Anyone Take Groups Out For $

[Bryce]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

I just put it out front a few days or a week ahead of time, i say "hey guys if we all pitch in a little bit I'll get the boat all prepped and we can head out for the weekend". I weeded out the freeloaders really quick, now theres only a few that ask about going anymore

Hehe.. I got rid of the freeloaders and cheapskates that found out we got a boat by telling them they can come along if they bring a life jacket or they can wear an orange type II that I have all day. Nobody wants to use the type IIs and most everyone is too cheep to get the type III they want to wear. For people I want to have come along, I break out the extra type IIIs for them.

I'll have to use your method for the ones that know about the extra type IIIs I have.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

Ok I have a lot at a private lake and the remainder surrounding lakes are state lakes. I am not sure what the state lake policies are. With that said couldn't one get sued just as easy if something happened no matter if its a paid trip or not?

 

[dwhite1031]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

In Texas, and I have found that in other states as well, that is considered a boat for hire and requires special licensing as well as other requirements.​

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

Actually, for all your guests safety, ensure that all breast supporting apparel is removed. It's a safety requirement on my boat for certain. Second, never charge for boat rides, your insurance will be void in case of incident, and as was mentioned, you'd be facing other legal problems.

Ian

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

A private lake may alleviate the need for licensing, but you are stii liable if your equipment fails and someone is injured. Their liability suit would be further bolstered by the fact that you don't have the proper credientals, even tough they may not be required. As soon as you accept money for a service you are operating a business. As such you are liable for anything that happens at your business. At a minimun a business license is required. There is a difference between a business agreement (accepting money for a service) and a casual agreement (having friends pitch in for gas or food). We do casual agreements all the time when freinds want to go hunting, they pay for gas, food whatever. There is no promise or gaurantee of a service. When you accept money for a business there is a guarantee of a service being provided.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

good discussion on this here, with my insightful post on insurance issues:

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/vir...on-about-hoing-law-must-read-coast-guard.html

Note: a "ho" is a person you take out on your boat to Help Out. In the fishing community, it's a great process--I can take an experienced fisherman to an area or for a fish with which I am not familiar; he gets a fishing trip. It's great for old timers who no longer run their own boat. Here it's in salt water, so the boats are bigger and distances farther. Like carpooling, you have to use good judgment. I see no reason to take out a Ho just for cruising around, and although a newbie could use an experienced hand on board, not likely someone would want to do that (go along and coach) for a stranger.
Bottom line is you can't charge them or make any compensation, even gas, a condition of going.
I've had some "commercial use" discussions with USCG b/c one of "my" boats is owned by 7 people so we put it in a corporation, and the title/registration says this, but it is not a commercial or fore-hire venture. It can confuse the authorities, though.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

Freeloaders are the reason for the sign in my boat:

"This boat runs on gas, NOT thanks"

 

[highN'dry]

Re: Anyone Take Groups Out For $

Specifically arranging to carry passengers for hire without a captains license and inspected vessel is against the law.

This has nothing to do with sharing the expense, gasoline, food, etc with friends when you and they use your boat. They get the ice, you get the cokes, you and they split the fuel, etc, entirely legal.