People wanting to go out on your boat...

[jonesg]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

Take a walk down any jetty and chat with a fishman, theres no shortage of those who would LOVE to get invited out.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

See thats what bothers me, I can find people and have. But this group of friends have been my close friends for a long time. We have pool parties at my house all the time, they are always wanting to do something etc... It's only when I mention the boat that they simply ignore me until it's too late. I really was expecting this group of people to be excited and ready to use it, and in turn they show little to no interest.

I guess it could be they truly aren't and never were fans of the water and just don't want to flat out say that. It's really a shame though, as I was hoping my closest friends would actually enjoy the boat, seeing as for the past 3 years that was more or less the largest topic come summer time.

I have a few other friends with boats, and we will be doing day/weekend trips etc... It just seems like it would be fun having a handful of my close friends out for a day rafted up, swimming, eating and having a good time.

 

[seaboo]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

My "issue" with this, boils down to the fact that I am still new at docking the boat. I like having a peron up front (two if possible) and at least one with the lines in the cockpit when I'm backing into the slip. If/when I get more practice it won't be a concern but as it stands, I don't have the confidence to dock the boat, more or less on my own. Now granted, it might sound like my friend dont want to come and have to "stand guard" or hold dock lines, but I have never mentioned these things, and those that have done it for me, have no complaints.

I guess it boils down to things sound good on paper, but when you have to commit and it's real, their opinions change.

I know what you are saying, I have 2 friends (a girl and her boyfriend) that I am GOOD friends with (we hang out alot together, ect) that we ALWAYS mention going out on the boat but it just never happens (they honestly want to, faces light up when we talk about it, ect). I think it's a matter of summertime is full of projects, ect. and some people just have other activities, projects, desires that take precedence over a day on the water.

On the docking solo, I'm with you. I do that alot (I'll take the boat from the slip and my gf meets me @ the land --a mile from where I dock). It is a pain, practice makes it less of a pain, but it's still a pain. One thing that helped me was getting a boat hook. I can go in the slip, secure the stern off, go up on the bow (that is drifting @ this point as there is always a slight current where I'm at) grab the dock with the hook, get the bow where it should be and secure it. looks good and is effective (I have a 2 person slip and can do this solo and NEVER get near the boat docked beside me).

If you do it enough, you will find your "rhythm or sequence" to docking and tying off solo.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

I've invited friends (who were all excited at the thought of boating) multiple times and have never had anyone come, it seems that people get themselves so wrapped up in other scheduled things (kids sporting events, kid bday parties, pro sports events, etc) that they never have time to relax. We don't sign our kids up for all the sports and stuff during the spring/summer, we figure that is the perfect season for family time/family outings. I also think that the heat has something to do with it, my friends all think we're nuts that we'll go out boating on a sunny 90*+ day.. I love the outdoors and warm weather.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

Mustang, you have posted a detailed question and many many detailed replies. The answer is obvious. Those people whom you want to take out, do not want to go out on a boat. End of story. Question answered.
Why? because boating isn't for everyone (whatever your form of "boating" is). Your friends like pool parties. THEY DO NOT LIKE RIDING IN YOUR BOAT.

If my friend Tom, who I love spending time with, including fishing, invited me to be his guest for all day golf or Nascar, I would say no, thank you, every time (I repeat, every time) because I do not want to do those things, especially with limited time and better alternatives. In fact, if he said, "Let's drive 2 hours to go tubing all day on a crowded lake" I'd say no, but I'll go fishing in the bay instead.

 

[dingbat]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

Let?s look at this from a non-boater?s perspective.
My wife isn't a boater. She goes out maybe once or twice a year to satisfy me. Here is her take on it.

How fun is it to be stuck in a small room full of people for several hours and you have no control over the situation, whatsoever. When things get boring and drawn out you cannot simply excuse yourself and go home. You are in for the duration if you like it or not and someone else is in control of the remote.

On top of it, you have physiological part of it. The human mind is preprogrammed to fear water. Drowning are always in the back of people?s minds as is the fear of seasickness. We have three good friends who will not go out on the boat because of the fear of getting seasick. They have never been on a boat, never been seasick, but the fear of getting sick and the public humiliation in doing so curtails their desire to get on any boat.

I have a very good friend of mine that lives on the waterfront and owns 3 boats. I spent years trying to get him to go offshore fishing with us but he always had some kind of an excuse. He finally admitted that he was scared of being that far from land. I know several different people who have never gotten seasick yet get sick as a dog the moment they get out of sight of land. A purely physiological response. The deeply imbeeded fear is real.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

I read a few posts here and there, and the general attitude seems to be everyone has a ton of people who want to head out on their boats. It seems most on here are turning people down on a weekly basis.

My post is in the exact opposite tone. I have a close group of friends that I have known for a long time. When I purchased my 27' project boat, I had them helping me out all the time. A lot of time 3 or 4 guys would be over working on it for hours. Their whole intention was to get it done so we could use it. For a few years this went on. During that time I got a lot of "ribbing" about "going out" on the boat.

Fast forward to this summer and the new boat. No more project, the new one floats, runs and needs nothing but cold beverages and food. On more than one occasion I have asked to spend the day on the boat. I have tried asking in advance, spur of the moment, a few days before etc... Every single time I ask I get NO response. I don't get any answer until I literally confront them in person and flat out ask. This is usually the day before a planned trip and they finally reluctantly say I'm busy, and thats the end of the conversation. This past weekend a friend was down from Boston and called me up Fri to see what everyone was up to. I offered to do a boat ride Sunday, and simply figured I would prepare for it, assuming it wouldn't happen. Once again no response, so I went about my day. My Boston friend did call around 1:00 to let me know he wasn't gonna go, but the 5 others I called/text/emailed ignored it.

So I am posting this to get others feedback. Do you guys experience this? Do you have people who always "talk" about the boat, but when it comes down to it, never go?

BTW as some back up, my boat is docked 15-20 minutes from where we live. Noone would have to do anything other than bring a bathing suit and whatever beverages they preferred. I don't ask for money when taking others out, I simply enjoy the boat and hanging out with friends.

Your situation is exactly what I have happen. My boat is docked, damned if I can ever get anyone on it. They would rather play pinball, computers, work on cars, drink, etc........ Boating alone was fun at first, but now is tiresome and not worth it in my opinion. Or the best one is they say they come and then they set the rules of when to return because of this or that excuse. Yeah, lets all pile on the boat, spend 30 minutes and decide you need to go do somthing else.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: People wanting to go out on your boat...

Mustang, you have posted a detailed question and many many detailed replies. The answer is obvious. Those people whom you want to take out, do not want to go out on a boat. End of story. Question answered.
Why? because boating isn't for everyone (whatever your form of "boating" is). Your friends like pool parties. THEY DO NOT LIKE RIDING IN YOUR BOAT.

If my friend Tom, who I love spending time with, including fishing, invited me to be his guest for all day golf or Nascar, I would say no, thank you, every time (I repeat, every time) because I do not want to do those things, especially with limited time and better alternatives. In fact, if he said, "Let's drive 2 hours to go tubing all day on a crowded lake" I'd say no, but I'll go fishing in the bay instead.

I think I have come to that conclusion. They all show an interest, but deep down really want nothing to do with it. It makes sense, as if they had a desire to go on the boat, we would be out there at some point.

I guess I will extend the invite to those who seem more reliable and enjoy being on the boat, and will wait to see if my closest friends ask about going out at some point.

BTW the docking thing will come with practice. Weekday nights we will have to start going for rides and work on getting her in and out of the slip.