Sunpad question

T

thelimey

New Member
Mar 10, 2016
4
South Carolina
Boat Info
2015 240 Sundeck
Engines
Merc 4.5L 250hp B3
As a new boat owner possibly a stupid question however; is it advisable/legal to be cruising/WOT with someone lying on the sunpad?
 
If you're referring to the sunpad in the bow (with the cushion inserts), yes, totally fine. But the aft sunpad... just think about it. If someone fell off, where would they end up? Granted, chances are low that they would actually end up in the blender, but... :smt001
 
I think we should clarify here. The front of a bow-rider or sundeck is usually OK.

The bowpad of a Sundancer or other cruiser is a no-go.
 
If I was you I would ask the local water LEO's or the Coast Guard that patrol your area. Although there is a wealth of knowledge here at CSR regarding boats, most members are not qualified to answer questions regarding legality. Those questions are best answered by the people who actually write the tickets and patrol the water where you boat.
 
Boater420 said:
If I was you I would ask the local water LEO's or the Coast Guard that patrol your area. Although there is a wealth of knowledge here at CSR regarding boats, most members are not qualified to answer questions regarding legality. Those questions are best answered by the people who actually write the tickets and patrol the water where you boat.
Click to expand...
:smt038
Always good to understand federal, state, and local laws that apply to the bodies of water where you boat.

I agree with Jmwarren, too, that the type of boat matters, for both legality and safety. The statutes will specify differences among vessels to distinguish things that might be ok on some but not on others.

And remember that legal is one thing--that can get someone a ticket, a fine, or worse.....
Advisable/safe is another--there are things that can get someone injured or killed, or warrant a "safety check" by LOE, even if the activities themselves are legal. And if you're the captain, what you say goes--I'm a little more conservative than the law about some things, and if you're on my boat that's that.

For me, WOT is a time when passengers should be positioned somewhere they can grab a rail or otherwise anchor themselves if something unexpected happens, especially in smaller boats that react more noticeably when changing direction quickly or encountering a big wave/getting waked. "Lying on the sunpad," if on a small-ish boat, may be a very vulnerable position.



And pretty much nothing is a stupid question--if you're thinking it, someone else has seen it or done it, whether they admit it or not. You may get razzed, but better razzed then hurt or dead when it comes to safety.
 
Common sense prevails in all situations. A teenage girl took a permanent nap on our lake last summer while laying on the rear sun pad of the boat she was on. The CO fumes got to her and she passed out and rolled into the lake and drown.

If on the bow and cruising WOT just be sure the water is smooth and keep watch for any large wakes or waves so you don't throw your passengers off balance.... and be sure to avoid any sudden stops or decrease in speed without warning your passengers.
 
I can't imagine a situation where I would allow anyone on the bow of my boat when I am going WOT. I calm water at a slow cruise maybe.
 
From the USCG:

Don’t bow ride:
The Coast Guard nation-wide urges the boating public to think twice before allowing their friends and family members to carelessly bow ride. “You wouldn’t allow your kids to sit of the hood of your car, so why would you allow them to sit on the bow of your boat?” Bow riding refers to the unsafe practice of passengers remaining on the bow of a recreational vessel while it is making way.

Source: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2501054/Coast-Guard-kicks-off-National-safe-Boating-Week-in-Florida

When I got took my boater safety course we were told it is illegal and I boat in DC, MD and VA waters.

I think to legally ride on the boat the boat must have a fixed seat with a back on it (i.e.: L650). The captain who does most of the BoatTest.com videos has pointed this out on many occasions.
 
Guys... Keep in mind that he has a bowrider, not a Sundancer.
 
I know many of you are on tapatalk ad don't see his details but his Boat is a 240 sundeck. One can assume he is talking about his filler cushions in his forward seating area.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Guys... Keep in mind that he has a bowrider, not a Sundancer.
Click to expand...

Zorba said:
I know many of you are on tapatalk ad don't see his details but his Boat is a 240 sundeck. One can assume he is talking about his filler cushions in his forward seating area.
Click to expand...

You and Dennis are correct but common sense still prevails with open bow boats. I dang near threw one of my kids out of the bow of our old 240SD. We were cruising along on a flat calm day when a bigger boat passed us -- as I slowed, his wake rocked us hard and my kid went from one side the bow to the other in the blink of an eye. I pride myself on being a safe and attentive boater but sometimes a situation pops up that you can't anticipate.
 
I didn't notice the boat he was driving. Sunpad to me means the pad on the bow of a cruiser not the filler cushion between the seats.
 
It's a 2015 sundeck 240. I think he is referring to the small Sunpad at the stern. Definitely a bad idea to allow someone on that at any speed. The bow has full height sides and grab handles I don't see how that could be trouble unless in rough water. I have put the bow through a wake before, took about 4" of water over the anchor/ladder locker. Should have seen those girls scramble for their iphones.
 
What you can do legally is one thing, but SAFETY FIRST should be always in your mind. Imagine your boat coming to a sudden stop, then imagine what would happen to a passenger in any given seat/sunpad. Inertia is a powerful force!
 
In MO as long as there is a 6"+ rail its legal. Safe is another story. Sun pad on bow is another story depending on boat size, speed, and water conditions
 
Thanks for the info, I did clarify with a knowledgeable local that it was a no go with the authorities here.
I was actually referring to the small rear sun pad aft as I have seen larger powerboats before with girls normally tanning as they cruise along however this was in the med.
I agree though its not a good idea at any kind of speed.
I never considered the risks in the bow area though as the seating is so deep and would "assume" that its designed to be a safe area but thanks for the heads up.

More questions to follow I'm sure, however the boat gets wet for the first time tomorrow :thumbsup:
 
In the European market, it's not uncommon to find short rails around the sunpad on a Sea Ray (and, of course, others). Whether it's needed over there or not for legality, I don't know. But it's definitely illegal here. Now... is it illegal here (regardless of a small rail) and that's why they are not offered that way... or is it just an aesthetic thing... Not sure on that, either. I just know it's not allowed... and of course not the brightest of ideas to begin with.

Good luck on the maiden voyage!
 
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