Seatbelts in boats

[dartag1829]

So how many on here Don't wear there Seatbelts in there vehicle but Want them in boats. Just curious. This same debate comes up when discussing Mandatory Seat Belt Laws.

[grout-scout]

So how many on here Don't wear there Seatbelts in there vehicle but Want them in boats. Just curious. This same debate comes up when discussing Mandatory Seat Belt Laws.

Been mandatory here for 25 years or so.

[c rig]

I bought up the idea of having seat belts in bass boats back in the old days on the Bass Fishing Home Page. I brought up the topic here a couple years ago. Every time I have seen this topic discussed, 98% of the people are opposed to seat belts in bass boats. All of the arguments against seat belts in bass boats are the EXACT same arguments that were made many years ago when requiring seat belts in cars was proposed. The debate back then was as heated and divisive as political debates are today. Yet, we now know that seat belts save thousands of lives every year and we take them for granted. Yet, folks still think that those same arguments used against seat belts in cars are somehow valid when discussing having seat belts in bass boats.

Fire away, as I am certain that I will regret this post!

No sense regretting it, it’s worth discussing.

The number of auto related deaths yearly nationwide even with seatbelt laws are in the low to mid 30,000’s.

How many bass boat related deaths that a seatbelt could’ve prevented are there yearly?

A dozen? Maybe less?

I can see a seatbelt giving you more security in rough water, but realistically how many lives would they save?

Biggest way to save lives in the bass fishing community is for people to stop driving like idiots and use common sense.

[dartag1829]

No sense regretting it, it’s worth discussing.

The number of auto related deaths yearly nationwide even with seatbelt laws are in the low to mid 30,000’s.

How many bass boat related deaths that a seatbelt could’ve prevented are there yearly?

A dozen? Maybe less?

I can see a seatbelt giving you more security in rough water, but realistically how many lives would they save?

Biggest way to save lives in the bass fishing community is for people to stop driving like idiots and use common sense.

Here is the actual data on auto deaths. Look at the 70's when cars did not have safety regulations compared to 2016 data. Huge reduction in deaths with a Huge population increase. But vehicle prices are increased due to companies having to meet federal regulations.


Agree people need to slow down. But with 250 HP Bass Boats I doubt that will happen. To many guys driving beyond there ability.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...n_U.S._by_year

[local16]

If I felt the need to wear a seat belt in my boat, I'd either slow down, fish in nicer weather or buy a boat that rode better. Seems a lot of people don't want to make things safer but will go the extra mile and expense to better handle unsafe conditions. JMHO

[missingbama]

I’d much prefer to see boat manufacturers put more research into seat design from a safety standpoint.

It seems like most of the ejection videos I’ve seen on YouTube seem to show that most boaters are ejected in a side to side motion (centrifugal force hook a wave type thing) vs a front/back motion (like a car seatbelt is designed for)

I may just be getting old but it seems like a seat that does a better job of keeping you in the boat would help with rough water ride too.

THIS

More lateral support that doesn't tether you to the boat.

[missingbama]

Let's not get carried away here... I've fished 1000's of tournaments from 10-250 boats and have never heard of someone being thrown out of a boat... We've had one unfortunate incident and now everyone wants seat belts, beacons, helmets, full body armor... I joked earlier maybe we should just trade our bass boats for 50ft cruisers... Dan

Three in Florida alone in about a year. The college series one, the recent FLW Costa series death and my brother in law, fishing as a co-angler on the Harris Chain of Lakes, was thrown out during a tournament in the FLW Costa series. He ripped the grab handle out of the fiberglass on a newer Ranger. He came up under the boat and his inflatable PFD didn't deploy, Jimmy Houston was following them, stopped and pulled him onto his boat.

[Nova Kaw 650]

How many bass boat related deaths that a seatbelt could’ve prevented are there yearly?

A dozen? Maybe less?

Only a dozen?
Well, only saving a dozen lives is definitely not worth having boat companies add seat belts for those that would chose to wear them.

[jjtriton]

Several years ago BASS / ESPN started a series called The WCF World Championship Fishing. The format was 1/2 day fishing and 1/2 day running boats in an obstacle course set up with buoys. The boats had to make 360's around the buoys then to a finish line. These boats were set up to turn hard and fast. To make a long story short the drivers could not stay in their seat and be able to correct the path of the boat on the course. Triton installed lap belts in the boats and the drivers always remained in the proper position to drive the boat. Most accidents in bass boats could from being thrown out of the boat. The most common comment is what if the boat is upside down, these boats have upright flotation. I say install them, if you like them wear them if you don't fold them under the seats.

[TRCM]

Several years ago BASS / ESPN started a series called The WCF World Championship Fishing. The format was 1/2 day fishing and 1/2 day running boats in an obstacle course set up with buoys. The boats had to make 360's around the buoys then to a finish line. These boats were set up to turn hard and fast. To make a long story short the drivers could not stay in their seat and be able to correct the path of the boat on the course. Triton installed lap belts in the boats and the drivers always remained in the proper position to drive the boat. Most accidents in bass boats could from being thrown out of the boat. The most common comment is what if the boat is upside down, these boats have upright flotation. I say install them, if you like them wear them if you don't fold them under the seats.

Those belts were installed to keep the driver in the seat for the competition......NOT for true safety, or they would have continued to install them.

Do you know why we don't have lap belts only anymore...because in an accident they cause just as much harm as the accident.

Everyone knows how well they work in cars, but you simply can not put a seatbelt like is in your car in a bass boat....it has no roof or pillar to attach the shoulder harness to so it can work without hurting you more.

So how do you propose putting a shoulder harness in a bass boat so you can have a seatbelt like you have in your car (which has a roof by the way) ??

[5-Dinks]

Ron Sheffield who won one of those WCF events also installed a NASCAR restraint seat in his boat just for the driving portion. You want to put a couple of those seats in your boat? He only did it for the driving portion...wonder why he didn't leave it in full time?

[ccm]

Several years ago BASS / ESPN started a series called The WCF World Championship Fishing. The format was 1/2 day fishing and 1/2 day running boats in an obstacle course set up with buoys. The boats had to make 360's around the buoys then to a finish line. These boats were set up to turn hard and fast. To make a long story short the drivers could not stay in their seat and be able to correct the path of the boat on the course. Triton installed lap belts in the boats and the drivers always remained in the proper position to drive the boat. Most accidents in bass boats could from being thrown out of the boat. The most common comment is what if the boat is upside down, these boats have upright flotation. I say install them, if you like them wear them if you don't fold them under the seats.

Difference here is those boats were setup by experts to handle the course like you said. Not all boats are setup properly and that part about upright flotation doesnt matter when a boat blows out (from not being setup correctly) hits a wake and flips.

[grayline]

If I felt the need to wear a seat belt in my boat, I'd either slow down, fish in nicer weather or buy a boat that rode better. Seems a lot of people don't want to make things safer but will go the extra mile and expense to better handle unsafe conditions. JMHO

Bob this worries a lot of us I agree on your point, I wish others would follow suit...

[Hickory Legend]

One word.........Stupid idea


You can add a seat belt to your boat if you feel its safer for you, I have no issue with that!!!!

You can add a seat a race cage, what ever you feel comfortable with, Its your boat.

Its not up to the government to protect you and the boat, do what you feel is necessary!!!!

[jomo924]

for years cars came with seat belts,,,hmmm nobody used them , i know i didnt,,,then came shoulder belts again i didnt use them, then it became mandatory to use them,,,,then i thought hmmm maybe just MAYBE SOMEONE DID STUDIES TO WARRANT ENFORCING THEIR USE HMMMM,,,,,i know this boats float and bass boats as well , most times when riders are ejected boats are still right side up,,,hmmmm ,,,,just putting out facts no opinions ,,AND NOT CALLING ANY IDEAS STUDPID

[osutodd]

No way. A car has steel protection over your head to protect you in a rollover. Flip a boat with a seatbelt in and you're a goner.

I'd rather be tossed out and floating with a life jacket on.

I think seatbelts in boats makes as much sense as seatbelts on motorcycles.

[c rig]

Only a dozen?
Well, only saving a dozen lives is definitely not worth having boat companies add seat belts for those that would chose to wear them.

No, it's not worth it for bass boat companies to automatically install seat belts in boats when doing so may save a dozen lives yearly....tops. Probably much less than a dozen.

335 people die yearly in tubs/showers....should we mandate people wear Water Wings or a plastic bubble when they bathe?

Some people are overreacting to 250 boats going out, 249 coming back. I think it's fair to re-evaluate gear or how people drive boats...but seat belts?

[billnorman1]

Those belts were installed to keep the driver in the seat for the competition......NOT for true safety, or they would have continued to install them.
Do you know why we don't have lap belts only anymore...because in an accident they cause just as much harm as the accident.
Everyone knows how well they work in cars, but you simply can not put a seatbelt like is in your car in a bass boat....it has no roof or pillar to attach the shoulder harness to so it can work without hurting you more.
So how do you propose putting a shoulder harness in a bass boat so you can have a seatbelt like you have in your car (which has a roof by the way) ??

You use what you got. I've rolled cars on two separate occasions. I got accustomed to using a lap belt in the 1960's because they were mandatory for street class drag racing. I drove (more) like an idiot back then, and I noticed I could drift corners much faster and easier if I wore my lap belt because I didn't have to hang on to that little wing vent post to stay behind the wheel. I'll take a stand, I recommend competitors in BASS tournaments have them installed for the co-anglers and they can use them if they wish. I've seen miles of footage where the driver took stupid chances and the co-angler is just depending on his skill to make it through staying in the boat.
Oh yeah, when you roll a car you will be surprised how much dirt there is on the floor as it hits you in the face.

[5-Dinks]

^^^Be my guest but don't start crying when your co-angler sues you for damages/ bodily harm.

[TRCM]

You use what you got. I've rolled cars on two separate occasions. I got accustomed to using a lap belt in the 1960's because they were mandatory for street class drag racing. I drove (more) like an idiot back then, and I noticed I could drift corners much faster and easier if I wore my lap belt because I didn't have to hang on to that little wing vent post to stay behind the wheel. I'll take a stand, I recommend competitors in BASS tournaments have them installed for the co-anglers and they can use them if they wish. I've seen miles of footage where the driver took stupid chances and the co-angler is just depending on his skill to make it through staying in the boat.
Oh yeah, when you roll a car you will be surprised how much dirt there is on the floor as it hits you in the face.

Really ?? what if 'what you got' is worse than nothing at all because it could actually hurt you more???

Been there done that myself twice.......had a seat belt on both times...well, actually a 4 pt harness w/anti-sub strap the 2nd time.......properly mounted to a roll cage.