Some boating rules.. a bit of a rant here

[mkbcaptain]

Or, you can just prohibit alcohol on your boat and stick to water and soda?(flame suit on )

I rarely drink on the boat. If I do I will have a few Mich Ultras early in the day when we are on the island. Not while underway. Unlike some of these pontoon boat “captains”. Yikes!!! ???

 

[2kwik4u]

Or, you can just prohibit alcohol on your boat and stick to water and soda?(flame suit on )

First boat we had for 6 seasons. House rule was no alcohol on the boat. Most KY lakes are in "Dry Counties" so just possession can technically get you a ticket. We just avoided it all together.

Little more lax on the current boat, but my personal goal is to cut back significantly. Let myself get out of control one day last year, and decided that's not a good look for me.

Secondary thought......if you need the booze to be interesting or to have fun. Good chance you're neither.....

 

[drewkaree]

Or, you can just prohibit alcohol on your boat and stick to water and soda?(flame suit on )

 

[Ronnie]

I have been fortunate I haven’t had a similar experience with guests on my boat. That is, I had drinks onboard but all of them were good drunks and never got out of control or passed out on while boating.

the only two rules I can think but rarely mention are:
1. If you can’t swim or you are a minor you must wear a life vest when you are out boating with me, not just when you want to get in the water, dock to dock.
2. If you leave a solid in the head/toilet, you must dump the head/toilet at the end of the day.

Other than the above, I don’t care if you bring red wine, Cheetos, etc. onboard. I don’t ask or expect my guests to wipe down the boat at the end of the day and I don’t want people to give me gas money. The reasons for the latter are simple. I would have gone boating without them so I would have have spent the money anyway. Also, I don’t want to feel obligated to my guests in anyway when it comes to where and how long we boat. If I take money for gas they may start to look more like customers to me, customers with expectations (some wanting to get their money’s worth).

 

[drewkaree]

Also, I don’t want to feel obligated to my guests in anyway when it comes to where and how long we boat. If I take money for gas they may start to look more like customers to me, customers with expectations (some wanting to get their money’s worth).

This is an awesome point, and something I hadn't considered before. Nice addition @Ronnie

 

[Skierdad]

Have you considered banning the wife for violating the rules?

It is on the table for this summer.

 

[JetBoatingUpstateNY]

i have the opposite problem y'all have... friends are all having their 1st/2nd kid and no one will come party with me!!! LOL

 

[HangOutdoors]

Thats not a bad problem to have

 

[Miitch]

I had a couple of issues last summer with people showing up absolutely plastered... It's against the law to consume alcohol on a boat here in Ontario (unless you have a head, kitchen, place to sleep AND you're tied up to a dock - basically just for those that live on their boats year round). Last year, two friends showed up so destroyed, they fell into the water at the marina before they even got to my boat. Telling someone to get lost has never been easier.

Last summer was my first year with a boat and the Police and RCMP frequent our marina, as we are very close to the border. I have been searched three times last year from June - August. So i enforced a strict no alcohol rule. Couple of people have bitched and complained about how much of a buzzkill I am. I told them they can watch from the beach as we wakeboard and whip people off tubes at 40mph then tell me who's having more fun.

Also, what always kind of bothered me, is why people have to be drunk to have fun?? Believe me, i am no light drinker. But if I come across as that boring to the point where you cant stand to be around me sober, then fuck right off and go buy your own boat ?

 

[Captain_Ron65]

So I have a similar question about taking friends out. We have had our Yamaha since last August. We have taken 6-7 different sets of friends out and some on more than one occasion. I have not asked for money to chip in for gas from them and so far not once have any of them offered. On one occasion, a friend asked us if we could take her parents out since they were in town visiting (and different offer $ gas). Is this common for others? Do you ask up front? I do have rules which most people follow (no shoes, no spray suntan lotion, byob, etc) so should I add another rule about gas money? I just find it odd that people don't offer, when I didn't have a boat I know that I always chipped in on gas.

 

[2kwik4u]

Also, what always kind of bothered me, is why people have to be drunk to have fun?? Believe me, i am no light drinker. But if I come across as that boring to the point where you cant stand to be around me sober, then fuck right off and go buy your own boat ?

This, this right here, is exactly my point.

I caught some grief after I overdid it REALLY badly last August. I went the rest of the season without even bringing anything with me on the boat. There's a good chance I'll go most of the season this year without bringing any for myself on the boat. I'm just kind of over it. The risks are high, and the rewards are relatively low.

It was bad enough at the end of the season last year, I have purposefully reached out to new friend groups to go out this year. Alcohol does NOT have to be central to the day. If it is, I can do that crap on the dock where I'm neither responsible for anyone else, nor in danger of getting a ticket/DUI that could severely damage career (and reputation).

I'll be fine with my bottle of water, thanks!

 

[Babin Farms]

So I have a similar question about taking friends out. We have had our Yamaha since last August. We have taken 6-7 different sets of friends out and some on more than one occasion. I have not asked for money to chip in for gas from them and so far not once have any of them offered. On one occasion, a friend asked us if we could take her parents out since they were in town visiting (and different offer $ gas). Is this common for others? Do you ask up front? I do have rules which most people follow (no shoes, no spray suntan lotion, byob, etc) so should I add another rule about gas money? I just find it odd that people don't offer, when I didn't have a boat I know that I always chipped in on gas.

I have family & friends that go with us and some offer $$ and some don't. I tell them that they don't have to but they always find a way to get the cash to me. Last weekend friends went with and $20 was left in my console of the truck as I was covering the boat. I've had others travel with us where we're going and filling up the boat before or after they will pay the bill. The only time I have an understanding with fuel is when we go on vacation with friends & their kids, we split the cost while we're up there and they usually offer even more seeing we supply the boat.

 

[HangOutdoors]

The Admiral and I, when we go out just us, will bring a bottle or two of wine some cheese, crackers, etc. In case we find a nice area and want to relax and have some alone adult time. Sometimes we return to ramp without opening them just because we didn't find the time or the mood depending on the chop, heat, etc.

I have no problem having a casual drink. When it becomes the central part of the boating or any event, than I am not interested. I see people loading up CASES of beer at the launch in their boat and icing everything down, for just a couple few people and I always think to myself, I hope they will be alright and not hurt anyone.

You can also throw the Marijuana in the same mix. When you go through marina's here, more often than not, the haze just hovers over the water and in the larger coves. There are people operating watercraft who shouldn't be. See some just smoking down on their jet ski's in the no wake on the way out to the big water.

Each to their own, but when it becomes unsafe or a hazard it is not a good thing.

@Captain_Ron65 No one has ever offered me funds for the few times that I took adults out. Wasn't requesting it but it would have been a nice gesture. I guess people think since I have a boat that I have money falling out of me, which isn't the case at all. Filling up $200 of gas in the boat is no joke.

When we take out the kids friends, two of them have offered money in the past and argue with me about not taking it. Not a lot, but the gesture was refreshing. The one girl won't come unless she gives $10 - $20 out of her pocket. She is 16. Also other friends of their's parents always ask when we are picking them up or dropping them off. I always turn it down. They feed the kids and take them for ice cream, etc. When they go over there which is plenty.

 

[Captain_Ron65]

The Admiral and I, when we go out just us, will bring a bottle or two of wine some cheese, crackers, etc. In case we find a nice area and want to relax and have some alone adult time. Sometimes we return to ramp without opening them just because we didn't find the time or the mood depending on the chop, heat, etc.

I have no problem having a casual drink. When it becomes the central part of the boating or any event, than I am not interested. I see people loading up CASES of beer at the launch in their boat and icing everything down, for just a couple few people and I always think to myself, I hope they will be alright and not hurt anyone.

You can also throw the Marijuana in the same mix. When you go through marina's here, more often than not, the haze just hovers over the water and in the larger coves. There are people operating watercraft who shouldn't be. See some just smoking down on their jet ski's in the no wake on the way out to the big water.

Each to their own, but when it becomes unsafe or a hazard it is not a good thing.

@Captain_Ron65 No one has ever offered me funds for the few times that I took adults out. Wasn't requesting it but it would have been a nice gesture. I guess people think since I have a boat that I have money falling out of me, which isn't the case at all. Filling up $200 of gas in the boat is no joke.

When we take out the kids friends, two of them have offered money in the past and argue with me about not taking it. Not a lot, but the gesture was refreshing. The one girl won't come unless she gives $10 - $20 out of her pocket. She is 16. Also other friends of their's parents always ask when we are picking them up or dropping them off. I always turn it down. They feed the kids and take them for ice cream, etc. When they go over there which is plenty.

Wow, that's great that teenage kids actually offer. When we take the kids friends, I have zero expectation that they will chip in at all. I'm even ok with first timers not chipping in but some friends and family have been multiple times and don't offer. I probably won't even ask, but you are correct, it would be a nice gesture to offer.

 

[Skierdad]

So I have a similar question about taking friends out. We have had our Yamaha since last August. We have taken 6-7 different sets of friends out and some on more than one occasion. I have not asked for money to chip in for gas from them and so far not once have any of them offered. On one occasion, a friend asked us if we could take her parents out since they were in town visiting (and different offer $ gas). Is this common for others? Do you ask up front? I do have rules which most people follow (no shoes, no spray suntan lotion, byob, etc) so should I add another rule about gas money? I just find it odd that people don't offer, when I didn't have a boat I know that I always chipped in on gas.

I have never asked for money for gas. Its my boat, my responsibility. I think once you start asking, you won't get many to jump in the boat with you anymore. I have some that will ask to pitch in. Most times I decline because I know it will come back to my family at some point in time. I have had my bill at the pizza place picked up or I get a beer bought for me when I walk into the local bar/grill. I have had those same families take my kids out in their boat or they offer to get my kids after a practice or school event. It just comes back to you in my opinion.

The other thing is this....I have a 195 with wakebooster package. I need weight in the boat! So an extra family in the boat means I don't have to fill ballast tanks and surfing is that much better.

 

[johhnyboat]

As the Coast Guard will tell you, you are the Captain and responsible for everyone on board. If it goes to shit because of what someone on your boat did, you are still responsible. I have banned people from my boat(s) because they have gotten so drunk they won't listen. I don't give second chances.

 

[2kwik4u]

@Captain_Ron65 Gas money is a weird thing. I would say MOST people don't realize how much a day on the water costs between the tow vehicle and the boat using fuel. That realization is hard to get across without outright asking for cash. I've had, on more than one occasion, someone get that realization when I ask for help at the fuel dock. Lots of "Holy crap it's $6/gal here? How much does it take? $100 worth of fuel? Holy Crap!"......sort of comments when they stand there and see it.

With that said. I'll never ask. I'm going into my 11th season owning a boat, and taking all levels of friends/family/clients/etc out on the water. I can count on one hand the number of times I did it as a "favor" and wouldn't have been going anyway. Two of those times it was my boss asking me to take clients on the water as marketing/sales event. Those instances he covered everything and tossed me a $100 bill to cover incidentals that the company card didn't cover. I RARELY get asked to take the boat out when I don't already have plans to be on the water. If I'm already going to be out there, and I like you enough to place myself within the same 100sqft of space as you for an entire day, with no exit strategy, then I don't need or want your money. Rarely have I had a guest that has been such a pain I couldn't wait to get off the water. A few guests that were odd/wierd/different than us, but none that were just outright painful to be around.

I will say though, again referencing borrowing a friends motorcycle on a regular basis, that when I ask to use equipment I state right up front how I intend to care for it, and how I intend to pay for it. While I use it a LOT, I've covered fuel, tires, maintenance, and insurance for the last 7ish years. Been trying to buy the thing from him and he won't let me, but that's another conversation. Anywho, it's always weird to ask "Hey you want to ride the bikes this weekend", as I know it comes from a selfish place for me, and it's still an ask for him. I want to ride the bikes, but they're still his, so I have to ask, and if it was mine and he wasn't available I would go alone, but they're his, and I'm not gonna do that to him. It's a whole bucket of akward for me, but he seems to not care. Asking for a ride on a boat that isn't an already owner scheduled trip, is a lot the same to me. I'm not gonna ask and then be inconsiderate of the other persons time/effort/cash........And those who I've been around are largely the same.

 

[mkbcaptain]

Honestly I have zero expectations of people chipping in for gas. I’m going on my boat regardless. And if they offer I usually decline or tell them to grab food or ice/drinks.
Now if they want me to take them fishing, that’s a different story!! Lol

 

[adrianp89]

Keep in mind it is ILLEGAL to ask for money. At that point you are a paid captain, at which you need your license and can only take 6 people. While the odds are extremely low, a pissed friend, dick sheriff, judge (and lots of bad luck) can result in a $35,000 fine. You are allowed to accept money, but you cannot agree on a price, even for gas, without having your 6pack.

 

[johhnyboat]

Honestly I have zero expectations of people chipping in for gas. I’m going on my boat regardless. And if they offer I usually decline or tell them to grab food or ice/drinks.
Now if they want me to take them fishing, that’s a different story!! Lol

agreed