I am at a loss for words

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: I am at a loss for words

lighten up guys; it's a joke. Like "Trespassers will be violated." Until they really do set some boats loose, it's not an issue.
Who would leave his boat unattended and tied to a strange dock? Someone who needs the extra warning, that's who. Those of us who don't need the warning, just laugh it off.

Yeah you are right. But that sign has "I am better than you are" written all over it, That sets the wrong tune from the get go.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: I am at a loss for words

lighten up guys; it's a joke. Like "Trespassers will be violated." Until they really do set some boats loose, it's not an issue.
Who would leave his boat unattended and tied to a strange dock? Someone who needs the extra warning, that's who. Those of us who don't need the warning, just laugh it off.

Well said Home Cookin.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: I am at a loss for words

Don't really see the issue. I think the sign is mainly meant as a joke/attention grabber. Private means private and these people obviously felt the need to make sure everyone knew it. Really don't think it's anything to get upset about it. Also what exactly illegal about this??

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: I am at a loss for words

So how many boat's do you think they dealt with on a regular basis before they decided to put that sign up. I bet it was a regular occurance for either ingnorant boaters or inconsiderate boaters to be clogging up that dock. Odds are that the sign has reduced that problem significantly.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: I am at a loss for words

Not to throw a monkey in the wrench

but there are circumstances where it has to be done.


We were out on the lake one day and a storm came in FAST. lighting, thunder driving rain and howling wind. we were heading south but we had another 7 miles before we reached our dock we were not going to make it. We had four kids under 7 years old in a 21 foot bowrider (no top). I turned into an inlet, powered through the no wake zone and into the first empty dock I found. Was I jerk for breaking the rules? Thats a matter of opinion. People's safety come before property ownership.

If I had a breakdown or an emergency I don't care what sign they have up.

some might say a lack of planning and observance of the weather might be more to blame, and isn't an excuse to break other laws.

 

[timdan94]

Re: I am at a loss for words

If that was my dock I wouldn't cut their boat loose I'd tow it out to the middle of the lake and anchor it for them so when they came back they could see it. If they needed a ride out to get it that would cost them about $300. Or I'd use a chain and padlock and lock the boat to the dock then charge them to unlock it.

 

[lowkee]

Re: I am at a loss for words

If that was my dock I wouldn't cut their boat loose I'd tow it out to the middle of the lake and anchor it for them so when they came back they could see it. If they needed a ride out to get it that would cost them about $300.

You, sir, are a creative genius!

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: I am at a loss for words

I don't know what state that sign is in or even the marine/boating laws are there. But, it seems to me that there are laws intended to provide for the safety of vessels seeking protection from danger such as storms or other (?). As well as someone having mentioned that untying the boat and letting drift into the path of moving boats would subject them to potentially huge lawsuits. Also, I know that in Florida, the water belongs to the state. As long as the boat is on the water and not on the dock, there is little you can do. (unless you happen to own the bay bottom, which is rare).

When we were building in the Keys, the first thing we would complete is the dock (curb/water appeal). We would always find people tied up to our dock with excuse "it's on the water". Signs posted "Private Property" meant little to the often way overloaded cuban skiffs.

I did like the comment that someone should replace the sign with "Free Dock Space - Short Term and Long Term"

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: I am at a loss for words

If that was my dock I wouldn't cut their boat loose I'd tow it out to the middle of the lake and anchor it for them so when they came back they could see it. If they needed a ride out to get it that would cost them about $300. Or I'd use a chain and padlock and lock the boat to the dock then charge them to unlock it.

I must admit, that is a great solution to fix the problem.

 

[skargo]

Re: I am at a loss for words

lighten up guys; it's a joke. Like "Trespassers will be violated." Until they really do set some boats loose, it's not an issue.
Who would leave his boat unattended and tied to a strange dock? Someone who needs the extra warning, that's who. Those of us who don't need the warning, just laugh it off.

DINGDINGDING, no ned to get butthurt over an obvious joke. I mean, is there a record of them constantly setting boats adrift? Highly unlikely.

Now someone who would actually set a boat adrift is scum.

 

[notaz3]

Re: I am at a loss for words

I see it as a joke and kind of like it. I?m sure the owner of the dock would not be so irresponsible as to actually set a boat adrift, but they also want to keep people off their dock.

 

[eastont]

Re: I am at a loss for words

Don't forget where it is.......New Hampshire, and what their state motto is

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: I am at a loss for words

some might say a lack of planning and observance of the weather might be more to blame, and isn't an excuse to break other laws.

Who needs an excuse to break laws???

 

[Kracken]

Re: I am at a loss for words

The law here is simple.

1. Nobody owns the water. Everybody has the right to use the lake right up to the high water line.

2. A private dock is private property.

Therefore boaters and shore line property owner must learn to respect each other?s rights. If a boater goes on the shore up to the high water mark for recreational purposes, they may be legally in the right, however they are not respecting the property owner. If you are a property owner and you put a sign like that on your dock ?threatening the boaters property?, you are instigating and inviting controversy.

 

[Kracken]

Re: I am at a loss for words

some might say a lack of planning and observance of the weather might be more to blame, and isn't an excuse to break other laws.

Some would be wrong.

There are many safe boaters that have lost lives and property due to conditions beyond their control. Sometimes planning and observance is not enough.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: I am at a loss for words

Im with the people who get that it is only meant for intimidation.

Its like this... how many of you are parents and have said to your kid "your grounded for the rest of your life" or "knock it off or else i'll put my foot so far up your arse"

come on, we've all made "idle threats" before. ever followed through? no. but for all intents and purposes, if you were to "ground" a kid for the rest of their life, after they turned 18 you would be going to jail for false imprisonment. imagine the legalities if you literally put your foot in someones arse???


same thing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I am at a loss for words

Enlighten me. I've lived on the water all my life and have never seen or heard of someone tying his boat up to another person's dock and leaving it there unattended.
In fact, I don't think I've seen or heard of someone tying up to someone else's dock and sitting there in the boat--why would you? Maybe if you don't have an anchor.
Now, maybe a commercial dock near a public dock might be confused with a place to tie up, to run across the street to a store or restaurant. But when you walk off a private dock you are in someone's yard. Then what?

 

[Jahkneefive]

Re: I am at a loss for words

I've had people park on my dock twice and both times they came back to find a chain and padlock securing their boat to my dock. I left a note that said "just wanted to make sure your boat was secure and would be here when you got back". I have a townhome with a SINGLE slip, so when someone parks in it, I have nowhere else to put my boat. What irks me even more is I have a lift and people just pull in far enough to tie off but not be over my lift bunks...as if I can lift my boat over their and put it on the lift...

Our docks are marked private, but there is a restuarant down the street, so when their docks get full people just think they can park on the "grass" down the canal.

As far as what I did being legal, both times they called the cops and the cops showed up and informed the people that while it was technically extortion(I charge a $25 lock fee), if they pressed the matter I could simply have them arrested for trespassing and at the very least booked and taken downtown. So cops advised them that it was best for them to work it out with me so they would not have to get involved.

 

[lowkee]

Re: I am at a loss for words

Don't forget where it is.......New Hampshire, and what their state motto is

"Live smoke free or fine" .. or something close

 

[Kracken]

Re: I am at a loss for words

I've had people park on my dock twice and both times they came back to find a chain and padlock securing their boat to my dock. I left a note that said "just wanted to make sure your boat was secure and would be here when you got back". I have a townhome with a SINGLE slip, so when someone parks in it, I have nowhere else to put my boat. What irks me even more is I have a lift and people just pull in far enough to tie off but not be over my lift bunks...as if I can lift my boat over their and put it on the lift...

Our docks are marked private, but there is a restuarant down the street, so when their docks get full people just think they can park on the "grass" down the canal.

As far as what I did being legal, both times they called the cops and the cops showed up and informed the people that while it was technically extortion(I charge a $25 lock fee), if they pressed the matter I could simply have them arrested for trespassing and at the very least booked and taken downtown. So cops advised them that it was best for them to work it out with me so they would not have to get involved.

Nice solution Jahkneefive,

Better that the cops back you up. But in these hard times you should make it $50.00.