Ok to Walk on top of bow deck on Ski 196

[Nautibouys]

Is it ok (will not damage) to walk on the bow deck of a Ski 196, specifically 2000 year or so. If so, any weight considerations ( I go about 190 lbs) or areas to stay off of? I am working on mooring the front off a bouy and then tying a stern line to a dock to keep the boat away from our dock, but have concerns about walking on the front of a closed bow to hook the rope to the bow eyelet. Any recommendations?

[vthokies]

RE: Ok to Walk on top of bow deck on Ski 196

Don't worry about walking on the bow. I use to weigh 210 and never ever had an issue. I am 170 now and walk on my to tie up bow lines as well.

[DavidF]

RE: Ok to Walk on top of bow deck on Ski 196

One word of caution: Crawl under the bow and look up at the lifting ring support rod. You should see a square wood block held to the bottom side of the deck with a nut and jamb nut. The purpose of the wood block is to prevent the deck from flexing down when someone walks on it. If the block is loose, you risk pulling the two screws, that prevent the lifting ring from turning, out of the fiberglass. yes, I have seen them loose or even missing.

Oh, another word, be careful as the deck is slippery when freshly waxed and/or wet.

[Rick]

RE: Ok to Walk on top of bow deck on Ski 196

I weigh 250 and have never had a problem. I like DavidF's suggestion though.

[2gofaster]

RE: Ok to Walk on top of bow deck on Ski 196

My first 196 had a walk through windshield and grip tape on the bow from the windshield to the bow ring from the factory. We walked on that thing for years.

[dsums]

Have to agree with DavidF. I keep my 2001 196 waxed really well and I slide towards the water when I lay on it to reach the bow eye. I went off the back once while I was putting the cover on. Lucky not to hit the dock or the boat, went straight to the bottom and landed on my bottom. Probably a message there somewhere