Paragon Transom Seats

[FPCC]

I know there are laws preventing you from using the transom seats while moving, anyone know is that national law or state by state?

[bird_dog0347]

So I wasn't aware there are/were any laws against using them while underway so I went to TXPWD and looked at the boating laws as well as what they say about being underway and referring to the CG regulations. At least for TX I can't find anything that says you cannot unless you claim that it is reckless driving, which is good as we had people in those seats (flipped up, not just the basic transom seat) last weekend while surfing. Your state may have different laws.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/...l2000_0014.pdf
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...83_main_02.tpl

[GMLIII]

I big No No is most every state that I'm aware of

[bird_dog0347]

I assume it could be, but in the two links I posted I wasn't able to find where is says we can't... Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV.

[Smindustries]

It's definitely not advisable, but I doubt it's actually a law anywhere. Too few boats have transom seating for it to rise to the level of legislation or administrative code.

[XBIGPUN66]

Where we boat it is understood that when operating above steerage speeds all parties in the vessel need to be seated and inside the gunwales/ back sundeck. I.e butts need to be in seats. You can lean out over the rear sundeck if you keep your lower half inside the boat. Otherwise you will get a ticket.

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[bird_dog0347]

Here in TX there are people riding on the sundeck/transom all the time and I've never been stopped for it or seen/heard of anyone getting ticketed for it... which makes sense as I cannot find it in their laws.

[RDT-G23]

Here in TX there are people riding on the sundeck/transom all the time and I've never been stopped for it or seen/heard of anyone getting ticketed for it... which makes sense as I cannot find it in their laws.

This is correct. That said, my wife and daughter have been after me about being able to sit back there while we putter up the river, or have a surfer. I may or may not have lead them to believe that there are rules against this without actually knowing if there are!

[Wayward]

I think in a lot of states, it depends if it is a "navigable waterway" and is under federal control. In VT and NY it is not a law in the state regulations, so if you are one a lake that is not connected to other certain lakes, canals, the ocean, etc., it is not illegal. If you are on a lake that is considered a navigable waterway, it is federally controlled, and the law does apply. For instance, Lake Champlain is connected to the Hudson river, and to the Saint Lawrence seaway. It falls under federal control and the law applies.

[Smindustries]

I think in a lot of states, it depends if it is a "navigable waterway" and is under federal control. In VT and NY it is not a law in the state regulations, so if you are one a lake that is not connected to other certain lakes, canals, the ocean, etc., it is not illegal. If you are on a lake that is considered a navigable waterway, it is federally controlled, and the law does apply. For instance, Lake Champlain is connected to the Hudson river, and to the Saint Lawrence seaway. It falls under federal control and the law applies.

What law applies? That's the issue here. No one can cite an actual law or regulation.

[Wayward]

What law applies? That's the issue here. No one can cite an actual law or regulation.

(46 USC 2302 (a) (b)) Negligent operation, Part 4.- Bowriding, or riding on seatback, gunwale, or transom.

They would consider it "riding on transom".

Certainly could leave some up to interpretation, but it would be up to the officers discretion, and most would consider riding in transom seats to be riding on the transom.....And has been the case when many have been ticketed for it.

[Smindustries]

(46 USC 2302 (a) (b)) Negligent operation, Part 4.- Bowriding, or riding on seatback, gunwale, or transom.

They would consider it "riding on transom".

Certainly could leave some up to interpretation, but it would be up to the officers discretion, and most would consider riding in transom seats to be riding on the transom.....And has been the case when many have been ticketed for it.

Awesome! Thank you for removing the supposition from this conversation.

[bird_dog0347]

This is correct. That said, my wife and daughter have been after me about being able to sit back there while we putter up the river, or have a surfer. I may or may not have lead them to believe that there are rules against this without actually knowing if there are!

To be honest, having people sitting on them while we had a surfer kinda sucks as the driver when picking up a rider. Normally I would be looking over my shoulder to make sure they are ready before pulling the rider up, but with the chairs open it's very difficult to see the rider and you must use the camera on the dash. It is a small complaint, and one with a work around, but annoying for me.

[mikenbike211]

i would be worried about the rope catching one of those aft sested people. we just dont sit back there when underway unless teaching someone to surf.