I went down to the Oklahoma river to do a little rowing exercise. While there I saw a small
Snake in the water. He didn't appear to be aggressive. When I returned to work, my boss told me
He had heard stories a about the copper heads being aggressive to the point of getting, or trying to get into the boat with people. Is it any truth to it?

Yes, they can and will often get or try to get into your boat.

I think your boss was pulling your leg. Copperhead Fact Sheet - National Zoo| FONZ

You want a legal answer to this question?

If the Copperhead tries to climb in your boat, you are entitled to shoot it in self-defense, but only if you have an objective belief that your life is in danger.

The above post was meant in jest, in the hopes that a moderator would eventually remove this thread from the "legal" forum.

But, more seriously, how can a Copperhead climb into a boat even if it wants to? I don't think it would be able to climb up the side of a boat. Perhaps from a low-hanging branch or steep bank, I suppose.