My boat's trashed!!!
 

Most of you guys know that Mrs. Outlaw and I have been divorced for a while now. For the past 3 summers I’ve been boating alone and often question why I even have a boat. Today I went out on the boat with the girl I’ve been dating along with her 3 little girls. Well, let me tell you something. I don’t know how many 1000’s of dollars I waste on owning this boat but seeing how much fun these kids had today made it worth every penny. I just don’t know how some of you guys deal with it on a regular basis. The inside of my boat looks like it’s been totally ransacked!!!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Welcome aboard the snack, soda, sand and nap ship. You'll have more of that ahead.

The tradeoff is watching how much fun they have and knowing you make a difference in their lives.
Warm and fuzzies for everyone.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

I know just how you feel. I have a 2 & a 4 yr. old. Holy cow! They sure know how to mess stuff up. Finger prints everywhere, crumbs all over, toys, juice boxes, etc. etc. However, as strange as it may sound theres just something about spending time on the lake with the whole fam. Swimming, eating at our favorite lakeside rest. , cruising around and, when its all said and done, looking down in the cabin on our way in and seeing those two little squirts covered up in a towel completely exhausted dreaming away. It's days like those that justify the expense. :)

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

A few weeks ago I took my brand new boat out for the first time. I do not have kids of my own yet, but invited my brother - in -law and his wife and 2 kids to come for a ride. (He has taken me on his boat for years). It was cold so everyone boarded with shoes, I didn't get my carpet yet, the floor "was white". ---I'm still trying to figure out the proper cleaning agent to use to make the floor look new again. Then due to the cold my wife and sister-in -law and two kids went into the cabin and broke out the bag of potato chips, (the boat had less than 1 hour on it)I almost lost it. My initial reaction was never again but after thinking about it for a few days I've come to the conclusion that boating is more fun when shared with others. The memories that I have from boating with others when I was younger, I will never forget.
---------
I have also learned something from my second run, inviting adults who are not into boating are worse than children and cause alot more damage to the boat.
As far as dealing with it--I'll let you know at the end of summer!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

I cannot count the number of drinks we have spilled in the boat, and we are "big kids", but nothing, nothing will beat the feeling from remembering the smiles and the laughter we have every time we go out together. I can only imagine the joy it brings when it is your own child you get to enjoy these days with.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Trashed !!!!
Now try a Wife, 2 kids and a dog..........(70lbs lab) named BAJA .....
The job is not driving the boat ! The job is CLEANING IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But I would not give it up for the world..... I LOVE BOATING WITH FAMILY..

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

A word of advice...kids are ok, dogs are not.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

[QUOTE=29 OUTLAW] ...seeing how much fun these kids had today made it worth every penny. QUOTE]

Hey 29outlaw

Glad to see you found some cool boating buddies! Enjoy!!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Big Mess = Good Times.....enjoy!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Nice looking crew. Enjoy the good times.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Thanks -

I guess if you're going to have a boat full of people it may as well be girls. :drink:

No dude-fests onboard the 29!!!

:eek:

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Sounds like a good opportunity to teach your guests the "value" of cleaning up their messes.

Enjoy the time on the water that you are able to share with them, and understand that they are only human, not perfect.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Another word of advice - never bring pretzels into the boat. If they fall on the carpet/upholstery and get wet, they dry like concrete. It takes a chisel to get them off.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...103#post946103

Looks like you need to reintall the swim platform and have some fun!!!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Isn't that a pisser. Right after I pull that thing off, I get my first passengers.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Dude I don't know you other then through this board, but I'd be willing to bet you had a big smile on your face when you were typing this.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Okay, here's my advice....

Take lots of pictures. Either develop them or print them out and put them on tables, walls, etc. Keep one in your truck and one on the boat.

Bring juice boxes instead of cans of pop and forget those stupid Capri Suns. The bags of juice (like Capri Sun) make a huge mess with lilttle or no effort on the kids part.

As for the snacks - I'm not sure there is a good snack. Popcorn is a big no no, but then again any sort of chips leave little pieces everywhere. Fruit Roll ups are sticky. I guess something "bite sized" is the way to go, but even then. Definately stay away from things with dye in them.

Keep a little portable vacuum and some cleaning supplies on the boat for some quick spot cleaning. Keep baby wipes on the boat for the kids' hands, but be sure to tell them NOT to use it on the boat to quick wipe something up.

So, here come the pics. While you're out having a good time, check out their faces, the amazement, the beauty and the wonder. It's great. Snap some pics. Then when you get home and you're cleaning out the boat, you're going to grumble...but look at the pics and realize you're making a difference in someone elses life. And they'll have stories to tell their friends - if you can, eavesdrop on one (not that I condone that on an ongoing basis), but I really think it will help when you hear how excited they are when they talk about it.

This, to me, is half (maybe even 3/4) of what boating is all about. Everything has it's ups and downs...just make sure you take the time to appreciate the "up" while it's happening or the "down" won't be worth it.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Boats always have to be washed anyway. The memories given to the little girls is definately worth it. Mine are 13,11,10 & 2. Talk about a mess!!!!!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

I have experienced first hand last July when my friends and I took out several of thier small kids. several wanted to ride down below on the way back in and were having fun boucing with the waves. All was good until the exploding bag of doritios. Took me days to get all of the damm crumbs out, but all in all I know that the day was an experience that they will always remember.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Dude - I've had a big smile on my face since Saturday!!!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

This is my first year boating with my dughter and it is a lot of work but is a blast and worth it. I doesn't keep us from going just as much as before :)

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

How long before she's driving the boat???

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Hey 29 outlaw,
At least she is a hottie. So thats all that matters.

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Thanks - I guess the cats' out of the bag.

It's the same girl you saw last Sunday when I pulled up next to you. She said you were starring at her so hard you looked like you were going to fall out of your boat. I told her you were only starring because you couldn't believe I actually had someone with me.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

I would say by 12 months she should at least be backing the truck and trailer lol, and driving me around by 5 yrs, no Poker Runs for her for a few years or mabye 12, I've seen to many tragedy's on the lake, I am always worried when she is with me. I'm sure it will get better as time goes on. We were out all last weekend and I don't think I ever got over 3,500 rpm, and anyone who knows me knows that is real uncommon, but it is so fun watching her laugh at the ducks or when we hit waves. Have fun , I say it is just as fun as running hard as long as I am spending quality family time with my wife and daughter

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Damm 29outlaw, She caught me checking her out. Well she was the best looking thing at the tiki bar that day.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Allison was in the boat at 2 months. We kept it to the lake and bay

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

just take a few seconds and "kid proof" the boat of anything that can leave a permanent stain. like that powder for the porta potte. that stain does not come out. but after a year or two you just remember the kids and grin. :)

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Kids are great. Sure they get messy but the joy they bring is worth it.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

nice picture BTW. I have three Boys and can't imagine three girls :p :p :crazy:

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Last summer on our first time out with the 33 we had our 3 and 6 year old boys with us. We anchored out after a bit because the water was too cold to stop at a beach. You know how kids are if there is water, they will be in it. Well my wife and I were getting some rays on the sundeck :cool: while our boys were playing with some toys in the cabin. Before you know it the youngest comes out and says "mom the potti works really great" We looked at one another knowing we forgot to add any chemicals or water to the porti potty. We went into the cabin to discover that BOTH the little angels had went number 2 in the new unprepared potty. :eek: No big deal, nothing a little extra cleaning won't take care of. We will be laughing at that for years. Out kids go with us 95% of the time and we love every minute of it.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Thanks -

Later in the day the one in the middle fell of the dock at the Tiki Bar while goofing off with her sister. If the tide had been any lower I would have had to jump in after her but I was just able to grap her arms and pull her out.

Hey Bobby - Thanks for the compliment but that girl you had in your boat looked pretty HOT too!!! (And I'm not talking about your Mom. I'm talking about the other girl). Who was she??

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

I have "big Kids" on my boat almost every weekend and once the boat is docked it becomes a party. Needless to say it have been trashed on a number of occasions. I don't mind dirt and cleaning up messes as long as nothing gets broken or ripped, torn, stained or large scratces. I love my boat and I am pretty perticular about it but I look at it this way if I am not going to "use" (more than just going for rides) the boat then why the hell should I have it. Besides I know we all think differently at times but it "is" just a boat -- as long as we are having fun and no one gets hurt who cares about some chips on the floor or a spilled beer.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Hey 29outlaw,
That was my sister. Hey when you drive by Boaters World you should stop in sometime.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Your sister!!! Whoa!!! Not bad...

You must be the nicest guy in the world taking your Mom, your Dad, and your Sister to the Tiki Bar. I would sell my boat if I had to take my Mom, Dad, and Sister with me to the Tiki Bar. I can barely handle 5 minutes with them on the phone.

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Why do you think i was at the tiki bar having a couple of drinks.

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Oh My Word! Look at her! She is getting so big. It seems like yesterday you posted her first pics! She is a DOLL!

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

Got 9, 5, and 4 year olds. My 9 year old girl drives and navigates. This year we're working on docking and watching for other boats.

Could have killed them last year when they spilled something red on the WHITE back pad. Nothing took it out. Finally the sun bleached it out.

Re: My boat's trashed!!!
 

We've all seen the picture of your 9 year old driving and she looks pretty confident. Those 2 kids on the right in my picture are 8 and 9 and I let them drive but only steer. I worked the throttles from behind the bolster. I felt steering and throttles at the same time would be a bit much for the first lesson. They did pretty good except when the 8 year old got tired of driving she just lets go of the wheel and walks away from the helm while we're doing about 35mph. Kinda the same thing Mrs. Outlaw used to do.