Would you help this person?

Turin

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
343
Re: Would you help this person?

Well if he's an *** I wouldn't help him on our lake he can row to the shore.
If it was a big lake or if he was in danger i would help him.

If he's just rich and owns the most expensive boat on the lake I would help him,
I'm not a jealous person.

I have been pulled home by somebody who only had a trawling motor and paddles on his boat.


I also had a big laugh ones there were some kids who weren't at the age that they are allowed to boat on there own and they took the boat of there big brother half way the boat stopped and they wanted to fix it and asked me for help not knowing that I knew from who the boat was.
I told them that it wasn't fixable and towed them to the marina and told them to lend some paddles and paddle home so they did about 17:00 (they had to be home before 18;00 to eat they said) I knew there brother would be home.
so they paddled and paddled me laughing at them well at 18:00 I cought up with them again an fixed they're engine.
They had some explaining to do, you should have seen there faces.
 

zach103

Commander
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
2,233
Re: Would you help this person?

i think i would .. last season about 2 miles out from the dock my engine had problems. i dont have a trolling motor so i was stranded.. some guy on a jetski that we met the day before drove by and helped us out.. even pulled it to the trailer.. so from then on i told myself i would help anyone who was stranded.. if they were an *** while i was doing it i dont know what i would do.
 

Knot Waiting

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 23, 2006
Messages
761
Re: Would you help this person?

I probably would just on account of the golden rule and proper boating ediqutte. Even jerks need a hand sometimes.

I do have to admit though that an expeirence last summer has left me sour on lending an honest hand to strangers.

We were returning to the lake after an afternoon upriver when we came across a couple bobbing on their jet ski. They flagged us down and said it had sucked something up and broken down. They asked for a tow so depite our oposite destination I agreed. So we towed, and towed, and after about an hour and a half of fuel burning idle speed I found an open gas/bar/launch. This is where I decided to leave them, safe. At which point they threw guff because they needed to go 20 miles further upstream to meet friends at a campground. I declined any further assistance as it had started to rain and I was dangerously low on fuel. They untied and muttered thanks, made no other gesture (a beer, gratuity, nothing, for all the fuel and time wasted).... Then STARTED the broken jet ski and idled to the dock! Needless to say I was less than satisfied with my own good will.
 

fishmen111

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
637
Re: Would you help this person?

They untied and muttered thanks, made no other gesture (a beer, gratuity, nothing, for all the fuel and time wasted).... Then STARTED the broken jet ski and idled to the dock! Needless to say I was less than satisfied with my own good will.

Don't let it sway you Knot. You did the right thing. There are very few groups of people left with an overall reputation of kindness. Boaters are one.
 

CJY

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Messages
1,242
Re: Would you help this person?

I would help him. I try to keep from holding grudges, life is too short.

If I did not help and something happened to this person, I don't believe I would feel very good about myself.
 

levittownnick

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 2, 2003
Messages
789
Re: Would you help this person?

If he has a trolling motor going, why would he need a tow? If he was stranded, most anyone would help.
 

zach103

Commander
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
2,233
Re: Would you help this person?

Alright, i think it would depend how far out he was from where he needed to be.
 

INJUN

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
358
Re: Would you help this person?

Sure, I'd help. I always have and always will. BUT . . .

I'd do that AFTER I circled him a few times while loudly questioning him about how 'he's all that' and holding my thumbs in my ears and sticking out my tougue.

While he's being towed, I'd have to exclaim how wonderful my woeful boat treats me. Especially the closer we got to shore.
 

642mx

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
1,588
Re: Would you help this person?

I would help. I would expect the same assistance if I needed it. Its the right thing to do.
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Would you help this person?

I would if the person is in danger or really far away from the ramp. In what lake this happen?
 

qaztwo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2004
Messages
384
Re: Would you help this person?

Yes would help. Been the one stranded 20 miles down river and have watched boat after boat just pass by, not a good feeling.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Would you help this person?

My end? Pretty simple. Live tip of a Peninsula, private HOA 600 cribs, as Launch, and 104 slip Marina. We all know each other. 15 miles to the nearest anything (Rural) on the road.
A boat in trouble? Ya simply help out..and I'm a million SQ water miles Puget Sound water.
Aint been to a public launch in years...but when hitting one, always gave any assistance and a hand. Some (DUH...me 50 years..and I started out stupid at 6 years old.."knew it all"..but the old "salts set me straight'..old man a 17 foot Cruiser, brother a 20H Merc..(HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE NOW) ..on a 8 foot Hydro..plus I "stuffed" the old mans "AmphiCar" in the water at 14 years old. 1964ish
New boating people have little knowledge, but it will come in time.
Someone spits crap on how good they are, and the stuff they own?
Let God figure it out. ..not you, with a "tude"..
If no one around when the "stuff hits the fan"...and you are...ya simply help anyway you can.
You are too young too figure it I bet.
What if he hit a log at speed..(22 footer here just did..we just yanked him out..lucky didn't sink..outdrive is total junk..hanging by the tilt Hydraulic hoses..
Anyway say him (your BS Hypothetical crap..don't even know why I'm bothering to reply)... is out and his wife..or a kid..and the boat hit a log, and she or the kid slammed there head silly, hit the dashboard, blood pouring and out in shock.
"nuff out me....ya seem like the type I meet in Nam 41 years ago.. some got a easy out...called "friendly fire".."whoops"...but seems yer name is not even deserving of the "wall" anyway.
Attitudes are well taken care of, by simply walking away, and a million other things....called patience..(who was at the launch first?).
Sorry if I "ruffle" feathers, Iboats, JB, TD here, all the Mods, but a little respect for others goes a long way...what goes around, comes around...ya need to learn that....and probably coming...some day you will be on the "other side"....thank God I'm 2500 miles a way from ya...stay off my water...
 

wildmaninal

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2007
Messages
1,897
Re: Would you help this person?

My end? Pretty simple. Live tip of a Peninsula, private HOA 600 cribs, as Launch, and 104 slip Marina. We all know each other. 15 miles to the nearest anything (Rural) on the road.
A boat in trouble? Ya simply help out..and I'm a million SQ water miles Puget Sound water.
Aint been to a public launch in years...but when hitting one, always gave any assistance and a hand. Some (DUH...me 50 years..and I started out stupid at 6 years old.."knew it all"..but the old "salts set me straight'..old man a 17 foot Cruiser, brother a 20H Merc..(HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE NOW) ..on a 8 foot Hydro..plus I "stuffed" the old mans "AmphiCar" in the water at 14 years old. 1964ish
New boating people have little knowledge, but it will come in time.
Someone spits crap on how good they are, and the stuff they own?
Let God figure it out. ..not you, with a "tude"..
If no one around when the "stuff hits the fan"...and you are...ya simply help anyway you can.
You are too young too figure it I bet.
What if he hit a log at speed..(22 footer here just did..we just yanked him out..lucky didn't sink..outdrive is total junk..hanging by the tilt Hydraulic hoses..
Anyway say him (your BS Hypothetical crap..don't even know why I'm bothering to reply)... is out and his wife..or a kid..and the boat hit a log, and she or the kid slammed there head silly, hit the dashboard, blood pouring and out in shock.
"nuff out me....ya seem like the type I meet in Nam 41 years ago.. some got a easy out...called "friendly fire".."whoops"...but seems yer name is not even deserving of the "wall" anyway.
Attitudes are well taken care of, by simply walking away, and a million other things....called patience..(who was at the launch first?).
Sorry if I "ruffle" feathers, Iboats, JB, TD here, all the Mods, but a little respect for others goes a long way...what goes around, comes around...ya need to learn that....and probably coming...some day you will be on the "other side"....thank God I'm 2500 miles a way from ya...stay off my water...


Geesh scaaty......I don't know if I should say :eek:, or Amen. :redface:

One thing I have is patience. I haven't had the pleasure of helping somebody on the water yet but as said the time will come.

I have helping people out on land when broken down and I would help on the water whenever needed.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Would you help this person?

I got towed in by a jet-ski once. That was humbling. I was only a couple hundred yards from the ramp but me alone with a paddle wasn't making ANY headway. I was very appreciative.
 

NSBCraig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
1,907
Re: Would you help this person?

Well first off the law is you have to give assistance if they are in trouble.

That is why the Coast Guard by law is NOT allowed to tow you except out of danger. They will safely put you on the shore and call a tow company for which the guy can pay them from their dock if their there or not, for the tow and back to their dock.

Did he flag you down and let you know he did not have a VHF or a cellphone?

If he did which I can't imagine a guy throwing money around doesn't have a phone, the most you have to do is call for him.

You don't have to spend your time, money, day on some idiot!

NO I would not help this person.

Just like I don't help those people that launch their boat and untie from the dock before their old Bayliner is even running. I laugh, I point, I make sure everyone around knows their idiots and I go and have a good day on the water. Time for them to start paddling.

Do I help people that need it on the water of course I do.

Last time I towed a boat was last week a couple retired guys were sitting in the I.C.W. anchored with engine problems in an old basstracker. I towed them over to the RV campground they were staying at after hanging out for five minutes to see if they could work it out. Nice guys.

It's kind of like playing with my four wheel drive in the mud pits- don't be a jackass and then break your truck and get stuck cause not only will no one help get you out they'll part your truck out when you leave.

My dad would end this with the moral to the story being something like always try to help people that need it if you can but don't waste your time on those that don't.

Some people shouldn't own boats.
 

BamaAlum97

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
173
Re: Would you help this person?

The only right thing to do is help the guy. Especially if you expect to get help if you are ever in a similar situation.

The guy might be a jerk, but getting towed in by a "lesser" craft will be more humbling than trolling in alone. When you get to the dock and get him all taken care of, tell him that the only thanks required is that he must help the next broken down vessel he encounters...
 

rndn

Commander
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
2,323
Re: Would you help this person?

Help the guy without hesitation. Why stoop to his level?
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Would you help this person?

Couple years back, I saw a family on a 26 footer, and I was in my 20 foot OB. He just had work done, and first launch (in Puget Sound, and we have MEAN tides here..20 foot up/down swings spring..DO NOT MESS WITH THEM)
Boat dead in the water. No way in hell I would pass them up, although they were going to take a good 3 hours out of my day, with barely enough gas to get home. They were 5 miles out, and I had to run the out going tide to get them back. A REAL slow go.
Long story short, the guy/wife/2 small kids...did not bring any wallet or money...as I don't either...just old Drivers License for a pic ID..but I do have $30 cash for maybe an overnighter in some State Park Marina.
Anyway, the guy has nothing to offer me but a "Ham Sandwich".
tell him, "feed the kids, and stay close to the dock when ANY work done. Put a few hours close to home, before ya head out.
Said "Good Luck"...and went home..kinda feeling good I could help...
Again, what goes around, comes around...pretty simple...(plus the wife..hot/bikini/sitting on the boats bow for a few hours, was worth it anyway...explore life, ..lot more fun that "bitchin" about it...
 

bhammer

Ensign
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
963
Re: Would you help this person?

I have come across many people that were jerks that I have helped. In the water or not. It just makes me feel better that I am the BIGGER person. When I have my kids with me, it is all the better as they tend to learn a valuable lesson.

The best story I have to go along with this... I was driving my car and I changed lanes and darn near hit a lady. She let me know by whaling on her horn for about 10 seconds. When we came to a traffic light, she let me know more by honking and getting real close and honking more. She was mad that I had accidentally cut her off. We went through the light, she went around me and several miles down the road, I noticed she had a flat rear tire. I got out of my car to tell her and even helped her change the tire.

She was apologizing all along and even slipped me $50 when I finished her tire. And yes, I took it. Back then, that was about a couple full tanks of gas.
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Would you help this person?

My end? Pretty simple. Live tip of a Peninsula, private HOA 600 cribs, as Launch, and 104 slip Marina. We all know each other. 15 miles to the nearest anything (Rural) on the road.
A boat in trouble? Ya simply help out..and I'm a million SQ water miles Puget Sound water.
Aint been to a public launch in years...but when hitting one, always gave any assistance and a hand. Some (DUH...me 50 years..and I started out stupid at 6 years old.."knew it all"..but the old "salts set me straight'..old man a 17 foot Cruiser, brother a 20H Merc..(HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE NOW) ..on a 8 foot Hydro..plus I "stuffed" the old mans "AmphiCar" in the water at 14 years old. 1964ish
New boating people have little knowledge, but it will come in time.
Someone spits crap on how good they are, and the stuff they own?
Let God figure it out. ..not you, with a "tude"..
If no one around when the "stuff hits the fan"...and you are...ya simply help anyway you can.
You are too young too figure it I bet.
What if he hit a log at speed..(22 footer here just did..we just yanked him out..lucky didn't sink..outdrive is total junk..hanging by the tilt Hydraulic hoses..
Anyway say him (your BS Hypothetical crap..don't even know why I'm bothering to reply)... is out and his wife..or a kid..and the boat hit a log, and she or the kid slammed there head silly, hit the dashboard, blood pouring and out in shock.
"nuff out me....ya seem like the type I meet in Nam 41 years ago.. some got a easy out...called "friendly fire".."whoops"...but seems yer name is not even deserving of the "wall" anyway.
Attitudes are well taken care of, by simply walking away, and a million other things....called patience..(who was at the launch first?).
Sorry if I "ruffle" feathers, Iboats, JB, TD here, all the Mods, but a little respect for others goes a long way...what goes around, comes around...ya need to learn that....and probably coming...some day you will be on the "other side"....thank God I'm 2500 miles a way from ya...stay off my water...

Dang man!!!
 
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