Respect the boat!

[jigngrub]

Re: Respect the boat!

A pre-cruise talk about safety and following the skipper's order without questioning is obviously needed with this family, and a good idea with any passengers.

This is a very good idea with all new passengers!!!

I have it with all my new guests, it shows that this boat isn't run by a democracy... it's run by a monarchy.

The captain is always in charge... and if the crew doesn't want to comply the boat goes back to where the trip started! Start off with the safety features, where the PFD's are stowed, where the fire extinguisher is located, and how to operate the kill switch in case of emergency. Then lead into "I'm the captain of this boat" and everyone aboard is my responsibility and you must do as I say for your own safety.

This means making all little booger eaters under the age of 12 and all non-swimmers wear PFD's all the time, whether they like it or not (yeah, if you're going to have small children on your boat.. you must have PFD's that will fit them, did you think about this when you took the "crew" out?... did you have PFDs that would fit these small children and did you make them wear them? ?This is your responsibility as captain.

Think about all of this stuff before you invite your next guests out... it may save you a law suite if (heaven forbid) things should go sour.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Respect the boat!

Geko45.

I have been there and done that. Hey at least they didn't bring Pop Rocks candy and chocolate. The Pop Rocks turn into an epoxy like substance when it gets in the carpet and the chocolate smears.

 

[Geko45]

Re: Respect the boat!

This means making all little booger eaters under the age of 12 and all non-swimmers wear PFD's all the time, whether they like it or not (yeah, if you're going to have small children on your boat.. you must have PFD's that will fit them, did you think about this when you took the "crew" out?... did you have PFDs that would fit these small children and did you make them wear them? ?This is your responsibility as captain.

Think about all of this stuff before you invite your next guests out... it may save you a law suite if (heaven forbid) things should go sour.

Um, I'm not a complete newb at this. I have PFDs to accomodate the max number of people I can carry on the boat, including children and I insisted that the kids wear them. You shouldn't assume that just because I didnt mention something doesn't mean I didnt do it.

Boating is just one hobby of mine, I am also a pilot and appreciate the importance of assuming responsibility for the safety of my passengers.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Respect the boat!

Or how about a girlfriends sister with her teeny friend, both with temporary tattoos on their backs that transferred all over my bow seat backs! I about flippin died! I really don't miss my Cobalt that much!

 

[Mason78]

Re: Respect the boat!

I have 2 children myself. When we got boating we usually bring snacks as well. I have just accepted that the boat will not remain immaculate after a day on the water.

After we load the boat onto the trailer, we usually have the kids spend 10-15 minutes picking up any mess left behind. It does not get the boat perfect, but it reduces the time I have to spend cleaning.

Plus the kids are somewhat more cognizant of their litter/crumbs when they know they will be picking them up later!

 

[firemachine69]

Re: Respect the boat!

Remember, its just a belonging.

I lent out my little (former) car to a co-worker's daughter last winter (seventeen, exceedingly intelligent and responsible), I was out of town for a month, and experience has long taught me letting a vehicle sit like that unused is bad mojo.

Her mom was freaking out about accidents, damage, and such tripe...

I reminded her the car is replaceable, her daughter wasn't.

Puts things into perspective...

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Respect the boat!

You hear it all the time and see it all the time now. Parents trying to be the kids friends instead be being a authority figure. Kids run wild in stores etc and "parents" seem to be oblivious to it. Many kids want and need discipline. Kids run around annoying and destroying--parent, isn't that cute! or they are too busy texting or talking on the phone to notice
What I find amusing is a mother trying to compete with her daughter in who can look the youngest in dress, hairstyles etc
As for this case, the parent had a perfect chance to teach their kids about respecting other peoples property instead of trying to be like a kid and a friend. Oh well s*** one me once, but never again should be your response

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Respect the boat!

Some spilled potato chips was a disaster?

I've had many friends on even some children on my boat. They had chips, drinks, snacks... There is always wine (yes I've had red wine spills on the carpet already), and tons of food for everyone. I guess I have never made a huge deal on someone making a little mess. I think I wouldn't enjoy the boat if that we're the case.

 

[MJG24]

Re: Respect the boat!

What am I missing here? We have some spilled potato chips... No damage was done...

I think some people ned to lighten up, or always boat alone.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Respect the boat!

I can empathise and it is their kids and parenting style. That said, it is your ship, Captain.

 

[Geko45]

Re: Respect the boat!

Some spilled potato chips was a disaster?

What am I missing here? We have some spilled potato chips... No damage was done...

You are imagining a neat little pile of whole chips sitting on the carpet that could be easily vacummed up. The reality was that the chips got trampled into a thousand itty bitty bits and the wind carried them into every nook and cranny of the boat where they then became a soggy mess. Vaccuming didn't work. I had to pull the cushions and carpet out and hose them off and then spend an hour and a half getting little chip bits out of every crevace of the boat.

So, a short 15 minute trip in the boat resulted in an hour and a half of work for me.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Respect the boat!

It sounds like you are A) too uptight to own a boat and B) too uptight to be around children. I don't like children either...so they don't come near my boat. Either lighten up and vacuum up the chips/clean up the mess or go out on your fancy shmancy boat by yourself. Kids do what kids do and if a spilled bag of chips gets you all up in a tissy....don't bring anyone on your boat.

Sounds to me like no real damage was done to the boat. It seems that you are worried more about kids doing the damage to your boat then you are about having responsible friends/family that would pay for any damages you incurred. If climinb around in the locker caused any damage I would expect someone to pay for it, but otherwise...you seem like you might have a stick up your butt.

Get a crappier boat and have more fun...this is nonsense.

 

[MJG24]

Re: Respect the boat!

You're are imagining a neat little pile of whole chips sitting on the carpet that could be easily vacummed up. The reality was that the chips got trampled into a thousand itty bitty bits and the wind carried them into every nook and cranny of the boat where they then became a soggy mess. Vaccuming didn't work. I had to pull the cushions and carpet out and hose them off and then spend an hour and a half getting little chip bits out of every crevace of the boat.

No, I'm not imagining a simple little spill. Kids spill things. I can't count the number of hours spent cleaning up after tham in my house, cars, and boat. It goes along with the territory.

Wow, man, you need to lighten up. Or, never let children or any guests on your boat.

 

[Geko45]

Re: Respect the boat!

It sounds like you are A) too uptight to own a boat and B) too uptight to be around children.
...

Get a crappier boat and have more fun...this is nonsense.

Meh, I don't think you are any of the other critics here would be reacting any different if it happened to you on your boat.

And as long as we are making personal judgements based on little to no information, you should never be a pilot. You obviously don't have the attention to detail required to do it safely. You can probably barely even go boating safely.

See, not much fun is it?

 

[Geko45]

Re: Respect the boat!

No, I'm not imagining a simple little spill. Kids spill things. I can't count the number of hours spent cleaning up after tham in my house, cars, and boat. It goes along with the territory.

I think I've said this already, but if we had spent a full day on the water then I wouldn't be complaining. I'd expect to have to clean it from top to bottom, but this was only a 15 minute trip. I just don't see how anyone should reasonably expect that kind of mess in that short of time.

 

[MJG24]

Re: Respect the boat!

Geez, Geko, this whole thread is about (you) being critical of others. Then, someone questions you, and you get all defensive, and act like the child that made the mess on your boat.

Wow, no wonder a day on the water with you turns out bad...

 

[MJG24]

Re: Respect the boat!

I think I've said this already, but if we had spent a full day on the water then I wouldn't be complaining. I'd expect to have to clean it from top to bottom, but this was only a 15 minute trip. I just don't see how anyone should reasonably expect that kind of mess in that short of time.

And I don't see how anyone that has been around children for more that 5 minutes could expect otherwise.

 

[Geko45]

Re: Respect the boat!

Really? I come here to vent to fellow boat owners who I think would at least be able to relate to the experience and instead I'm told I have a stick up my butt, that I shouldn't be around kids ever, that I probably don't boat safely, etc, etc. All because I just wanted to blow off a little steam? I've seen a lot of folks on here gripe about a lot less (like someone taking five minutes to long at the ramp), but somehow I'm the Grinch that stole Christmas.

 

[MJG24]

Re: Respect the boat!

Your free to post whatever you want. And you have every right to allow whoever you want on your boat, and have whatever rules on your boat.

Some will agree with you and some won't. I understand your position. IMO, it is very up-tight. No big deal.

Don't post if you don't want an exchange or different views from yours...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Respect the boat!

Meh, I don't think you are any of the other critics here would be reacting any different if it happened to you on your boat.

I ripped out the carpeting in my boat so this kind of stuff wouldn't bother me.

I replaced the carpet with marine vinyl, now I can either sweep up a dry mess with a broom and dust pan or just hose the boat out. Dried fish blood doesn't even stain this stuff.

Soooo much less stress!