Boat Owner Responsibility (Guests)

[oldjeep]

For us, my lake house is my respite from my job and my wife's as well as is the boat. Some people want a bunch of randies on their boat but I want to get away from them. Many times I will fly across the country from meetings and straight up to the lake....I just don't want guests. Plenty of boats for sale and lake homes as well. It's a state comprised of boats and lakes...open up CL and start shopping.
I've had some crazy requests from people over the years. I don't care what your weight is, I'm equal opportunity.

Which is fine, but inviting someone and then kicking them off the boat is pretty rude.

 

[JoLin]

I certainly would not invite random people or even casual acquaintances out on our boat. But for those who are invited, I would not suggest they get off the boat at the first sign of being scared. I would do what I could to make them feel at ease.

To the OP, I think in the back of your mind you know that you are more rigid about how you conduct your boating social activities, and wanted to see if you were more to an extreme or within the norm. Based on the responses, I think you got your answer.

I'm with Ted. I've had first-timers aboard, and I know they have some level of trepidation. A little encouragement always helps them through it. I'm happy to show folks the ropes and teach them as much as they care to learn about boating. Look, it's your boat. Do it however you want to do it. But, I don't care for your approach. I'd never renege on an invitation, and I'd never tell someone who was nervous, that they shouldn't go. They can make that decision, and even if we'd left the dock and they decided they couldn't go through with, they'd be returned with my sympathy and no hard feelings.

My .02

 

[ondarvr]

Interesting thread.

​I arrange camping trips where we supply transportation to a location that can only be reached by boat (it's not always the same location), we shuttle people to the site in several boats, there is nothing needed on the participants part other than a good attitude. It's open to anyone in their family or a friend with no limitations, if they can somehow get in the boat, even with help, they can come.

​I/we will even supply all the camping gear and food if needed, plus fishing gear, it's a camping/fishing/fun event.

​I was tired of the typical business entertainment event where it was adult guys only doing what adult guys do when they're unsupervised. This trip is open to anyone in the company from my customer, you don't need to be someone special, and you're encouraged to bring kids, parent's, grand parents, anyone you want to bring with you.

​Most of these trips are on rivers that require jet boats, so it may be even a little more scary for some folks, but we ease them into it and if they want to go we'll get them there and back.

We camp on remote islands, catch fish, cook them, plus have other special meals, big campfires, lots of stories, special games, etc.

​There's nothing more enjoyable than seeing a trip like this from a child's point of view that's never done something like this before, the child can of any age.

 

[LuvBoating]

Again, we aren't a rude couple. The co-worker thanked my wife at work for not taking her and her husband out. She was just too scared and she showed that fear. We just don't have the type of personality to TRY and calm someone down that really doesn't want to be on a boat.

​Just like most boaters have told me, "it's your boat, your responsibility. You take onboard who you chose to." If I see any kind of fear in a person's face, at the dock or once on our boat, I will politely tell them "sorry, can't take you out" and why. Wife and I aren't going to take the chance of someone "freaking-out" on the water!

​

 

[98Shabah]

Pretty interesting thread here.. I guess I kind of see this from many perspectives. We're on our 3rd boat, i've been boating since I was a toddler.. We've invited neighbors, coworkers, relatives, friends, etc.. After a day on the water we can easily tell who will probably never come again, or who won't bring their kids the next time. The only issues we've had in all these years are a little boy who's parents didn't make him mind (they were never invited again), and a couple of 20 somethings my wife invited from her work.. they met us at the ramp, brought hard liquor, got hammered, and ruined the enjoyment of a day on the water for me, my wife, and our 10 year old daughter with their loud drunken BSing all day long.

We've only had one instance where we had to un-invite a couple (we make up an excuse to keep from hurting their feelings).. It was a woman that my wife works with, her husband, and their daughter.. My wife had invited them before asking for my input.. All three of them were, uhm, "portly", and we had an 18' bowrider at the time with a mercruiser 3.0 4-banger.. there is just absolutely no way that would have worked.

 

[R055]

I also thought the first post was a joke. I take anyone on my boat that wants to go and has invited me somewhere atleast once in the last year. I usally go with friends (age 20-25) and have never had any issues with over weight friends. I have a big extended family and some of my aunts/uncles are on the big side. Yes I cringe inside when I hear they want to go boating with me but have never turned anyone down. The only guy I've ever turned down was a guy from my church camp because the last time that guy talked to me was exacly a year ago asking me to take him on the boat.

Also, good looking single girls are also never turned down

 

[LuvBoating]

I also thought the first post was a joke. I take anyone on my boat that wants to go and has invited me somewhere atleast once in the last year. I usally go with friends (age 20-25) and have never had any issues with over weight friends. I have a big extended family and some of my aunts/uncles are on the big side. Yes I cringe inside when I hear they want to go boating with me but have never turned anyone down. The only guy I've ever turned down was a guy from my church camp because the last time that guy talked to me was exacly a year ago asking me to take him on the boat.

Also, good looking single girls are also never turned down

​Yes, but this is YOU. Obviously, there are boaters on this thread that have a difference in opinion on who, and who not to, take out.

 

[R055]

​Yes, but this is YOU. Obviously, there are boaters on this thread that have a difference in opinion on who, and who not to, take out.

I agree and was just giving my input. The boat is yours and it's your choice who to take and who to not take.

 

[LuvBoating]

I agree and was just giving my input. The boat is yours and it's your choice who to take and who to not take.

Thanks!

 

[thumpar]

The only time I have denied a ride was to a Great Dane a friend had. Everyone else is welcome. I even take newborn babies out without fear. Maybe it is because I grew up with boats just being there and not a big deal.

 

[LuvBoating]

We took our female Husky on our boat. Had a Doggie Life Vest on her. She loved it!

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I have very serious restrictions on my boat as well. No obesity, dogs, pukers, or mixed drinks, no mother inlaws either.