wjb21ndtown

Ain't that the truth!!!

Speaking of "passenger etiquette" I have a much harder time getting first (and sometimes second and even third timers) to understand how to properly behave and "lend a hand" on the boat.

The worst passenger is "Mr. My-Dad-Used-To-Have-A-Boat," and he is a know-it-all that can't be told "no" and wants to do EVERYTHING (but can't seem to tie a knot at the dock).

I rarely need a hand docking my boat, unless it is crazy windy (and even then I'm generally ok, my boat has very good dock manners). I can't stand when passengers get nervous when you get close to a dock or pylon that you plan to use while docking the boat, and then they shove you away from it. That and shoes are the two biggest no-no's on my boat.

Last weekend a friend of mine got his though... it was HILARIOUS!!! He IS "Mr. My-Dad-Used-To-Have-A-Boat."

I know he's overly anxious to help, and I know that once he gets his mind set on "helping" I can't talk him out of it, so I explained to him that I was going to use the pylon at the end of the dock to pivot off of to bring the boat in. There was already a boat in the well, and it's only about an extra 8-10"s wide. I wanted to stay nice and tight to the dock. He said "what's that mean?" And I explained that it means NOT to push me away from the dock, just keep the boat tight to it and pull it down toward the hi-low.

Well... hahaha... he was at the stern of the boat and I couldn't tell what the heck he was doing (but remember, you can't tell him anything... he knows everything!!!). I asked him "are you pushing us away or pulling us in closer?" (mind you the boat was completely off at this point, and we were "home." All that was left to do was to grab two lines and tie it up) He didn't respond, but the boat kept drifting further and further away from the dock. I was waiting for him to pull us in when SPLASH!!! in he went. It was HILARIOUS and he was PISSED!!! The boat that was sitting next to us in the well that I was trying to respect its space was filled with women and all 10 or so of them were cracking up, as were the two other girls on my boat. He blamed everyone but himself as everyone cracked up and ignored his moronic whining. He left and went to the car and pouted, but I still thought it was hilarious.

1MOSES1

for some of us including me...our boat doesnt consume a lot of fuel relatively speaking (comparing our fastech to a twin 1075 cigarette), so the $20 is appreciated as it usually costs us around $100 to top off from around 3/4 tank. for some members i can see its a joke as it probably costs some around 1k to fill. for others it doesnt.

Gladhe8er

I never charge for gas. Luckily my friends generally offer to pick up sandwiches and supply the beer/alcohol. Last summer I did not have to buy one case of beer from the liquor store because there was always tons of left over beer after the day's fun and they always just say "keep it." Thats when I get to sit on the couch and start crackin' open some cans!

Mastercraft240

+1. You dont invite someone over for dinner and give them half the grocery shopping list either. If you invite someone as a guest, cost is on you. I've never thought of charging a guest for anything.

Airpacker

My point was it costs 5 to 6 hundred bucks to fill my boat with gas. I will burn that easy on the average poker run so is the 20 spot really going to make a difference. Someone who doesn't "get it" might think 20 bucks is alot of gas. To those who do "get it" would for the most part, not bother offering you 20 bucks for gas as they would realize that might be enough fuel to warm up the motor and get off the trailer. They might offer to pay the entire gas bill for the poker run though. Thats all.

1MOSES1

i understood your point and i dont argue it...im actually agreeing with you, but you have to keep in mind some of us like me...it doesnt cost as much to fill the boat. so the $20 off actually is of value. just my 0.02

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

very good and valid points. When i was younger i could see it working out within my group of friends in this way.

kennyo

If you invite them the gas is on you.....If they invite themselves....well that's another story! Bring your own dang beer and food! Of course most of my friends are conservatives and understand this principle...

klaw

I have never charged for gas or poker run fees All of my friends know how expensive this can be so they pick up all of land based costs (drinks and food)

I had a friend at the house once and we were talking about it and I said ok lets sit here and every minute hand me $5 and see how long it takes till you dont want to pay for gas anymore LOL.

Alot of casual friend have no idea on what it costs to run a offshore boat I think they would choke on a $600 fillup.

The liabiliy issue raises its head in all things

I have some big parties at the house and this year took a year off and everyone said just charge everyone. Not that I would but to show the girlfiend I asked my insurance agent he pitched a fit and questioned my sanity. Charging for anything changes all of your liability issues.

Tom A.

Great thread!
Agree 100% with the expect nothing from your guests. Those that get it and bring food, drinks, etc. are the ones that get multiple invites and usually go out of their way to be appreciative.
As a passenger (in this hobby it happens sometimes more than we would like ), I always go out of my way to take someone to dinner, provide food or drinks, and in a few situations where I did multiple poker runs with the same person, slip the fuel dock attendant my credit card to pay for the fuel.
That really pissed him off and made me laugh! I know he really appreciated it!