Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

Ok, I didn't know that there were two Threads on this Forum that related to my Thread. I don't really see a way to do a "search" for certain Threads.

Well actually this subject pops up on a regular basis with a new thread each time.... My comment was not directed "at" you. You CAN however search out MANY such threads but you have to know what to search for. Try the phrase "wear pfd".... if you get creative you can find others to search with.... there is a definite knack to finding what you want in a search.

The thing is the question from the o/p is always a little different but the rest of the thread is mostly the same... lol

Soooo are you looking for an answer to a question or just wanting to chat about it..... Being a "boater" or being a "non boater" doesn't make the first bit of difference here..... After all when you are cruising down the interstate and you see someone without a seatbelt on do you say ahhh there's a non driver there? Of course not....... The "non boater" you refer too will likely do as you do.... wear your jacket and hand him/her one and he/she will wear it too..... Get on and sit down without one and chances are your passenger will do the same. Being a "boater" won't make the first difference when you hit a submerged stump at 30 mph, get knocked out by the windshield frame and slide over the side to disappear into the lake..... on land you would wake up in a minute or so with a possible concussion but in the water..... without a pfd..... they would drag the lake for your body...... Now I personally rarely wear mine but that is a personal decision I have made regarding my own safety and you should not consider that at all when deciding for your self.

It sounds to me that you are just not wanting to take these relative strangers with you for various reasons but want us to agree with you so the wife won't be on your case.

BOTTOM LINE..... It's your boat and you aren't comfortable taking them..... Leave em on dry land and make no apologies.

on the other hand if you DO choose to take them out then explain the things they won't know before you even get on the dock.....

 

[444]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

watch it with the "old beater looking tri-hulls" comment....not cool around here...

Do not take that as an insult to all tri hulls. All I meant was I see guys on the water without pfd's with old beat up tri hulls it looks like they dragged out of the woods and would need to spend more time bailing than running to keep afloat. FWIW my boats are out of the 1970's so I have nothing against old boats.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

Not wanting to be a killjoy but please read this

First...I am not condoning reckless behavior, and would never attempt to toss someone who was not a willing participant. If someone gets hit in the water by another boat, then the other captain failed to do something correctly. Going by your logic, we should never tube or jetski, or wakebaord, or whatever because you might get tossed and run over. The places we go are not that crowded, and I would like to think I have enough common sense to know when it would be too dangerous to tube or swim, or boat even.

Second...I live my life, day-to-day, wearing level IV armor and a kevlar helmet, while dodging mortars, rockets, car bombs, and AK-47 rounds. My BIL spent almost 4 years in Afghanistan doing the same thing, and is a Drug Task Force agent in his day-to-day Stateside life. We are NOT worried about a tube! Yes...I realize accidents can happen, and I know several friends who made it home just fine only to be killed on a motorcycle or of a heart attack, or while riding a lawn mower. We can all die at any moment, for any reason. When it is your time to go...you will go. Simple. Does not matter what you are doing. I am not saying we should all throw caution to the wind and put ourselves in harm's way intentionally, but I am saying I am not going to sit around and not have any fun because it "might" be dangerous. Everyday life is dangerous. I plan to live it to the fullest, until the Father says "it's time to come back home now".

Third...anyone who has come onto any of my past boats has been offered a PFD. When I am on my friend's Bullet bass boat doing 78mph to get to that next fishing hole, we are BOTH wearing PFDs. When we are out in 95F+ days, at just above wake speed pulling the kids on tubes, we (the adults in the boat) are not wearing PFDs...unless someone chooses to do so. When I had my CBR1000rr, I was at ATTGATT (all the gear, all the time) believer. If I went to the gas station to put gas in the bike, I was suited up 100%, so I am not a disbeliever in preventative measures. What I do believe in also, is mitigated risk. The risk level, at 15mph, in a 21' boat, on calm rivers, with little traffic, is so low, that I just dont see the point. That's just me.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

i agree with the life jacket situation. for all passengers on my boat they were them unless i say so. family adults that i let on my boat usually don't wear one unless i know there bad swimmers. i have a offshore inflatable one i like it a lot usually not in the way but flat calm day when it's hot out i just put it on the side of my on the deck or around the chair.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

i agree with the life jacket situation. for all passengers on my boat they were them unless i say so. family adults that i let on my boat usually don't wear one unless i know there bad swimmers. i have a offshore inflatable one i like it a lot usually not in the way but flat calm day when it's hot out i just put it on the side of my on the deck or around the chair.

(comment begrudgingly withheld to avoid injury to delicate sensitivities):facepalm:

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

I went over to my wife's job for lunch and talked to the girl that she asked to go with us. While talking to her, I found out that her and her husband know absolutely NOTHING about boating. In fact, she told us that her husband got a little sick right after they boarded the criuse ship for the cruise they went on. All I could say in my mind was "oh boy"......a sarcastic/negetive "oh boy" at that. She never told my wife about her husband getting sick right after boarding the cruise ship, BUT THEN AGAIN, my wife never asked this lady about her husband and being on the water/in a boat! When I told the girl how she would have to board our boat and that the boat could very well be rocking some, her face had a "OH NO!" look to it. Then, after having lunch with my wife, later I thought, "does this girl know that the only toilet we have onboard is a porta-potty in the cuddy cabin??? I called and told my wife to tell her that, but don't know if she has. Anyway, we will meet the couple at Jax Landing, I will let them know what goes on on our boat, have life vests ready for them (ask them if they can swim) and then go from there.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

I went over to my wife's job for lunch and talked to the girl that she asked to go with us. While talking to her, I found out that her and her husband know absolutely NOTHING about boating. In fact, she told us that her husband got a little sick right after they boarded the criuse ship for the cruise they went on. All I could say in my mind was "oh boy"......a sarcastic/negetive "oh boy" at that. She never told my wife about her husband getting sick right after boarding the cruise ship, BUT THEN AGAIN, my wife never asked this lady about her husband and being on the water/in a boat! When I told the girl how she would have to board our boat and that the boat could very well be rocking some, her face had a "OH NO!" look to it. Then, after having lunch with my wife, later I thought, "does this girl know that the only toilet we have onboard is a porta-potty in the cuddy cabin??? I called and told my wife to tell her that, but don't know if she has. Anyway, we will meet the couple at Jax Landing, I will let them know what goes on on our boat, have life vests ready for them (ask them if they can swim) and then go from there.

Sounds like an absolute nightmare voyage to me man. I think I would avoid this trip at all costs. You say they aren't really "friends" anyway? I would pass on this trip. Waste of gas and time. Enjoy the day with your wife, and tell those folks to go to the zoo or something. IMO.

 

[mjgates]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

Please educate me!

I have looked for something that will provide cover without any joy so who sells this cover?

Thanks

As oldjeep said. Look into an umbrella policy. You will have to hold minimum limits on all your insured items, house, car, boat, etc, but they are limits anyone with a family should be carrying anyways. Then for less than a couple hundred a year, the umbrella amount you pay for kicks in and you should be covered for about any unfortunate incident. I have seen umbrella policies from 1 million up to several million. I carry 1 mil. My dad, who has much more than I do, carries more.

 

[cribber]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

When we do have guests on our boat it's their choice to wear a PFD unless they are under 16... then they will wear one. We keep two ski vests right next to us and we are very familiar with our local water. If the wind kicks up the vests go on since the water can get pretty nasty in a short amount of time. As for insurance we have Progressive with a $300K max bodily injury and property damage with a separate rider for the same amount for uninsured boaters. Total cost for $600K peace of mind is $73 a year.

 

[444]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

I wouldn't be too concerned that she and her husband know nothing about boating. When I bought my first boat, I knew very little about boating. My dad never had anything better than a flat bottom fishing boat with an electric trolling motor on it, he only had a small 6hp or so outboard on it for a couple years. I never really got much of a boating experience growing up other than fishing in dads boat on the river a few times a summer. Never had friends or relatives take me out on a boat either. Everyone has to start somewhere, so I bought myself a smaller boat with a 90hp outboard and went from there.

Sounds like an absolute nightmare voyage to me man. I think I would avoid this trip at all costs. You say they aren't really "friends" anyway? I would pass on this trip. Waste of gas and time. Enjoy the day with your wife, and tell those folks to go to the zoo or something. IMO.

I agree. If your wife really wants to spend some time outside work with this couple, it sounds like they would be happier if you invited them to your house for dinner instead, or met them at a lounge for a couple drinks and a few rounds of pool. If SHE has a look of terror on her face at the idea of stepping onto a boat that's rocking from the waves at the dock and HE's getting sea sick from stepping onto a cruise ship, then I don't think I'd have any use for taking that couple on the water either. I just don't think HE will last long if a cruise ship didn't sit well with him.

 

[V153]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

(comment begrudgingly withheld to avoid injury to delicate sensitivities):facepalm:

Thank you ...

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

Well this girl that my wife works with, and her husband showed up at The Jax Landing when we got there this AM. They came down the dock to where we tied up our boat and the husband almost immediately said "nope, not going out".......guess the boat was just too small for him. But, they did get get onboard, but only for a minute or two and then the girl wanted to get off. Due to a little wind, the boat was rocking some and that in itself scared her. I doubt very seriously this young couple will want to go out on the water with us. We were having a little carb/idle problem, so I'm glad they decided not to go. We may need a new carb/choke.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

Well this girl that my wife works with, and her husband showed up at The Jax Landing when we got there this AM. They came down the dock to where we tied up our boat and the husband almost immediately said "nope, not going out".......guess the boat was just too small for him. But, they did get get onboard, but only for a minute or two and then the girl wanted to get off. Due to a little wind, the boat was rocking some and that in itself scared her. I doubt very seriously this young couple will want to go out on the water with us. We were having a little carb/idle problem, so I'm glad they decided not to go. We may need a new carb/choke.

Doesn't sound like anyone you would want to try to cultivate any kind of meaningful friendship with anyway. Bunch of wussies. Tell them to go do something they might find really exciting...like return a library book a day late, or tear the "do not remove" tag off of a mattress. :facepalm:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

I can't read all the comments but wow. just wow. all so foreign to me, maybe since I live in a boating town.

First, (some of) you are overthinking the liability thing if you are just going boat riding. Reckless tubing is different. But it's no different than giving a couple a ride to the airport and sweating your insurance coverage.

As for fat people. well that's just a matter of your boat's size and may or may not be important.

Adults can decide about PFD's except when captain orders in extenuating circumstances. Then it's captain's orders. i sometimes have to do this running a wildnerness marsh at night. Many people put one on when they see the captain doing it. Good reason not to just have the ugly orange ones. But the discussion is meaningless unless you define "boat" by size.

Scared of riding in a boat? Why would they go in the first place? I have never met such a person but then he wouldn't choose to live here!

There's a social issue that isn't a boating issue: if the guests are annoying or irresponsible (such as drunks) then you don't want them in your boat, car, pool, house or even a neutral plave like a restaurant or concert.

The only question about the co-worker you need to ask: is she hot?

 

[jkust]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

We boat on small inland lakes and generally only kids wear pfd's. In early spring and on larger lakes in rough conditions, we will put our auto inflatables on. We boat generally way out of town by ourselves and so are by ourselves. The few times we've had people on the boat, they can wear a pfd if they want.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

and the husband almost immediately said "nope, not going out".......

What,,, were they expectin' the Queen Mary or something :facepalm:

Guess you can consider yourself lucky...


I'm pretty selective who goes out on my boat (there are a few that have invited themselves, that have not been on board yet) and have had good luck so far. Though, I haven't taken out anyone but family for a long time.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

The only question about the co-worker you need to ask: is she hot?

As usual, Home Cookin' cuts through the inconsequential BS and right to the heart of the matter. Thanks.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

I require pfd's 100 percent of the time from my direct family. Guest that are legal not to wear them I ask them to wear them and I tell them they cant swim while passed out, with a broken arm or a broken leg. If they still refuse I tell them I rather they do but if they dont I wont push it no more... (if they claim they can swim) and that will be a short trip and the last one they will take in my boat. I got hit by a boat a couple years ago. I was not moving, that other boat was. He was going in a non-collision course but change in the last 75 meters or so at high speed. I had no time to start the motor, or anything, he literally change course again at the last second avoiding cutting us in half and just hit the bow and totaling the boat... He was at the helm of this boat for the first time, he never saw us even thought I am in a cobia with plenty of gunwale and a big huge tall blue Bimini.
Even before that I always required 100% pfd usage and the kids have not complaint much about pfd since. Had he not do that last change of course not only he would had sink the boat but no doubt seriously injured all 3 of us. PFD would have been the only way to keep our face out of the water if we were knock unconscious. If an adult decides he dont want to wear a pfd it is his/her decision and if not in my boat I have nothing to say. In my boat you are my liability, I have a say...

 

[Uncork-n-Unwind]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

My "plate capacity" is 12 - I carry 15 PFD's on board at all times.

After safety check, anyone under 18 has a PFD on AT ALL TIMES unless anchored. State law requires it. Over 18 is completely at their discretion. We usually don't have more than 6 on our boat at any given time... better safe than sorry.

PFD rules are there for a reason.. I can't imagine not following them.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Taking Someone For A Boat Ride?

When we were experiencing the idle going down then up a little too much, I told my wife that I really perferred that we didn't take this couple out when they got there. My wife wasn't too happy with that......she REALLY wanted them to go out with us! She really thought this co-worker was interested in taking a boat ride with us, but found out much different when her husband and her showed up and definitely expressed the "no" word to us. I asked them to get onboard to see how they'd feel and both did, but as stated "only for a minute" and off they got. Whe the girl told me that the boat was rocking too much for her, I told her "I think you two should stick to the Cruise Liners!" This girl's husband really doesn't like being on the water. Guess some people can handle boating, while others absolutely can NOT and WON'T!!