# Duck Boats. Would you ride on one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289 "2018-07-20T19:28:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/41 "2018-07-21T18:02:27Z")
I have not been on one, but I would go on one if the conditions were OK. In one of the interviews of a man either a survivor of the capsized boat or the other one that got back safely, he said “It was just starting to get real windy as we were boarding…” :eek::smack: Stupidity probably had a role here, per **Musicat**. We were in Hawaii recently. On the beach one morning a couple next to us decided to rent a couple of SUP. My wife heard him say to his GF/spouse “…it’s real easy…” as they walked down to the water and struggled to get the boards in thru the waves and rocks (they could have put-in in a sandy spot a few feet away). They paddled straight out, falling a few times, but never making a turn, then attempting to ride a few waves, miserably failing. After a few minutes we noticed they were way out there. Like, past the reefs, on the edge of the dark blue. The trades were blowing already and they were struggling to get back - paddling from their knees and not making any progress. Of course every time they paused to rest the wind would push them further out. We were thinking they would end-up across the channel in Lanai. Just when all hope seemed to be lost a Coast Guard rescue jet ski appears, and pulled them in with the boards. It’s always interesting how people so horribly underestimate risk, especially when it comes to water. I bet the poor people on that duck boat thought “oh, well, they would not let the boat go out unless it was safe.” ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/42 "2018-07-21T18:22:13Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I see their utility, but they don’t perform well as a boat or a truck. Right, so apart from certain military situations, their only real utility is to appeal to tourists who are too lazy to get out of one and get into the other. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/43 "2018-07-21T18:44:01Z")
Tourists are lining up for duck boat tours in Hot Springs AR. > **[Despite duck boat tragedies, Hot Springs visitors flock to duck boat tours](https://katv.com/news/local/despite-duck-boat-tragedies-hot-springs-visitors-flock-to-duck-boat-tours)** > > Despite the Branson tragedy and the nearly two decades old tragedy in Hot Springs, on Friday duck boat tours were filled with visitors in the spa city.KATV spoke with at least a dozen people, jumping on different duck boats, who all had the same... My wife and I are talking about visiting and taking the tour again. It’s been at least 10 years since we did. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/44 "2018-07-21T19:35:26Z")
> [@Oukile](#): > > Those waves were nothing (although the wind was strong, there was probably neither time nor space enough for real waves to develop); an ocean-worthy vessel would have ridden them just fine. > > This boat was just not meant for anything but fair weather. To the contrary, the original DUKW boats [excelled in bad weather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUKW?wprov=sfla1): > [@](#): > > When a United States Coast Guard patrol craft ran aground on a sand bar near Provincetown, Massachusetts, an experimental DUKW happened to be in the area for a demonstration. Winds up to 60 knots (110 km/h), rain, and heavy surf prevented conventional craft from rescuing the seven stranded Coast Guardsmen, but the DUKW had no trouble, and military opposition to the DUKW melted. The DUKW later proved its seaworthiness by crossing the English Channel. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/45 "2018-07-21T20:01:25Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t think its irrational to fear them Then let’s see the rational risk assessment that led to this conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/46 "2018-07-21T20:28:38Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Then let’s see the rational risk assessment that led to this conclusion. I don’t have any assessment but my head saying “Girl, don’t do it”, sorry. My personal safety is kinda important to me. So far it has worked, as I am still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/47 "2018-07-21T20:43:31Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > So far it has worked, as I am still alive. I’m still alive and I’ve ridden in several DUKWs. I’m not saying it’s without possible risk, but lots of things in life involve risk. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/48 "2018-07-21T20:59:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Did the Ducks at the Dells (Wisconsin) several times as a kid. No issue with them and would absolutely do it again now with my kids. I came here to say the same thing. It’s great fun. The little history lessons about the Wisconsin River are great too. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/49 "2018-07-21T20:59:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t have any assessment but my head saying “Girl, don’t do it”, sorry. My personal safety is kinda important to me. So far it has worked, as I am still alive. By that logic it’s perfectly rational to fear monsters in the closet. I keep my closet door shut. So far it has worked, as I am still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/50 "2018-07-21T21:05:45Z")
Yep, there are risks. The ones I can minimize, I will. Just how I roll. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/51 "2018-07-21T21:08:30Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > By that logic it’s perfectly rational to fear monsters in the closet. I keep my closet door shut. So far it has worked, as I am still alive. I doubt any one has ever died because there was a monster in their closet. People have died on duck boats, they are patently unsafe. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/52 "2018-07-21T21:27:36Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > To the contrary, the original DUKW boats [excelled in bad weather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUKW?wprov=sfla1): How many of the original had canopies? ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/53 "2018-07-21T22:17:09Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I doubt any one has ever died because there was a monster in their closet. People have died on duck boats, they are patently unsafe. Although the first statement is true (People have died on a DUKW), I don’t think the second follows (they are patently unsafe). Anyone know what the death / passenger mile (or hour) is for DUKW tour boats? 40 deaths since 1999 – but how many have ridden one? [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/duck-boats-linked-to-more-than-40-deaths-since-1999/2018/07/20/8237957e-8c66-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf\_story.html?utm\_term=.1cefd8517099](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/duck-boats-linked-to-more-than-40-deaths-since-1999/2018/07/20/8237957e-8c66-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_story.html?utm_term=.1cefd8517099) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/54 "2018-07-21T22:24:40Z")
I looked up deaths in rear ended Ford Pintos and the range is 27-180 people died as a result. I am thinking there were probably more people in Pintos than Duck boats. The Pinto was clearly unsafe. The Duck boats are unsafe. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/55 "2018-07-21T22:39:38Z")
Not an unbiased source, but “no issues in 47 years” for Wisconsin Ducks. > **[17 died when a duck boat capsized in Missouri. Here's what Wisconsin Dells...](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2018/07/20/wisconsin-dells-duck-boats-have-excellent-safety-record/809395002/)** > > Federal officials have been warning tourists for nearly 20 years of the dangers of duck boats. But the ones in the Wisconsin Dells have gone without incident. Maybe its because they aren’t [as] modified (some of the problem vessels are stretched). Also, while the Wisconsin River is wide in places, it isn’t a lake / ocean Brian ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/56 "2018-07-22T01:01:39Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Although the first statement is true (People have died on a DUKW), I don’t think the second follows (they are patently unsafe). > Anyone know what the death / passenger mile (or hour) is for DUKW tour boats? > > 40 deaths since 1999 – but how many have ridden one? > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/duck-boats-linked-to-more-than-40-deaths-since-1999/2018/07/20/8237957e-8c66-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf\_story.html?utm\_term=.1cefd8517099](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/duck-boats-linked-to-more-than-40-deaths-since-1999/2018/07/20/8237957e-8c66-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_story.html?utm_term=.1cefd8517099) > [@N9IWP](#): > > Not an unbiased source, but “no issues in 47 years” for Wisconsin Ducks. > [Wisconsin Dells duck boats have 'excellent safety record'](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2018/07/20/wisconsin-dells-duck-boats-have-excellent-safety-record/809395002/) > > Maybe its because they aren’t [as] modified (some of the problem vessels are stretched). Also, while the Wisconsin River is wide in places, it isn’t a lake / ocean [James Hall has a different opinion](https://apnews.com/6c0650dfcdea4803bdea8db06983619b/The-Latest:-Family-went-on-boat-tour-for-boy-who-loved-water): > [@](#): > > James Hall said Saturday that the boat’s design makes the World War II-era vessels prone to the kind of accidents that led to the sinking of a duck boat Thursday on a Missouri lake. The sinking killed 17 people . > > Hall says the amphibious vessel should be banned from such use. He says he doesn’t believe there’s a way to make the vehicles safe, particularly in bad weather conditions. > > He says ducks boats are an amphibious vehicle designed for an assault on beaches. Who is Mr. Hall and why should anyone care what he thinks? > [@](#): > > Hall was appointed chairman of the NTSB in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. He served as its chairman from 1994 to 2001. [Steve Paul has a similar opinion](https://apnews.com/48602fad390741c99e6458f5cc3e467a/Inspector-warned-duck-boat-company-of-design-flaws-last-year), and his was communicated directly to the tour company: > [@](#): > > Steve Paul, owner of the Test Drive Technologies inspection service in the St. Louis area, said he issued a written report for the company in August 2017. It explained why the boats’ engines — and pumps that remove water from their hulls — might fail in inclement weather. > > He also told The Associated Press that the tourist boats’ canopies make them hard to escape when they sink — a concern raised by regulators after a similar sinking in Arkansas killed 13 people in 1999. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/57 "2018-07-22T01:13:51Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t have any assessment but my head saying “Girl, don’t do it”, sorry. My personal safety is kinda important to me. So far it has worked, as I am still alive. So irrational, with a topping off selection bias. This is how we get dumb shit like TSA security theater. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/58 "2018-07-22T01:24:44Z")
I’ve ridden the Boston duck boats a few times. I don’t think they are especially dangerous. They only go in the river, and I don’t think they even do that if there are waves or high winds or thunder. Also, they have a canopy on top, but the “windows” are just open space. If the boat capsized, it would be easy for everyone to get out via the window closest to each person. And the river isn’t super clean, but I doubt falling into it would kill you. And there are about a million people who would see the capsize and call for help. If you could keep your head above water for 10 minutes, I bet you’d be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/59 "2018-07-22T01:28:47Z")
My selection bias does lean toward me, I am sorry. I dont think the TSA cares a whole hell of alot what I think about my personal safety. The duck boats are unsafe, bottom line. Bungey jumping is unsafe too, but peeps will still do it. Swimming with sharks is unsafe, peeps will still do it. And pay money to do so. Dumb. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289/60 "2018-07-22T08:38:27Z")
I only rode the ones in Branson as a kid, and I seem to remember having to wear a life jacket. I also could have sworn the windows were open. What I remember most was the driver always letting a few kids drive once we were in the water (with him there able to take the wheel at a moments notice). I think I remember driving for a bit one of the times. but it could be conflation. My memories from then are a bit hazy. It was mostly a thing done on school trips. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-boats-would-you-ride-on-one/818289.md?page=4)