Acceleration Exposures in Forward Seating Areas of Bowrider Recreational Boats

The objective of this study was to measure acceleration levels to which passengers would be subjected in the fonvard seating areas of two styles of bowrider recreational boats. Acceleration exposure data were collected aboard a monohull and a trihull boat as they crossed 0.48- and 0.76-m wakes at speeds of 24 and 40 km/h. Substantial increases in maximum peak accelerations and their rates of onset were found with increases in boat speed and wake height. Vertical acceleration levels and their onset rates were lowest aboard the monohull; however, the effects of boat speed and wake height upon vertical acceleration exposures were much greater than differences found between boats. Similar findings were obtained for longitudinal acceleration measures. Based upon presently available human acceleration tolerance information, the risk of spinal compression fracture aboard the boats examined appears remote due to the very short durations of the accelerations endured.