Storing alcohol on the boat.

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

There is usually a bottle or two on the boat. Store them in a cabinet and I don't think the heat/cool it goes through will do much to "spoil" it.
 

sasto

Captain
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
3,918
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

I have studied most Eastern Seaboard Regulations, and NC is one of them. There is no open container law on the waterways. Some State Parks and other places may have their own laws. Check your area.

That said. I have Captained 3 vessels that always had liquor and wine onboard. Some of the stuff for years. Although I may not have drank any of it, I have never had a complaint on taste or quality. I currently have a bottle of Captain Morgan onboard my vessel. Been there for a couple years.....in a cabin with no A/C. I fixed a lady a drink recently and she said it was "perfect".

Good Luck!
 

hornblower

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 21, 2009
Messages
35
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

Keep yer grog on board says I and ye'll never be left high and dry.
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

one down-side of open container laws (and really, the tougher enforcement of drinking laws) is that it increases litter, since people are more likely to pitch the evidence. And I usually pick up floating trash, so I may ride around with a whole lot more empties that I started with!
Another reason why an "open container" law doesn't fit for boating--but I did hear of one state (or maybe lake) that has it. You have to check your own, and just be smart about it.

Anyway, I will keep picking up trash, and being discrete and temperate with my drinks.
 

mnypitboat

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 31, 2010
Messages
1,091
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

There is not law against open container in NC, so back to the origional question. YES you can store liquor in the boat. I have accidently done this. Completely forgot it in one of my storage compartments. It was in there for several months since I do not drink liquor, and I took some folks out that do drink it and it turned up and they drank it and it was fine. I dont even have a cabin, it was in the compartment beside the engine back where the batteries are stored.

If you want to test the theory, get yourself a cheap bottle to start out with and give it a try.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

As long as you are not boiling it, you'll be fine. Friend of mine has a full bar in his pontoon and I've never noticed a problem with the quality of the beverages.
 

rallyart

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
1,191
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

Just list where your slip is and I'm sure several of us would be willing to drop in to check on the quality occasionally if you're not there. ;)
 

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

In Canada, or at least here in B.C. I cant speak for any other provinces, as long as a boat has cooking facilities and a toilet it is considered a place of residence, same as a motorhome. Alchol may be stored on board with the seal or case open, it may be consumed while tied up at a public dock but not on the dock. If you are stopped and checked while under way the law generaly looks the other way as long as the driver is not drinking .

+1!!!

If your boat is self contained it is considered your residence per say, the same as a travel trailer or any RV.
Even while underway the guests may consume liquire, but the captain must remain sober as per any driving regs.

As for the question of will your booze last if stored on the boat, Yes to the hard stuff, Not so good for beer as it has a Shelf life.
And do not store open wine, once you crack the cork, down'er!!
 

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

I have stored a couple six packs of good beer and some rum on my pontoon last summer. No probs! Also, the state I live in has zero open container laws on the water, and blood alcohol is still at .1, not .08. I've often waved to the local game wardens with a cold beer in my hand!
 

mpsyamaha

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
400
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

Interesting, i didnt know there were any open container laws for boats. There surely arent in Florida! The driver can even drink, just not be over the legal limit. Earlier this week I was drinking a beer while driving my boat through a no wake zone and passed a cop and he waved.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

I have stored a couple six packs of good beer and some rum on my pontoon last summer. No probs! Also, the state I live in has zero open container laws on the water, and blood alcohol is still at .1, not .08. I've often waved to the local game wardens with a cold beer in my hand!

That is the norm around here as well. You are allowed to be driving the boat with beverage in hand as long as you are under the legal limit. (.08 same as in a car here)
 

WIMUSKY

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
20,315
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

That is the norm around here as well. You are allowed to be driving the boat with beverage in hand as long as you are under the legal limit. (.08 same as in a car here)

I believe WI is the same......
 

Bill3434

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 29, 2011
Messages
398
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

a container with a lid on it isn't open

Technically, in Kansas if you pulled one from the ring of a six pack it's an open container. If a twenty for pack has 23 in it it's an open container. As I use to say; "I didn't write the law, I just enforce it."
 

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

Technically, in Kansas if you pulled one from the ring of a six pack it's an open container. If a twenty for pack has 23 in it it's an open container. As I use to say; "I didn't write the law, I just enforce it."

If you enforce the law, how is consumption of alchol in a moving RV by passengers "only" dealt with?

Is an RV technically considered a place of residense regardless of mobile or not?

Thanks
 

Bill3434

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 29, 2011
Messages
398
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

If you enforce the law, how is consumption of alchol in a moving RV by passengers "only" dealt with?

Is an RV technically considered a place of residense regardless of mobile or not?

Thanks

If it is on the roadway it's a vehicle, horse, bicycle, lawnmower. Most states it applies to passengers too. Now wether or not a police officer will write a ticket for it is another story. If you make him or her mad and argue, then you are most likely going to get a ticket for it.

I know this becuase some jerk wanted to argue with my duty investigator and the accident fit the profile for the boss to be called (me) said jerk lied to me, wasn't wearing a seatbelt, rolled a vehicle in a place he shouldn't have been. So I wrote a ticket and the prosecutor processed the case. If said jerk would have said he was being stupid, I wouldn't have gotten a phone call and my investigator might have allowed him to call some friends to upright the vehicle or he would have to have paid for a wrecker service and that would have been it.
Most police officers are reasonable to reasonable people. If you are a jerk and you get a police officer that has been around for awhile most likely the police officer has lots of experience in being a real jerk.
 

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

If it is on the roadway it's a vehicle, horse, bicycle, lawnmower. Most states it applies to passengers too. Now wether or not a police officer will write a ticket for it is another story. If you make him or her mad and argue, then you are most likely going to get a ticket for it.

I know this becuase some jerk wanted to argue with my duty investigator and the accident fit the profile for the boss to be called (me) said jerk lied to me, wasn't wearing a seatbelt, rolled a vehicle in a place he shouldn't have been. So I wrote a ticket and the prosecutor processed the case. If said jerk would have said he was being stupid, I wouldn't have gotten a phone call and my investigator might have allowed him to call some friends to upright the vehicle or he would have to have paid for a wrecker service and that would have been it.
Most police officers are reasonable to reasonable people. If you are a jerk and you get a police officer that has been around for awhile most likely the police officer has lots of experience in being a real jerk.

Thanks Bill
Kinda wondered how other juristrictions dealt with this.
From the hear say I've heard, as long as the consumption of alchol in a RV is done in the living quarters and not in reach of the driver it was legal, but thats hear say of course.
 

OllieC

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
535
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

As OldJeep stated, we're .08 as far as the operator. Although you can, I wouldn't advertise to any DNR or Sheriff though. I figure a light beer or two an hour with an activity (sitting on a floatie) seems to work out for me being 6'4" and 200lbs. If I'm cruising, I might not partake. Everyone else can go nuts, until we get back to the dock - then it's my turn.:joyous:

Had a bottle of Kettle One in the gunwale all Summer in the boat..seemed fine.
 

emilsr

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 16, 2010
Messages
774
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

It's illegal to drink in public in the commonwealth of KY (KRS202?). If you don't use a solo cup or a coozie you go to jail.

Off subject I know, but since everyone else was going there....

I still wouldn't leave your booze onboard unless the boat is on the trailer and locked in a barn.
 

bullcity101

Seaman
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
73
Re: Storing alcohol on the boat.

wow do I feel lucky to live in NC. Drink while boating as long as your under the legal limit. Sounds fair to me. We get stopped all the time cause I often have a open beer while piloting. Under the legal limit, safe, over you go to jail. I have had booze on the boat for months, in the sun. No issue.
 
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