Boat Owner Responsibility (Guests)

[LuvBoating]

IOW, who should wife and I allow to ride in our boat (with us) and who not to? Is a person's weight, health (if known), age and boating experience deciding factors?

How much responsibility do the boat owners, who are onboard, have?

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[LuvBoating]

Some info now: Our boat is a 1992 20' Celebrity 200 Cuddy Cabin w/a Mercruiser 5.7L I/O (350) engine.....so, it can "get up and go", but most have it at a lower speed. Have had the boat since April 2009 and numerous repairs/replacements done on it. We are both close to 70 yrs old.

Anyway, here are a couple of short stories that happened to us, concerning guests:

My wife, with me agreeing, invited a much younger couple to go for a ride with us on our boat at The Landing in Jacksonville. The current there can be sort of rough and there was some small waves. They were there when we got there from storage. Gave them each a vest. The wife, of the couple got in first, and I could automatically tell that she was scared. "The only boat we've ever been on is a cruise ship." she told me. Before he got in, I immediately told them, "I'm sorry, but we can't take you with us." Fortunately, they boat completely understood and she got out and they gave us our vests back.

Then, back in Colorado, my wife was going to invite a co-worker and her husband to go on our 1989 16' Invader Bowrider. I had met the lady and knew she was fairly obese and told my wife "sorry, want her weight as my responsibility. Wife completely understood and gave the lady and some excuse about why they couldn't go with us. The lady accepted the excuse.
Also, while in Colorado, another of wife's co-workers, and her husband was asked to go out with us. Thing is with them, they use to own/use a Bowrider. Took them out, beached the boat and had a good time talking/eating and a couple of beers on the lake beach. Had absolutely nothing to worry about with this couple.

Now, living at the apt. complex we're at, we know of a single older (63) man who has expressed a "like to go with you" to us. Our boat was in for repair and we told him that. Also, our next door neighbor, a short/plump type and her 13 yr. old daughter has expressed the same. The mother told me that she's been on a pleasure boat before.
Don't really know about either of them.

Since we've lived here, it's only been wife and I on our boat. .

 

[82rude]

WOW, all i can say is wow.You are of course allowed to do what ever you want but.......

 

[muskyfins]

As the captain, you can decide whomever you want or don't want on your boat.

I don't know that there's a libility for someone having a heart attack or something. Maybe if something happens due to negligence, (collisions, not enough PFD's, drunk driving, etc) But attorneys can always find fault.

The problem is reneging at the last moment. Maybe they understood. Maybe they were just being polite.

 

[roscoe]

The only people I've denied a ride, were either unaccompanied kids, or on one occasion, someone who physically could not get onto the boat.

And a few drunks.

 

[LuvBoating]

We are "judgmental" and I see nothing wrong with that, especially when it comes to safety and such. Better being "judgmental" than sorry later.

 

[flyingscott]

Judgmental is a nice way of saying what you are. I pose this question to you at your age what would happen if you had a stroke or a heart attack while driving. Should the people at the boat landing be "judgmental" of your age. I would recommend this if the people can get in and out of the boat take them with you. Why not share the boating experience with people teach them how to drive a boat, pass on your knowledge. The most fun I ever had in boats was bringing new boaters with us and I got a lot of good friendships out of it. I carry insurance and I am a responsible boater I make sure the boat is correctly equipped. A single mom and her child or an older gentleman who might be lonely, I would jump on taking them in the boat with me not many can afford a boat. It would be nice if you showed a little kindness towards those people. If something would happen on your boat it, would happen while they are having fun not at home on the couch. It may surprise how much fun it is sharing your boat with people.

 

[jkust]

My philosophy after boating as long as we have is get your own boat and I'll see you out on the water. We get a lot of wannabe free-loaders trying to invite themselves to our lake house. People literally asking on facebook that we are barely even acquainted with. Like having a pool here, suddenly everyone comes out of the woodwork when you have one. Non-lake people generally aren't compatible with the whole lifestyle as we have learned. We have a great time with all of our friends who are also on the lake and live the life. We've all had this same conversation as well.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

If you feel someone is heavy enough to go over your max weight just ask them how much they weigh. Ask your wife how much she weighs as well. You may just end up boating alone. My oh my. Laugh of the day.

 

[oldjeep]

I'd maybe just keep the boating to you and your wife or prescreen your guests for fear, weight and maybe how bad their breath is

 

[Scott Danforth]

if friends of mine or the admiral want to go boating, I bring them. I usually make them buy lunch on the water or beer for the cooler. a few of them watched as I filled the tank and tossed a few $ my way for fuel.

Rules on the boat are simple. I have 50% more PFD's than required because I have sizes for kids thru XXXL because people come in all sizes - wear your PFD. No shoes on the boat, no hats on your head that you cant live without. Apply your own sunscreen. No red wine or red mix drinks unless its in a spill proof container. No throwing anything overboard (I have made people go in the water to retrieve objects). If you are prone to getting sea sick, let me know before you blow. If you soil the boat, you clean the boat.

Hobbies are intended to be enjoyed. once you stop enjoying it, its no longer a hobby

 

[LuvBoating]

Judgmental is a nice way of saying what you are. I pose this question to you at your age what would happen if you had a stroke or a heart attack while driving. Should the people at the boat landing be "judgmental" of your age. I would recommend this if the people can get in and out of the boat take them with you. Why not share the boating experience with people teach them how to drive a boat, pass on your knowledge. The most fun I ever had in boats was bringing new boaters with us and I got a lot of good friendships out of it. I carry insurance and I am a responsible boater I make sure the boat is correctly equipped. A single mom and her child or an older gentleman who might be lonely, I would jump on taking them in the boat with me not many can afford a boat. It would be nice if you showed a little kindness towards those people. If something would happen on your boat it, would happen while they are having fun not at home on the couch. It may surprise how much fun it is sharing your boat with people.

Yes, we are judgmental and for what we are judgmental about, we think it's a smart way to be.

If you don't want to be that way, that's entirely up to you.

I'm too old to teach someone about boating and the people who seem to be interested in going with us, doubt very seriously that they'd ever want or afford one. Not only that, they haven't expressed any more interest since the one time.

Actually, we completely understand and agree with the posting after yours.

 

[LuvBoating]

My philosophy after boating as long as we have is get your own boat and I'll see you out on the water. We get a lot of wannabe free-loaders trying to invite themselves to our lake house. People literally asking on facebook that we are barely even acquainted with. Like having a pool here, suddenly everyone comes out of the woodwork when you have one. Non-lake people generally aren't compatible with the whole lifestyle as we have learned. We have a great time with all of our friends who are also on the lake and live the life. We've all had this same conversation as well.

Totally agree with this posting!!

 

[MH Hawker]

the captain is responsible for it all, its that simple

i often take people out. but its a pontoon so i have lots of room, and i dont mind if drink or two is consumed but will put them on the bank in heart beat for being drunk and stupid and i have, i use the old pea break trick

 

[tpenfield]

WOW, all i can say is wow.You are of course allowed to do what ever you want but.......

+1 . . . yea, I'm right there with you.

I can't imagine the amount of dental work I'd have to go through if I told some woman they were too fat to ride on my boat

Anyone who shows up with a cooler of beer at the dock is welcome aboard Historically it has been mostly extended family and friends . . .for those not comfortable on boats, we try to make things enjoyable and safe.

 

[boatman37]

The only people that usually go out with us is our kids and their significant others. We did take a longtime friend of mine and his wife a few weeks ago. I just told them to bring whatever they would want to drink or eat. We had our own drinks and snacks, which they were welcome to.

Having said that, we have been friends since we were babies (literally). Wife has a couple of 'freeloader' friends that keep asking but I told her they are not welcome and she agrees. The one is single and has a pool and hot tub. She is always inviting others over to swim but we have never been invited (even before we had the boat). I don't care for the girl anyway so no hard feelings there. There is another that is 40, has never had a job and lives off of mommies paycheck (still lives at home). She always expects everything be given to her. She plays alot of bingo and if she pre-buys your ticket for you and you win then she expects half of the money. Or if you have to run to the bathroom and she watches your cards for 2 minutes and you win she expects half the pot and will say it out loud in front of everyone. I have no problem helping others but if you are too lazy to get a job and help yourself then don't expect me to help you. There is nothing wrong with her that she can't work. I told my wife she can get a job and buy her own boat.

 

[flyingscott]

Free loaders are one thing. A single mom and her child and an elderly gentleman are something else entirely.I am curious did they ask you directly or was it mentioned in passing as part of a conversation. Let's stop calling it judgmental you are a guy who does not like fat people and you made sure we know it. Now you are on here trying to get us to tell you how to get out of it. And using age and health as a criteria makes you a hypocrite since you are almost 70. If you would have said I am uncomfortable taking people out in your boat that is an entirely different conversation. So maybe you and your wife should go out in your boat by yourselves and leave it at that. Because from what I have seen you post they will probably be happier and have more fun on their couch.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Anyone who shows up with a cooler of beer at the dock is welcome aboard

Hey Ted, What do you like to drink :thumb:

 

[LuvBoating]

Free loaders are one thing. A single mom and her child and an elderly gentleman are something else entirely.I am curious did they ask you directly or was it mentioned in passing as part of a conversation. Let's stop calling it judgmental you are a guy who does not like fat people and you made sure we know it. Now you are on here trying to get us to tell you how to get out of it. And using age and health as a criteria makes you a hypocrite since you are almost 70. If you would have said I am uncomfortable taking people out in your boat that is an entirely different conversation. So maybe you and your wife should go out in your boat by yourselves and leave it at that. Because from what I have seen you post they will probably be happier and have more fun on their couch.

The guy seen us unloading boat equipment from our vehicle and a short conversation started up. I mentioned about "sometime going out with us", but he really didn't say "ok" or "no thanks". That's where it was left and he never mentioned our boat again.

Don't remember how it got into the conversation with the 40 yr old lady and her daughter. But, again, she hasn't brought it up to us again.

So, since nether of these people have shown any real interest.....

Anyway, I shouldn't have brought it up to either one of them, because we prefer married couples, preferably our age bracket or a little younger, to hang out with. No single people and definitely no smokers to do anything with. Our choice and no "if, ands or buts about it".

Like most are saying, it's our boat and we have the choice of who rides or not.

BTW, have nothing against heavy/obese people, but our boat isn't big enough for too heavy a person.

 

[LuvBoating]

From what I can tell in this Thread, different boat owners have different ideas about who they allow on their boat.

Perhaps, due to some responses, I should have given this Thread more thought before putting it on the forum. Seriously, more thought.