Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

[johnsonjam02]

Everyone wants to drive the boat but no one offers to buy gas. All of my friends knew I was changing the grease in the lower unit today and fixing a hose. No one showed up until they were sure I was done and ready to take the boat out.
When someone invites me to go boating I show up early to help get the boat ready and with a 5 gallon can of gas, my own life jacket, a 12 pack of Mountain Dew, a bag of beef jerky, and a pack of cigars.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Need to make it clear to your friends that it isn't a free ride. If you haven't made that clear, how are they to know you want money or help replacing parts.

Its not a rule that if your invited on a boat that you have to chip in. Is it nice when people do, sure. But if you insist that this must happen, then you need to make it clear.

Alot of people, "including some tha own a boat" Have not a clue of what it costs to run one and keep it maintained. Good luck

 

[shelsea]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

i always ffer gas money... My hubby alwaays offers help if need be.... I hate that individuals don' t think of it o their own,...come on is it that hard
to understand?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

A famous Traditional Quote goes...

You Will Only Get What You Ask For!

Friend who only take, are not called Friends, they are called Parasites.

It is better to give than receive, Make them Happy. Make them Give!
When they show up, TELL them you need gas money, $10 a head, cheaper than a movie!
If they don't show up next week, you have identified the parasites!

 

[johnsonjam02]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

I was just venting. My expectations are probably a little high. They did all text me and thank me and said they had a good time. I think I will start out small. Threat them like children. Tell them even if they are not thirsty now they will be before we get back to town and ask them to bring a bottle of water and a bottle of soda each.
Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Install a dollar bill slot in the dash, the kind that accepts 10's and 20's.

 

[johnsonjam02]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Probably best to ask for gas money instead of gas. My cheap friends would probably bring E85 lol!

 

[johnsonjam02]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

 

[Randy Lahey]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Everyone wants to drive the boat but no one offers to buy gas. All of my friends knew I was changing the grease in the lower unit today and fixing a hose. No one showed up until they were sure I was done and ready to take the boat out.
When someone invites me to go boating I show up early to help get the boat ready and with a 5 gallon can of gas, my own life jacket, a 12 pack of Mountain Dew, a bag of beef jerky, and a pack of cigars.

wanna be friends?

 

[johnsonjam02]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

I will be your friend and let you drive my boat if you are left handed.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Get a giant plaque that quotes "This boat don't run on thanks". You can find them at the boat supply stores. Along with all sexy women must check in with the captain.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

wait till you get the ones who lose all your tackle. (hint: tackle is a good thing to give a boat owner--can always use sinkers, rigs, etc.)

 

[jopes]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

I got a boat last year. And yet people still don't want to go out and fish. I am just happy to have company out there with me. I don't ask, but most have always tossed me money for fuel.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

there are frequently long discussions here about having boat guests pay or otherwise help out with expenses. The responses will range from those who say, "I'm going anyway and it's my pleasure" to those who appreciate help, whether $, goods (ice, beer, etc.) or sweat equity, and then to those who charge as if it were a launch service. There is no right answer of course, except perhaps that no one wants to be taken advantage or for granted.

One important aspect is that if you charge people, even for gas, as a condition of taking them out, you put your insurance at risk b/c you are now a "commercial operation." i know that is highly technical and unrealistic, but that's how people get after a serious boating accident. BTDT. So be subtle.

If you are the kind of person who likes taking friends out, and you have friends in the first place, boating is supposed to be a relaxing social event, no different than having people over for a cook-out. Take the same approach. BYOB or my keg? Everyone bring something, or just come? Both ways work.

I don't think I would enjoy the company of someone who displayed a rude sign in the boat demanding money; I know he would not be satisfied with whatever I contribute. It's a great device for those who like to spend time alone; I bet their wives are happy they are out in a boat somewhere, too.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Well, I did put a sign in my boat, that says. "THIS BOAT RUNS ON GAS NOT THANKS". I enjoy it when people want to go out on the lake. I don't even mind cleaning the boat up by myself, furnishing the lifejackets, drinks, etc. BUT like the above poster said. Just let them witness filling the boat up, and the cost. If they are paying attention, their eyes will open right up !!!!!

 

[shrew]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Unfortunately, you are probably going to have to readjust your mindset and expectations. Ask yourself if you bought the boat with the intention of having people help with labor and operating expenses. Are you inviting your friends to join you because you anticipate their assistance with labor and operating expenses? You own a boat. You bought it to use it. You also have friends. You invite them because you enjoy spending time with them. These are mutually exclusive topics in my opinion. You can always ask for help with work or gas. However, your friends didn't buy a boat. Expect that some friends will simply opt not to go out with you if it costs them money. I'm sure many will pitch in if you ask, but expect someone to decline the request. What do you do then?

When I invite friends, I assume that I would be using the boat regardless. If someone offeres money for gas, it is usually only enough to get the boat to the gas dock. I decline and say, why don't you pick up 'lunch' or 'dinner, or 'drinks at the bar later'.

 

[hog88]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

You just need to get used to it or find new friends. In 13 years of boat ownership I can count on 1 hand the times I have been offered gas money. We are going to be on the lake with or without them so it's not that big of a deal to us. What gets under my skin is when the friends show up (with their kids) with nothing to eat or drink. We have simply moved on from those people, a owing a boat will show you who your friends are and what they are not.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

Everyone wants to drive the boat but no one offers to buy gas. All of my friends knew I was changing the grease in the lower unit today and fixing a hose. No one showed up until they were sure I was done and ready to take the boat out.

When someone invites me to go boating I show up early to help get the boat ready and with a 5 gallon can of gas, my own life jacket, a 12 pack of Mountain Dew, a bag of beef jerky, and a pack of cigars.

The key question in the Friends on the Boat issues would be....

Are you inviting them out on the boat? Or, are they inviting themselves?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

When I invite friends, I assume that I would be using the boat regardless. If someone offeres money for gas, it is usually only enough to get the boat to the gas dock. I decline and say, why don't you pick up 'lunch' or 'dinner, or 'drinks at the bar later'.

Fully agree. I don't ask anyone to pitch in for fuel oil for the furnace when we entertain them at our home. Why should we ask them for money or labor when I entertain them on the boat?

Having said that, most of the people we “entertain” understand the cost of boat ownership and ask to pitch in. Usually, we ask them to bring food and drinks for everyone but quite often they will offer some money for gas.

If we’re out fishing, we usually just split the cost to refill the tank when we get back to the dock.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Now that I have a boat everyone wants to be my friend.

If I invite someone I expect nothing.
If they ask to come along they have raised my expectations and always show up with a nice packed cooler withfood and bevies or fuel money.