Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Where are you guys partying/boating? Is there a hotel nearby?

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

This is why I rarely take anyone. It's usually just Debbie and me. Last year, on Memorial Weekend as a matter of fact, I invited a friend of mine I've known for 30+ years. He brought his girl with him, which was fine. We get about five miles upriver, and my engine starts sounding like crap! I turn around and keep it running long enough to get back to the ramp. He says, "Great, just how I wanted to spend the day". Pissed me off to no end! It wasn't like I was the happiest guy on the boat at the time, but I was trying not to get pissed about the engine, which by the way, cost me $4,000 to fix. Needless to say, I haven't invited him since. :mad:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Usually holiday weekends I get a good crew. Brothers and good friends I don't see very often. Usually too many people though and I have to tell someone "sorry". :( And yes, it's usually a sausage party! :D

Problem is my friends with boats get more lame every year and most of my "fun" friends don't have boats!

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

:mad: That would PISS me off big time. When something goes wrong with my boat enough to cut the day short I am already pissed at the world. When a friend has a boat problem I am in the bilge trying to fix it, not *****ing about how my day was ruined! I don't blame you for not inviting him again! :mad:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

We must all have these stories.

I really think this is the issue: Their ignorance to what a boat actually costs. Took 4 guys out for the day recently, took a cruise to the CI offshore islands, then to Ventura, then back to CI (my home port). They offered to pay for lunch because of "gas" costs, I said fine, wasn't expecting anything anyway that day. Round trip plus more screwing around cost 3/4 tank of fuel. As we were coming back to the harbor, I decided to prove a point and fill the beast up (2005 Baja 272 with 502 Mag) at the gas dock.

Cha Ching, gas guy says "$256 please". You should have seen the look on their faces. You can pick your friends by the response. The first response is weaselish, like the guy isn't listening and is trying to change the subject, like nothing happened. The second response is guilt; like if they knew the cost they never would have come, and although they can't afford it, they have learned their lesson to be more considerate in the future.

That is what I DEMAND, appreciation and understanding.

Lose the first kind of person, fair weather users/losers are a waste of my time, short and long term, except if they are family, then :(

If I do ever get *****ed at about $ sharing, I tell people "Why do you think the marina charges $400 a day for renting an 18' skiff with an outboard, BECAUSE THIS CRAP COSTS MONEY. PONY UP OR GET THE F*CK OUT AND GO SIT ON THE BREAKWATER FOR FREE.

Just my .02

Chris

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

The Glen is a state park but there are a few river motles on the the St Johns..I go boating to mee to people and mingle...and of course to play with the chickies....

I have to say my guys do not ***** when the boat has issues..they are the 1st to jump in a set an anchor..I don't even have to ask for **** like that..stuff breaks boats are pricey and to party in comfort in the middle of a poo is tits...tits are $$$...They know this!

I'd prefer couples with boats...even steven ya know.

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

The only motel on the water to the south that I know of, is Blair's Jungle Den. I've never stayed there, but a friend of mine said it was too "rustic" for him. I asked what he meant, he said because they didn't have a tv remote control.

Personally, I'd head north and stay at Porkey's at Georgetown. I love that place, clean rooms, big ass bar (with liquor :) ), and a restaurant. Just don't be in a hurry to get served at the restaurant. They have plenty of docking and a good boat launch too.

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Shore, are you going to be on the outside? We may run by. I'll be in a blue and white 22 Classic. Holler if ya see me. :)

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Speaking as a non boat owner, communication is a wonderful thing. General speaking, if I get "invited" as in asked if I want to go, I would assume that would mean ... do you want to go? Not, do you want to go but I expect you to help pay. If you want me to go but want me to help pay then thats how the invite should be given.

Ive asked people to go places with me .. races .. concerts .. and I always say "do you want to go? It will be so much for the ticket, so much for the hotel .. no misunderstanding about what the invite is for, and what is expected.

I also thought, my first few times boating, that covering beer or food costs would have covered it. I really had no idea how much gas a go fast used .... now that I know .. its harder to accept rides ... I dont have cash or grass .. and well .. I cant do the other with just anybody :rolleyes: :D

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Joes last boat had a sticker that said "This boat runs on gas not thanks." :drink:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

I have to agree with a couple of different people on here.

RaceGirl you make a very good point about inviting people on the boat but it just isn't that easy all the time. I don't care about the people that come once and don't offer anything but the people that come all the time and don't offer or offer so little that they may as well keep it, are who I am b!tching about.

Clay First off your just an A1 pimp!!!!!!!!!!!! Secondly I would never ask a chick that I am taking on the boat for any cash...........they can pay in other ways. :D

Finally the cost of having a boat is somewhat a fixed cost in that no matter how many people are on it, it cost the same to use it. ( I know that more people ie. more weight does burn more fuel but it is not that much of a difference at least on my boat) Therefor I would rather have people come with me and enjoy it but I do want those people to show some appreciation for what they are getting to do and the cost of it.

Oh yeah, Clay if you ever run out of room on your boat you can send them to mine..............I won't expect a dime from them. :drink: :drink:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Hey bro, we'll be inside for sure...Probably in the middle stern in.Green bimini white Crownline.We are gonna go out early evening tonight...I got soo much crap to load I should actually be doing it now..Later! :drink:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

No prob... I will just get a bigger boat! :evilb:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Mom coming into town wants a boat ride, we're heading out tomorrow, probably come into Glen for a bit. Not sure what I'm doing Sat, want to get over to intracoastal or something.

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Where are you putting in?

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Either at Lk Monroe park and make a long trip of it or 44. I think that idle zone north of Blue springs is off for this time of year. I would rather put in at Lk Monroe park because of the water levels right now. You heading out tomorrow? This will be an AM trip for us. I'll give everyone on the river a nice wake up call :evilb: :evilb:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

I NEVER ask for any money for gas, but the offer is nice. I am usually lucky when it comes to that. My friends usually grab the alcohol and food and I buy the gas which works for me. :D

Last year a few of us were heading out and somehow I ended up with just two girls and myself in my boat. I ended up buying the gas for the boat, gas for the truck, the beer and the food. It didn't really bother me until neither of them even offered any money for at least the damn beer! LOL :D

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I never ask of expect gas money. I'm going with out without the company. If I asked them to come with then I asked for ther company not there money. But then we only have company on a limited basis. Regulars would get old.

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I gave up expecting gas money long ago.. Occasionaly someone will throw me some cash and its nice ..but I dont expect it .
My least favorite thing about guests is there unpreparedness .. nO SHOES , NO MONEY , CHIT BEFORE WE LEAVE ETC ..

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

So did you get any ? lol :drink:

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Y'all have given me an idea. I am on 1/4 tank of gas, and I was gonna fill up on Friday. But, now I think I will wait until Saturday and pull up to the gas dock with a full load of people. After I dump $400+ into the gas tank, I want to see their reactions! :p

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

If we go, we'll put in at Ed Stone Park at Hwy 44. It's only half mile from my house. I hate all that idle zone from Monroe to 44. There isn't any idle zone from 44 all the way to Astor.

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Yea, I hate that Blue springs and then Hontoon zone, it is forever in the winter time when they enforce that section north of the springs. I know when you come out of the 44 cove into the river, it gets really shallow right there at the mouth next to where that railing where everybody likes to fish. And with the river down, I don't want to hit anything. My depth gauge is bust (just received new transducer today) And it's a steep ramp as well, don't know how my crappy trailer will deal with loading there, I can't remember if it's steeper than Lk Monroe park (northside of river) I can load there easy. If you go, what time do you think you'll be there?

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Only going for half a tank? :D

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Unsane,
Me, Kwest, Bajabennett, and another Baja owner are going out of Port of Canveral on Sat, 5/27/06, around 12 to 1pm, we are going to run down the beach to Sebastion inlet, go back in to the ICW, stop @ Capt Hirams to have lunch, then backup the ICW to Merritt Island?
You are more than welcome, if you are so inclined. I'll send you a pm with my cell #.
Dean

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Unsane, that's the main reason I don't like that launch. It's too steep, and hard to get the boat on the trailer properly. There isn't an issue with depth, if you go straight out of that cover to the center of the river. Monroe ramp isn't nearly as steep. It's the best I've seen since we moved here.

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Actually yes! :D

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Got a call from my bro yesterday and he's coming into town. And another friend from downstate may be coming up so it looks like I will be hosting a sausagefest this weekend! LOL

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Cuda...got to Astor (by water), then phone rings.......seems my brother made early dinner reservations, so here I am at home about to leave for that (have mom with me). we had to turn around right away to make it. :mad: Was going back up there in the AM, but Dean's thing looks better, about to call him. I have my strainer but not put in, how long does that usually take? Am I ok running the coast one time without it this time of year?

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

I think I'm a good guest because of how I lived, would say grew up, but I'm not at that point yet!!!! :D

I've gone with my neighbor fishing a few times as his guest on his boat. If you watch T.V you have seen his excersise equipment ad's. Despite having a good idea of this guy's net worth I not only insist on paying for something on these outings. The last time snuck inside gas station and paid the entire bill and have on other occasions argued over who should pay as well. I also buy a bottle of wine with a simple thank you note given the next day.

Growing up my family home was on a beach near Vancouver, B.C. Alot of people took advantage looking back on growing up at that place. The worse I left my Sea Ray on a buoy outfront of our house and a un-expected storm swamped it. The seats got ruined from the salt water and needed to be redone. One of my Mom's "friends" husbands owned a upholstery shop and he was a frequent guest and user of that boat. This guy almost every weekend would bring his buddies down to our house and they would use our property as their personel hang out, even water ski behind our boat and full use of other toy's as if they where his. Not once did they pay for anything. He not only charged me for redoing the interior, did'nt even offer a slight discount on labor rates or materials.

Nothing peeves me more than people thinking you should give them a free ride cause you are "richer" than them!!!! With my neighbor being a founder behind a major excersise machine biz, I could easy justify taking a free ride, the guy's brother in-law does because this guy can afford it. But I don't because pun intended I've been in both boats!

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G,
You will be fine without it, as long as you don't hit bottom! :cool: We be running about 1/2 mile off the beach. Look forward to meeting you, and seeing that new Fountain! :drink: Should be a great run, we've got 5 boats going as of now!
Dean

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Let's just say I will NOT be having anyone that is not my DIRECT friend stay again!!...I've learned my lesson and my berber in the cockpit and the carpet in the cabin are now outside being cleaned because someone who was NOT even asked to stay...Over it! :mad:

Re: How do you guys handle this..
 

Shore, we pulled up to the Glen yesterday, but it was such a mess, we didn't go in the spring. Damn near got t-boned by some idiot at idle. He was talking on the cell phone, instead of looking where he was going. We headed north out of there, and up to Porky's for lunch. Lot's of LEO around.

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The weather was pretty crappy Sunday (windy and threatening rain) none of the women wanted to go. So me and 3 buddies went out for a blast. Had a great time, 2-3 footers and WFO, cant run like that with the ladies on board (except my wife). Got back in some calm water, figured my passengers had had enough. They said lets go do that again, cool. Went back burned about 60 gallons for the day.

When I got back to the dock they had passed the hat and offered me $200. I really appreciated that but turned them down. They did pick up the lunch and dinner tabs :cool: I enjoyed the hell out of that run and really had a good time with the guys. Worth every penny :drink:

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Shore,

Well i had a similar weekend :mad: I had an old roommate bring himself, girlfriend, and another couple down sunday, Didn't even tell me until they werer half way to teh lake in the car. Talk about pissed, out all day $150 in gas at the marina case of beer and six of stoli. ALL I PAID FOR,, NO ONE PITCHED IN, PHUCK I am sick of this chit.

On the way back one of the girls noted she was a little uncomfortable riding with me since I had been drinking beer, I quickly told her that maybe they should buy their own boat and I will just meet up with them next time. :eek:

WILL :mad: :drink: