you can ride there. Still not smart, but legal. It does give dnr reason to harass you and if you have someone that doesn't know the rules they still may write you the ticket and you'll have to fight it in court. On the front it was explained to me that the railing would have to encompass the majority of where you were sitting. Those little corner rails that go a foot in each direction would not make it legal here, but I don't know about other states.

no one rides in front of gate when motor is running. not negotiable... i don't want to explain to their family how the body was mangled by the propeller....

Im in texas. And yes at slow speeds. I have a huge cove i go to and its all no wake zone and my friends keep asking if they can go up there but i tell them only when anchored cause i didnt know