Another wet idiot...

Seaboo2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 25, 2003
Messages
158
I have a habit in the late fall (on nice days) to ride the motorcycle to a local boat ramp and have lunch on the dock (no ones there and it's great secenery).<br /><br /> Well one day I rode there (in full leathers as it was cool) and was eating a burger when a (nice, new) landcruiser pulls up towing a nice (fairly new) boat. This guy (who by his dress and attitude is a "yuppie"), goes about preping for launch (trying his best not to even get a toe wet). He unloads the boat while his wife sits in the truck (via his order). He walks the boat down the dock (holding a bow line) till the come to a pole that he needs to walk the rope around to get to the cleat... I offer to help (I'm on the other side of the pole and even hold my hand out to recieve the rope) He states "I'VE GOT IT!!!" so I move out of the way... As he is passing the rope to himself, a strong breeze comes up and pushes the boat away from the dock (far and fast) (along with the rope he was holding on to). He looks around, cusses, jumps into the water and swims to his boat. He gets in the boat and reaches into his pocket for the keys..... Not there, They are at the lake bottom.<br /> He swims the boat back to the dock (I again offer to help with the boat and he blows me off). He loads the boat (he is a pretty shade of blue about this time) cusses his wife, gets into the (nice) vechicle DRIPPING wet (he didn't even have a towel in the car)and flies out of there.<br /><br /> I thought it kinda poetic considering his attitude and poor planning.
 

Gadgetman

Cadet
Joined
Feb 5, 2003
Messages
17
Re: Another wet idiot...

Seems like alot of work just to launch a boat.Some people never learn though.They will go through the same crazy routine month after month.You try to give them advice,but they know better.<br />As far as getting wet,thats why I use a boat,so I don't have to get wet. :D
 

dmessy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
505
Re: Another wet idiot...

Sounds like he was a little too proud to take help when its offered. Hopefully, this incident will change his tune...probably not :D
 

Just Learning

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 28, 2003
Messages
33
Re: Another wet idiot...

What a study in personality types :D <br />If any of yall see me on the lake doing something stupid, or about to, PLEASE help me. :p
 

ebbtide176

Commander
Joined
Jan 22, 2002
Messages
2,289
Re: Another wet idiot...

too bad he didn't have a trollin motor... but a good ending to a story of a bad attitude towards others.
 

speed29668

Seaman
Joined
Apr 30, 2002
Messages
74
Re: Another wet idiot...

Sounds like the guy had a lousy attitude. It bothers me when people get in the way at the boat ramp though when help isn't needed. I appreciate offers when I really do need a hand, but it bugs me when people just walk up and want to handle your boat for you. There are some who offer a hand to honeslty help, and then there are some who offer "advice" just to be a know-it-all or they try to take over your own boat.
 

Fishbusters

Ensign
Joined
Apr 20, 2002
Messages
921
Re: Another wet idiot...

I don't agree with the way things went down because I feel the boat owner could have done a few things to prevent this problem. I do have to stick up for the boat owner and him not letting someone he did not know take a hand in controling his boat even if it was just on the end of a rope. He could have asked wife to help if she was willing but other than mine or real close friends no one even needs to offer to help me because I would prefer to do something stupid all on my own rather than have someone help me into a situation where I feel even stupider for letting them help. Maybe it is a local thing but most fellows I know are the same even when it comes to friends that own thier own boats helping you with yours.
 

ebbtide176

Commander
Joined
Jan 22, 2002
Messages
2,289
Re: Another wet idiot...

i understand that too PFB. its a shame people can't have more trust. ah the good ole days (sorry, just had to add that - as if there were days any better than tomorrow)
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: Another wet idiot...

I too am a little leary about someone else besides me and the wife handling the boat.<br />It's bad enough if you do something stupid to it, but a lot more dumb if you let someone else do something to it.<br />Hey ebb, no day is better than today, cause you woke up and still here. :D <br />Who knows about tomorrow. :)
 

Seaboo2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 25, 2003
Messages
158
Re: Another wet idiot...

Good point about handling someones else's boat, but just to clarify, I wouldn't of been moving the boat around an object, just the rope around an object that he couldn't get around without it being a large pain in the butt for him. I also live in a small mountain community (I'm talking about the type that you (literally) leave your keys in the car at the boat ramp (store, gas station, ect.) and not be concerned about it.
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: Another wet idiot...

This is something I never really gave any thought about. But I can see both points of view here. Like Seaboo2 I live in a small community and where she herself and I launch, everyone pretty much knows everyone and there never seems to be much problem with help when you need it. Interesting how attitudes are different from large populated areas to small communities like mine. Seems like the denser the population, the further apart people are.
 

Barely_Legal

Cadet
Joined
Mar 6, 2003
Messages
16
Re: Another wet idiot...

The boat owner was probably thinking to himself, "what the hell does a biker know about boating?". <br />Now if you were riding a Harley, he might have let you help outta fear.<br /><br />I myself, usually back up the trailer with hubby in boat and don't pull the trailer out of the water until I'm sure the boat starts. After many years of looking stupid at the boat lauch, we discovered who was best at what.<br /><br />This dummy would have been better off if he let his wife help. But since he chose to be a know-it-all, he got what he deserved.
 

fishfearme

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 11, 2003
Messages
39
Re: Another wet idiot...

seaboo, What a great story. THe wife and I have formed a club of sorts at our local boat ramp. There are about 12 of us from age 25 to 85 that go to the ramp every sunday just to watch the free show. We have a "No help rule" that is we will not help unless asked or if we see someone is going to get hurt. We have made some great friends, and also learn quite allot about boating (we have a small bay boat, all of our "ramp friends" are boaters), and especialy what not to do at the boat ramp. I am suprised at the ignorance of some people, and the arrogance when it comes to the kind of folks you described. One thing I have learned, Women will accept help 99% of the time. Men will accept help only when they are past the point of no return usally. <br /><br />So on any sunday afternoon, you may see us, young an old, lawnchairs, coolers, strollers, and various other gadgets, sitting at the seawall, observing the great range of entertainment, from manatee crunchers to canoes with trolling motors. What a country!!
 
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