Any Lady Boaters Out There?

[flamingo1227]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

Our boat is in a slip. We trailered for one year in an 18' open bow, but found that we used the boat a lot less since if the weather wasn't looking good, we just stayed home. With the boat in a slip, we pretty much go out every weekend, and if the weather is crappy we find something else to do until it clears up. We have also made some great friends at the marina. My husband is 58 and I'm 48.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

My admiral loves being out on the boat. She is a bit uncomfortable driving it especially when the lake is crowded but she can do it. I made sure of that JUST in case something happens to me (we are both 58) so she can get us back, and tied up, to the dock. She is also a bit uncomfortable backing the truck down the ramp. But, she does want to "participate" in the process. So, at the prep area, she handles the transom straps, checks to make sure I didn't forget the plug before we left the house, loads the cooler, etc while I am putting out the fenders and lines. Then I back it down, undo the winch strap and safety chain, she takes hold of the lines, I back the rest of the way into the water, pop the boat off and she secures the lines to the dock, puts the blower on, while I park the trailer. She also handles the helm when I am setting the anchor. When we come back in, I dock it and get the trailer. I back the trailer down. Get back to the boat. I idle on to the trailer, lean over the bow, winch it up, secure the safety chain, she gets in the truck and pulls out and drives us to the clean up area (she has no problems driving the truck / trailer .....in forward). This routine works for us and, as I said, she "wants" to be a part of it.

BINGO! Exactly how we do it also. Best part, my wife always prepares great lunchs and brings wine.

 

[dmccaughey]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

I am 30, my husband 29. he usually backs the boat down to launch. I grab the lines and guide it off the trailer. Then he comes and ties it up. I then get out kids out (3,6,8,12) and get their life jackets on. We then load all our gear up together. just recent I started to take the controls while my husband guides me and gives me tips and such. We are usually in salt water in the Katchemak Bay in Alaska. boating is one of our favorite activities as a family. both of us grew up on the water as are our kids. I'm trying to take a more active role in launching and driving because I enjoy it. my husband is a very patient teacher.

 

[jmorgan87]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

We met couple at a USCGA Boating Class in '09 and later seen them at the landing we launch at with their boat. We were shocked that the husband done all the work.........lines, fenders, launching while his wife sat in the vehicle. They had a bowrider, so he could climb up on the trailer tongue and then up into the bow easily. He would float off the trailer and bring the boat over to the dock, tie it up himself and then went and pulled the trailer out of the water and parked. At that time, his wife would get out of the truck and they both got on the boat..........but, he had to untie lines and bring in the fenders before they took off! Guess she was just one of these ladies that would say "we can have a boat, but I'm only going to ride in and that's it!"
Whenever I want to take a look at the engine on ours, while underway, my wife will take over driving the boat. If I want to take a photo or video of something, she will do the same.

I did this exact thing for my ex with a bass boat I had.............except after I tied up the boat and went to park the trailer she stayed by the dock. As I am walking down the walkway she comes running 'The boat is sinking!'..

I had forgot the drain plug...Doh!

Every girl i've ever dated while having a boat, loved being on the boat. None have gotten into the actual driving, docking, launching, loading..let alone maintnence though..

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

Anymore ladies out there that love boats/boating as much as my wife does? I'm so, so glad that she helps me with the launching, retrieving, keeping a lookout for stuff in the water and tying up at the dock! She makes a great First Mate or even better.....a great Admiral!

 

[sasto]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

Mine didn't much till she met me. At first I think she figured that if she wanted to spend any time with me she better get used to it. Nowdays, I trust her at the helm just as much, or more than anybody.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

My wife (the first mate) loves boating and fishing and does every thing I do, tends to be a little shy of docking if it is busy or windy but thats ok. She is early 50s and I am late 50s and we plan on a lot more enjoyable years on the water.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

Love to see that the ladies helping out at the helm and other places with the boat! However, there are some ladies out there that think boating and fishing is for men only, so they stay at home. Then again, there are men out there that don't want their wife or gf to go fishing period. I met three young Bucks at a local ramp one time that had just got back from fishing. I asked them "so, where are the ladies?" and one dude looked at me and said "at home where they're suppose to be!". I had a remark all ready for that comment but decided not to start something. I simply said, "oh, ok" and left it at that.
Later, after I told my wife what the dude said, her reaction was "he said what about his wife?"

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

My wife pilots the boat as much as me. I love riding in the bow and relaxing.

We have a slip now, but when we trailered she always would be in the boat at launch and come get me at the courtesy dock after I parked the truck. Same on the retrieve, she would drop me off at the dock and come in when I had the trailer in the water. We were the envy of all the other couples on the ramp!

Now my daughter has the bug, and sometimes she'll take me on a short ride and I have never touche the helm. Did I mention she's 13? A lady boater in waiting.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

If you want to give a young girl (or boy) the confidence, strngth and ability to deal with all the social mess of junior high, get her into a sailing program early. The learning, healthy competition, cooperation and teamwork, physical and mental work, all make them better grounded. The fact that it can be miserable (a hot still day; a dunk in cold water), tiring, requiring boat cleaning and maintenance, add to the reward and the pride.

It may be too late for wives and girlfriends, but our children need it. There is almost nothing a man does on a boat that a woman can't. I never understand the guys who keep their female companions helpless--or let them choose to be that way. And 90% of the conflicts seem to center around the ramp.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Any Lady Boaters Out There?

My wife was wondering how many ladies out there enjoy boating as much as she does?

I don't know any women that enjoy boating as much as your wife. Well, maybe I do, how much does she enjoy it?