Ride Share/Boat Slutting
 

Curious if there were a "ride share" area located on the board if people would use it?

Basically, Someone posts up an event (poker run, races, etc) they would like to attend that is considerable distance from them geographically and someone from the requested area contacts the inquiring party and they work out a trade for the opportunity to attend the event with them in their vessel. Either strait monetary compensation or they could have the favor returned to attend an event on the other party's vessel at their home location.

Hypothetical scenario:

I want to go to the emerald coast poker run or key west but don't really have the time to haul my boat 20+hours to attend and wouldn't really know where I am going once I get there. So I am looking for a boater for my wife and I to ride along with for the event.

Through an area on the board I am able to post the inquiry and I find someone that is willing to let my wife and I ride along and join them for the event. I offer a trade of sorts in that they can pick an event to come to at LOTO (shootout, mwbp poker run etc.) and join us in our boat to see the area and stay in our rental condo. The two parties are able to coordinate travel, lodging, expectations of the trip, expenses, etc.

As I was working today I was thinking about an upcoming key west trip that may or may not be happening and what a logistical pain it is to get a group of people from my geographical area to make the haul and commit to the event. Then I got to thinking about the fact that I have put 66 hours on my boat this year and usually it is just my wife and I and possibly our kid and there has got to be someone that probably would be happy to attend the shootout or other event and fill up a couple of our seats.

I realize that the potential exists to end up with someone that your personalities don't gel. I also realize that this would be more for the Average Joe type of boater that doesn't have a million dollar skater or a six figure poker run budget (because they would just pay their hauler to ship their boat to the event).

So, curious if I am crazy in thinking this sort of thing might be a good idea?

-Josh

Josh, not a bad idea at all. Only 66hrs??? You are slipping. We were on board for a few of them.
Just post up some hot pics of Angel and someone will at least give her a boat ride in Key West :lolhit:
I think people might be a little leary of the commitment with someone they have never met though. I also think it might get abused by people wth nothing to offer in return and just looking for free rides.

Scott, I agree with your statements. My personal biggest fear would be I line something up and Angel and I show up and we are with a crew similar to the crew in the white trash fountain ad on ebay.

I suppose it would boil down to the old risk/reward scenario.

As far as the hot pics of Angel that doesn't work so well with her career if you know what I mean. I haven't even mentioned to her yet that the trip probably isn't happening. I actually have three different options for her to choose from since we already have a sitter for the kid to stay at our house and take him to school and stuff (plus she would kill me if I didn't have a contingency plan).

Hey Scott, our other condo is open this weekend and we have room in our boat for the harbor hop (you could even bring the kids, we'll have Everest with us).

That is why I do not offer to more people visiting FL, I kinda gotta know you, or at least you have to be a long time poster on one of the boards, so I can tell your not some kinda weirdo. I have given a few visitors a day out on the boat, and I can deal with a freak, but my wife would tie the anchor to them, and throw them overboard:lolhit:.

I think your missing the point....

Nobody is twisting your arm to give a ride. There are a lot of people here, quite a few have met before or have known each other here for a while and then there are people who are unknown. Just because you have an extra seat for blah blah poker run and post it doen't mean you have to give it to the first guy that asks about it. In the 5 years or so I have been around the boards I have met some really great people and had some really good times.

Pretty cool idea!!!!

Ok then,

I think it would work. I have been given a few rides also, some amazing ones, more than I can give in return, and agree that someday I would like to see LOTO, and havasu, but probably not going to trailer that far, and most people visit florida eventually, and probably wouldnt want to tow down here.

Yeah, that was sort of my point that you only do it if you want to etc and in speaking with the person you can get a good feel for whether it is a good fit. For instance, if someone wanted to hang with us for the weekend and they were 21 yrs old and asked to bring their beer bong I would quickly determine that it wouldn't be a good fit for my wife and I.

I agree we have met so many great people boating and the great people far outnumber the DB's we have dealt with.

I have found that most boaters are very similar in nature have worked very hard for what they have and like to enjoy their time on the water. I just thought this might be a cool way to potentially meet people from other areas.

Sounds like a really good idea. I have made some long azz trailer trips to go boating and you are always at the mercy of the weather etc when you arrive. You never know where the good ramps, docks, bars etc are and if you don't know anyone in the area, it can be a disaster if you happen to take a wrong turn by the hidden rock that only the natives know about . I know I would like to do LOTO someday but thats one heck of a trailer ride from here. Same goes for Havazoo. There is some pretty spectacular boating and several really good poker / fun runs that happen up here that I am certain visitors would really enjoy as well BUT, its a long azz trailer ride from the southern states to Ontario so a ride swap deally could be just the ticket.



It would definately be a great way for some to see other parts of the boating world, thats for sure.

As for conflict and personality clashes, pretty sure most could be avoided just by relating the person in question to their history on the board. If they are somewhat of a pennis head on here, odds are they are in real life too. Conversly, if they have been here a while and no BS follows them, odds are they would make good crew. At least they should understand how to lend a hand with lines and fenders. :)

I think it is a great idea Josh and worth exploring. We often get OSO's visiting SW Florida and some have joined us for an FMO event. Many are too shy to ask when seats are available but if there were a system in place to facilitate it, would be great. Rather than take money I have sometimes suggested if a person wants to make a donation to FMO's charitable fund raising would be nice.

BTW, 4 of us OSO's are leaving Marco Island this afternoon for Key West and have some room if you can get here by 2 PM. LOL

Bob

See ya in 2 hours:evilb: Just kidding Bob, but the rides I was referring to were with you, Birdog, and a few others, thanks again, I would offer a return ride in my high powered canoe, but it is well................... just plain ghetto compared to the experience you guys gave me. I AM going to run to cabbage key with a few of the outboard guys next week, and if all goes well, may join you guys for the Thanksgiving run:drink:

Rick

Just like I would be leery of letting a stranger ride with me I would be hesitant to ride in someones boat I dont know.
Some people seem very nice on the forums but drive insanely or
behave badly around large groups.
As for trades I would rather just cover some of their costs and make my own arrangements. Cover 1/4 to 1/2 (depending how many on boat) the fuel and entry fee for the person giving me the ride.
Just like when buy a boat and/or car maybe best thing would be to reference other members and ask for reccomendations on who would be a good match ?

Sounds like an awesome idear...:drink::drink:

Good points. And in many cases I think monetary would be the way to go. I also agree with driver styles and tendencies. For instance over the shootout Donnie from leverage potentially needed a ride one day. I told him no problem but I also laid out the plan for the day, the fact that we would be out from 10am till dark and that the ride home would be a bit bumpy due to all of the boat traffic. So, people would have to be honest with one another as far as the plan, expectations etc..
Back to the golden rule I guess, "Treat others how you would want to be treated."

Bob, I also think the charity idea is a great one as well. Wish I could get there by two LOL. At least we have the Harbor Hop at LOTO this weekend with a forecast for blue bird skies and temps in the mid 80's so I guess it could be worse.

What if you were to make arrangements to have someone(or yourself) pay $$ for a ride on your boat, or you on theirs, then someone gets injured, and there is evidence online about the exchange of $$, sounds like lawsuit to me. I would prefer to show someone a good time, then when back at the dock after the run if they wanna kick something in it is up to them, or the preferred way of just oweing each other rides. The $$ exchange to me sounds like too many people not buying boats knowing they can come on OSO and offer $$ to pay for a ride whenever they decide. I am not putting down the section, I think it is a great idea, and I love to meet new people, and show them around down here, but there needs to be some rules laid out before it becomes a free for all.

I agree, when money starts changing hands it can become a liability nightmare. I'd much rather show someone a good time and have them buy me a cold beverage, than ask for or accept cash. I love Bob's idea of a charitable donation as well.

I also think it could become somewhat of a free for all without some general rules. I get asked for enough rides, and I don't have anywhere near the hardware that most have. Don't get me wrong, I love sharing boating with others, but I can only imagine how many people would just start posting asking everyone for rides.

As an aside... we will be in Naples the last week of April, and are planning to drag the Formula down with us. I hope we can put some faces to the screenames of the some of southwest FL crew. :drink:

I would like to go on your next big trip to the VI or wherever really, I would love to learn from you the navigation aspect of getting a trip together, planning, plotting, executing, etc

Let me know, ill pay my way, and maybe some of yours as well :)

I am sure you won't have a problem getting people in SW Florida to show you around, we just put together a run to Cabbage Key in a short period of time over on S&F with the outboard crew. I usually ride alone(wife is not much for traveling to go for a boatride, or rough water), and always have room on the boat for 1-2, but I also do not have the flash that some here have, just a skinny little boat with 3 seats, and a big motor strapped to the back:eek:

Randy, I know you well enough that I can say, it will be a pleasure to have you along. I am shipping Team PREDATOR back to St Thomas in late January and will spend time on and off in the Islands thru until late May when we will again do the 2011 BVI poker run before coming home. My next adventure will be going all the way "down Island " so there will be lots of opportunity. We can talk further as we get closer.
Bob

Sounds perfect :grinser010:

-Artie

I think its a great idea. Its a great opportunity to meet more people off oso. And you can always background the person on here. One post and you will most likely get a few replies about the person in question.

Terrible idea for liability reasons. If someone got hurt the site could be sued. I hate lawyers.........

Far from perfect, it gets the job done, but is a handful to drive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuq55nvN3vo :eek:

Without citing specific articles, the communication act deal stipulates that a website that survives basically on the postings of the masses is not responsible for those posts.. like craiglist arguement about hooker adds... craigslist was never sued or charged I dont think. So oso would not be in the liable catagory as the forum provides an oppurtunity for people to discuss ride sharing but doesnt actilvely arrange it itself.

I'm worried that it would just turn into a bunch of guys begging for rides and would get over run with such post in short order. Plus if someone did post to offer a ride, I can see them getting 20 responses from all sorts of people. I think it has the potential to work, but there will have to be a lot of behind the scenes communication to make sure suitable people hook up for boat rides.

Thanks for the offer. I was tossing around the idea about coming down all week, but decided I would stay here and boat the river. I've got about 3/4 tanks still left and this is probably gonna be last weekend to burn it up. Playing golf in an hour and kids have soccer stuff all weekend too.

i know what you mean about the pics of Angel and was 99% jokin around.

There is an ISP distinction for sites that are relatively unmoderated like CL. It gets trickier for sites like OSO that have more moderation/rules people involved with running the site.

I agree though, there probably isn't any liability for the site in publishing the thread. There may be enough to get it into court though, and sometimes that's all it takes...

I think things got slightly off track once we started into the liability end of things. If someone that I offered to join me at loto and stay in one of my condos for free ( hell, would probably even pick them up from the airport) had the audasity to sue me for a stumble I guess karma would hopefully get them and what karma didn't take care my umbrella policy would.


Pretty much you post: Looking to attend John Doe poker run would be my wife and I. Or We just had to members of our crew bail on us for the John Doe poker run looking last minute to fill their seats.

At that point anyone that would want a couple passengers for john doe poker run or could fill the vacated spots could send a pm with contact info to me and I can get with them to hash out the details. Pretty much it would just be an organized section to make the request. Would become way to busy if there was a bunch of back and forth banter in the area. The idea would be keep it simple and let the parties involved iron out the details. Definately not looking to create an auction area/highest bidder situation at all.

Great points and that is why I think something like a trade of sorts I'll show you my area and you show me yours" would work well and that would weed out the meat head types that are just looking to spill beer in someones boat.

I figured you were joking, have fun on the river.

I love that Pantera!
Last year I posted I was going to be in Ft Lauderdale looking for a boat ride and Rchevelle71 stepped up right away. He went above and beyond being a gracious host and really hooked us up with a great time. I've watched his boat restoration and seen him for years on the forums so I felt I already knew him. Turned one to be one of the best days I've ever had on the water. Thanks again man! You know you have an open invite to ride in a slow little Apache.

Bob, you are the man!!! Have fun this weekend and take a couple pics for us inland boaters.

Awesome, that is the type of scenario I am talking about. There is something to be said about a local and their first hand knowledge of an area. You could boat for a week and wouldn't be able to see what they can show you in a day..

This is a cool idea.

Having actually given 2 out of town guys rides on my boat this summer, it is a good way to meet some fellow boaters and show someone around. I assume they had fun too (hopefully).

You can get a decent feel for if someone is respectful by their posts.

I'd say most of the posts would be people posting looking for a ride, and then if you are able to offer one you contact them. Posting open seats could create awkwardness if several people want them maybe?

Its lso nice if your comming in for a run from outof the area. Leopa holds a few runs around my area. If you don't know this end of the lake, you can be buying new props really quick. Having a local that knows the area to keep you out of trouble can be a definite asset.

I have no problem being a boat slut, Going to Miami and got a ride to Key West on a friends boat, we used my boat for Desert Storm.
So it all works out :)

Great idea...........but rides can be scary with the wrong person at the wheel! I have run 100+ mph with others at the wheel that were smooth as can be and I have seen guys at 60 MPH I don't want to even be near, nevermind in their boat.

Your welcome Jim, How are you and Tammy, just passing back what has been given to me by others, and I believe that is what the original intent of this thread was, and I agree 100%, but when $$ changes hands on paper(or the internet), it can get tricky. I agree there should be a section for people to hook up for meetings, and ask/offer boat rides, but I will not respond to anyone I have not met offering $$ for a boat ride, however I will almost always offer up a free ride, and if ya wanna pitch in gas $$ that is fine, otherwise a few beers, and possibly lunch is enough, you went over the top leaving $$ in my truck, but I understand, I have done the same to others. To be honest with ya Jim, Paul actually deserves the thanks, I still havent even gotten a ride in that 32 Skater:grinser010:

For anyone interested, here is the link to the video from that day, and at the end you can see why I call it a high powered canoe:eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IwLxaF1mK0

I dont have much Knowledge, that is what scares me, but I know enough people to get by, the GPS does the rest:evilb:

I resemble that remark, but I blame the poor handling on the boat:grinser010: