do boaters help boaters?

[avenger79]

ok here's my question for all of you "old salts"
from some of my posts many of you know i run a lot in atv and motorcycle circles. they are my first love.
when i go wheeling i usually leave my ramps and tools in the bed of my truck. if someone needs to use them they do. if someone needs help with their quad and i can help i do. i've given kids gear to keep them safe.(only requirement is that they wear it). helped people avoid the dnr tickets etc.
motorcycles the same, in fact once a guy was here from the south. crashed his bike and broke his arm. i offered to haul his bike home for him on my trailer. free of charge. Didn't know him just wanted to help. everyone who rides and knows me, knows if you go down and need your ride hauled call me the truck is ready to go.
in the boating world i haven't yet met anyone like that. if you get towed in before you can thank the guy he has his hand out for money. if you look at a boat they are trying to hide things. took my boat to a shop and got totally screwed by their service dept.
just wondering if i haven't met the better part of boaters or if i'm just too critical of what others consider the norm?
you guys seem to want to help people here on the site but what if you seen them in person? would you get your hands dirty on someones motor and not ask for money?
i seen a fellow drop his trailer with boat on it in a ramp lot. he had a broken back. everyone in the lot laughed at him until i went over to help lift the trailer up on his truck. what gives? i mean he and i laughed about it to, after it was on the truck. i guess the difference was i felt as though i laughed with him not at him.
just random thoughts. this year i'm hoping to either get my old boat running better or maybe try a newer version. i want to keep going the boat direction but really half the fun of any hobby is enjoying the people. i just want to know there's better people out there that i just haven't bumped into yet.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

it is the LAW, that a captain, help a distress boat, "to his ability". That is he is required to the the disabled boat to a safe place.

a calm cove for anchoring, and dock, so they are not drifting. the closest ramp, calling seatow, towboat, any rescue service. you are not required to tow them 10 mile back to their original ramp.

this is the LAW. no charging for this service.

when i see a boat with the hood off. i always make sure they are safe, and have help on the way.

 

[pduquette]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Well I'm no old salt , but i have a salty old boat . I've seen all types on the water , and people vary as much as the boats they float . Me ? I wave to everyone , keep an ear to the vhf and scan arround with the binoc's . Mostly because I love to be out there . I'd do my best to help another boater on the road / ramp / or water . I've seen plenty of fishing 'holes too - and try to do my boyscout best to counter them . My opinion is most of those types increase their bad manners / attitudes with too much alcohol. The most important thing to me is to be friendly , put aside stereotypes and make being out on the water fun for EVERYONE . peter

 

[roscoe]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Boated and biked all my life, just got my first atv.

Quad riders and dirt bikers seem to be the most friendly and helpful to me, this surprised me, as most are younger "kids".

Bikers are so so, unless you are talking about Harley riders, who in general won't even acknowledge another brand, and certainly won't help you.

To me, boaters are kind of a different crowd. Lots seem to "know it all."
I have offered help at launches and on the water. Really can only remember 2 occasions where the offer was accepted and any sort of thanks was offered.

Personally, if the activity may include sunshine and alcohol, I think people get a little "independent."

There are some great boaters out there,met many, but they generally keep to themselves.

Maybe its time to start planning another Wisconsin iboats get together for this summer. Met some fine boaters at the 2 we have had in the past.

And yes, most bike shops seem to take better care of their customers.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

I think it's like that in all walks of life...good with the bad. The yahoo's & bozo's, the uninformed &/or those that chose to remain less knowlegdeable, seem to live in their own little world, where they either don't care, or don't have enough common sense to comprehend that what goe's around comes around and that in turn, leaves them going off on fits of rage when things go wrong for them. On the other hand you have the folks who don't feel as though someone is imposing when in need of assistance. I just hope that those that have been on the receiving end of a hand, remember to pay it forward...as we all know that rough times will surely rise again down the line.....just my thoughts!

 

[avenger79]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Bikers are so so, unless you are talking about Harley riders, who in general won't even acknowledge another brand, and certainly won't help you.


Maybe its time to start planning another Wisconsin iboats get together for this summer. Met some fine boaters at the 2 we have had in the past.

And yes, most bike shops seem to take better care of their customers.

first yeah I know some of those, they're not bikers. they're Harley worshippers. If it doesn't say HD on the tank they won't ride it etc.

I have a Harley and I'll haul or help anything on two wheels, (or 4 dirt wheels) but I ride 'em all as well.

Wis get together might be fun.

 

[NoHo ART]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

i think it does not mater what your in to there is always going to be nice guys and D/B's here is a couple of scenarios:
my car battery died on me in the bank parking lot i called AAA before they could get there some guy came up with his jumper battery asked me if i needed a jump? sure why not! once all was done i come to shake his hand he said $20 im like what ??? give me $20 what ever i gave it to him and drove straight to the parts store and got my self on of those. since then i have let people use it and every time they try to give me money for it and are surprised that i wont accept it


when i got my first boat 2.5 years ago i had never towed a trailer before in my life. my brother in-law and me go straight to be marina to lunch it and try it out... takes me 45 minutes to lunch it while the ramp is full of boaters but non of em try to help me out .... it comes time to retrieve the boat and i try for 15 minutes and cant get it done so my brother in-law picks the trailer up and walks backwards in to the water while there is like 20 people on the ramp laughing in stead of helping... since that day i have offered my help to every single boater i have seen that has trouble lunching or retrieving.
90% of the time if its a guy driving the car he has refused my help
99% of the time if it was a woman driving she was so glad that i offered my help and has accepted.


once while i was solo while i was retrieving my bot and had to climb of the boat to drive the car out of the water this older guy told me to just trow him my keys and not to get my feet wet. i tough that was one of the nicest things someone had done for me ... it turned out a few weeks before to this day i had helped his wife lunch his boat while he was in the boat

so treat others the way you want to be treated.
some times people don't know any better until it happens to them.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

I try to help whereever it seems needed. However, I am continually suprised by the people who won't admit they need help, especially when it's most obvious that they do. On the other hand, it's funny when they try to make it MY fault they ran out of gas,or they can't back a trailer or whatever is the ailment of the day.

 

[rbh]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Do onto others as you would like done to you, you know what I mean.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

I try to help anyone that needs it, boat, bike, car, or a bag of dropped groceries.....and I even ride a Harley.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

most of the rude ones have never heard of a boaters safety class. one day it is going to come, that there will be licenses for boats. just like the drivers license. also remember to have a "Help" "distress" flag on your boat. if not and have a U.S. flag. turn it upside down.
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ReviewPages/BoatUSF/Project/info2f.htm

 

[marlboro180]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Well, I guess it is a crapshoot out there. Been on the water since a kid and have helped out many a folk, and many have helped me. I was even one of those SHT dead boat battery / no jumper cable guys at the dock and a fella who was waiting to launch said No problem, I got cables for you and we used his truck to jump the old tub. Some would have not been so generous or understanding.

I guess I usually live by the Pay It Forward principal, but not all do.

Most boaters I have met around WI are quite friendly and generous with their time and knowledge. Bikers as well..On the quad thing, nice of you to help out so much there too, though I do not know that crowd.

WI get together? hmmmm......sounds good.

 

[JB]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Well, I have been messing about in boats for most of the last 60 years and have seen some of the best and some of the worst behavior from boaters with respect to other boaters.

I think one incident is an excellent example of iboaters responding to another boat in distress.

Several years ago (don't ask me how many. . .they all sort of run together at my age) iboats moderators and management gathered in Galveston to discuss how we could make this an even better place to visit.

We took an afternoon off to go fishing. LadyFish and Mr. LadyFish hosted the trip on their boat. We went out into the bay and were drifting about not catching much, but having a grand time enjoying one another's company.

Then Admin5 pointed out another boat with two elderly couples in it that seemed to be in distress. Mr. LadyFish motored over to see if we could help.

Their outboard wouldn't start; just cranking away. "Let me take a look at it." said Walleyehed. So we pulled alongside and Walleyehed climbed into the other boat.

After 5 or 10 minutes of poking about he started their outboard, then spent a few more minutes explaining to the operator what had been wrong and how to not do that again.

He clambered back into the Ladyfish's boat and refused any compensation, only asking that they help out some other boater some day.

I have not seen that spirit in all boaters all of my life, but I can assure you it is the spirit of iboaters.

Are you an iboater?

 

[madgadget]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

First ever time I went out on my boat were in shallow waters and the tilt/trim hydraulic pipe split dropping in to the water and the boat got stuck. It was low tide coming in and slowly we started to move and paddled back, as soon as the water was deep enough a small rib came along side and asked us if we wanted a tow back. I offered a little money and he flatly refused. That was my first experience, so far so good.

I'll always do anything I can to help anyone be it car/boat whatever. Blokes it seems don't very often like to be helped blokes with partners are better and women always thankful. Guess its just the world we live in, but I try not to be like that.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

I can only remember one occasion where I saw a boater in distress and did not offer direct assistance. A boat had missed a channel marker and damaged his prop and rudder (no power or steering) when he went out of the channel. After this the current pulled him into the rocks he hailed me and asked me to pull him off and give a tow back to port. After looking at the whole situation I decided that trying to help him would endanger my passengers and my boat, and creating more victims in a dangerous situation helps no one. I did call the coast guard and vessel assist. While waiting for them to respond to the scene I continued to observe from a safe distance in case the situation changed.

I have also helped out more boaters than I can count with everything from catching dock lines to giving someone a tow. I have never once accepted compensation for helping anyone for two main reasons. First and most important I would hope that if I were in need of help that someone would do the same for me. Second in most states the second you accept any compensation you are no longer shielded by good Samaritan laws (someone stubs a toe while you are towing them and they sue you).

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

I went through my biker phase ...... have owned many brands and types but never a HD.... I have been a boater since I was an infant....my Dad had a 23' Barbour with twin outboards and basically have been with boats all my life.

Now I am into boats, ATV's and grandchildren

I have wrenched on boats, bikes, atv's car's trucks, heavy equipment and have even changed a packs (former Army will understand that )

Since participating here on iboats (only a couple months shy of JB) I am happy to say I have met many many members and would not hesitate to help anyone... I guess it is my nature. I doubt you will find a better family of people anywhere. When I have helped boater's I talk about iboats and it is even a bigger thrill when you find out they are members here.

 

[lowkee]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

if not and have a U.S. flag. turn it upside down.
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ReviewPages/BoatUSF/Project/info2f.htm

I would be worried I would get something thrown at me, or worse, if I did that. Some people take that flag, its condition and positioning, reeeaaally seriously.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

it is the LAW, that a captain, help a distress boat, "to his ability". That is he is required to the the disabled boat to a safe place.

a calm cove for anchoring, and dock, so they are not drifting. the closest ramp, calling seatow, towboat, any rescue service. you are not required to tow them 10 mile back to their original ramp.

this is the LAW. no charging for this service.

when i see a boat with the hood off. i always make sure they are safe, and have help on the way.

Newbie question: Is that a US Coast guard law applicable in all 50 states on all
bodies of water?

 

[642mx]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

I've raced motocross and hare scrambles my whole life. I've met good and bad folks at these events. Some will loan you a $5,000 bike and some will steal your bike if you turn your back on it.

With that said, I'm fairly new to boating (only a couple years of owning my own). Most people I've met are fairly friendly.... but I've ran into a couple of them that will cut in line at the launch, try to avoid paying ramp fee's, etc, etc..

I guess there are good and bad folks no matter where you go... personally, I will and have helped out other boaters. I've been towed in myself and know what it feels like when your stranded! I would never ask for a dime either.

 

[JB]

Re: do boaters help boaters?

Newbie question: Is that a US Coast guard law applicable in all 50 states on all
bodies of water?

That is international law of the sea, Swabber.