Watched an old episode of the Amazing Race and saw people climbing out of the boats at what looked like break neck speed. I'm graceful in the water but not on dry land. Is there an exit from these boats for clumsy tourists so that I won't be run over by the locals?

I have no idea what boats you saw on tv. There are big water taxis where you are riding with the locals. They are easy to get on and off, and the locals will make allowances for your unfamiliarity with the boats.

the main water taxis on the Chao Phraya should be fine.
It's the water taxis that speed along the small canals that are pretty hairy. You have to haul yourself up to the edge of the boat and as quick as you can jump on to the pier.
You're probably not going to take those but the visitors I know who have say it's one of the most memorable things about Bangkok!

That must be what I saw on TV. I'll just have to make sure I wear pants instead of a skirt and take an extra vitamin if my husband decides we need to ride one of those boats. Thanks for the info.

In another thread, a month and a half or so ago, Bob (rmkkhk) posted a good question about those canal boats. He wondered if tourists were allowed to ride them, now that the skytrain and subway are available. I was in BKK at the time and was going to try to find time to check it out, but did not. So the question is still unanswered. Are tourists allowed on the (very busy and YES FAST) canal boats???
Carol

Yes.
I also recommend taking local water taxi if you are in good health and agile. In Sukumvit area, we walked down Soi 3 to the canal, crossed the bridge and walked down steps to the canal and caught a water taxi the locals take. It is fast and I would say you have to be fast to get on. There is no plank to get on the boat. Just step on the edge of the boat and get in. Or step over the edge of the boat and get in. The water taxi workers wear helmuts. The water taxi goes under many bridges. They have plastic side covers so you don't get slashed on the way. You see life on the canal. We went to the Grand Palace this way. At the end, it's easy to get off since it's the last stop. Then we took tuk tuk to Grand Palace. We went back to the Sukhumvit area on this fast boat but this time it was more difficult to get off since they only allow just a short time for a person to "hop" off. Because I had a heavy purse and didn't hop off in time, we missed two stops. The locals with their heavy packages from shopping know how to get off the boat fast.
It was a lot of fun seeing this part of the local life.

my question that simpsonc refers to was about the canal boats that run directly behind the jim thompson house...

i think you have to move quite quickly on and off the chao payra boats however....they move quickly and they are often bobbing up and down....the hotel boats also bob but the men assist you on and off...

its not difficult but you have to pay attention to what you are doing and the locals are quick to move on and off and then you can go after them...