10-23 REELLIFE DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 21
While a great option for general
recreational use, they typically ride
rough. As the skipper you may
have some form of suspension seat
but it is likely your passenger does
not. For that matter it is likely that
you have passengers on cushioned
seat boxes. I mention this because
Repetitive Lumbar Injuries (RLI)
are a real possibility when boating
in choppy conditions. Basically,
the tissue between your lumber
vertebrae can break down and
pinch the nerves when running in
heavy seas.
If I sat down while running in the
heavy, unsettled seas I would be
paying for it later.
Short of installing high end
suspension seats there are a few
things you can do to help prevent
RLI. The key is to slow down and
practice what I call “Become one
with the sea”. You can also run a bit
bow up to push the impact point
towards the stern for a smoother
ride. Both will slow you down, but
eventually you’ll get where you’re
going and your backs will thank
you for your extra efforts. On a
personal note; I have pretty severe
arthritis and my lumbar region
is a mess. For work, I run a small
aluminum boat 6 days a week
year-round. For the most part, I
make the run independent of the
weather conditions. There are days
where I have to stand to run the
boat.
Stay alert, try to get some sleep
the night before an outing, again,
limit alcohol consumption, and
stay hydrated. A key in preventing
boating accidents is knowing your
limitations as a skipper and what
your boat and crew can handle.
Don’t be afraid to put the boat
back on the trailer if the conditions
warrant.
Many boating accidents are
preventable, keep an organized
deck, limit your passenger’s
alcohol consumption, secure
knives, gaff hooks, and anything
else that can swing or roll around.
A 12# downrigger ball rolling
around could do some serious
damage if you got in its way. Even
consider what a 3-ounce jig can do
swinging from a rod in the rocket
launchers can do (I know…)
Establish a general safe boating
routine for your boat and share it
with your passengers. It should
include location of the PFDs and
a throwable device, location and
use of your firefighting equipment.
Possibly address the docking
procedure: Things like, secure the
stern line first when docking, no
jumping from the boat to the
dock, watch your fingers, and
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