How would you handle this problem

[joed]

Re: How would you handle this problem

The OP has stated that this is the only Marina on the lake and that the other lakes don't' allow HP over 10HP. He has no place to move other than to give up boating.

 

[MikDee]

Re: How would you handle this problem

There are always 2 sides to the story ... and somewhere in the middle lies the truth. Step back and, if possible, re-evaluate the situation without emotion or attachment. Now, what can be done to appease both sides?

Agree with TD, check your contract and get the Marina to enforce the rules. That might mean that you will have to alter your behavior also ... do you want to do that? Is it no fishing from the dock, or no fishing in the dock area? Your lawyer friend will help you sort through the legalize of the contract and help you understand what you can do and cannot do.

The best resolution is speaking face to face ... take him a case of his favorite beverage, or a cake, or invite him to a BBQ. Make nice, and in the process, explain why you don't appreciate his loud music. Ask if there is any compromise that can be reached ... you can catch more flies with sugar than with stink. Good luck. Catch him off guard with your niceness, then deal with him about the problems.

This is the Best Idea! Also, It may be the best way to help diffuse the situation.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: How would you handle this problem

My advice (worth what you paid for it):

* Try talking to him and being friendly. If he's a jerk, nothing will help, but it might do something if he sees you as more human and less as a picky neighbor

* Go the legal route. Assuming you've got a contract with the marina, they're supposed to make sure everyone plays nice...unfortunately this won't be in the written rules, it'll be in the implied ones, the ones that are common sense, so hard to enforce. If the marina won't do anything, you can sue the guy as stated. Sad that our system forces this so much nowadays.

* If you're like me and have a tig welder at home, take it to the dock and do a couple welding projects while he's blaring the music. TIG rigs emit insane amounts of RF radiation, so his expensive stereo will fry pretty quick, and no one will be able to prove a damn thing. Last resort though, so if you try this be already committed to moving somewhere else and be prepared to defend yourself in court... he won't win, but you'll still have to pay for a lawyer.

Erik

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Curious as to the marina rules & policy (hereafter to be known as a "contract"!) that you, he and everyone signed..I bet thats a legal document.

yep

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: How would you handle this problem

You know....there's probably another board somewhere that a guy has asked everyone about how to handle this guy who keeps harassing him about the music he plays at the marina.......

How do know that he is not one of the above egging this onward and encouraging escalation? He was described as a big bully. Maybe he wants a fight or someone to fix his boat.

Only a thought. I like the C4 and July 4th is coming....

 

[Bamby]

Re: How would you handle this problem

I think I know what lake you're on, but their are still choices available. Any chance of getting in on Salt fork, or Tappan both are unlimited horsepower lakes. Also on west is the Muskingum River which is where we boat at. The river has a few hazards until you know it but we love it there ourselves. Or another option is to do what we do, actually get in your boat and remove yourself from the situation. Every group seems to have at least one you know what, and the easiest way to avoid them is to remove yourself to a more enjoyable environment, maybe the Island or the sandbar? It's a boat and home is where you throw your anchor.

 

[v1_0]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Well...

I would go the noise cancelling route. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_cancellation

Or, I'd get something with an annoying whine - like a leaf blower - and start cleaning things.

How far away from his boat are you? Maybe something stinky (when you aren't there) might do to his nose what he does to your ears?

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Dealing with stupid people is uppredictible at best. I wouldnt be so pissed at music man as I would the owner of the place that filed your complaint with! If you rent/lease a space and have a valid complaint, your name should not be ran up the flag pole for everyone to know who complained!

My fight would be with the owners of the place that outted you instead of handling the problem.

What happened to the other people that the music man was pissing off? Why didnt they follow up with calls to the owner of the marina too? Power in numbers to say the least.

How long has music man been at this place?

IMO, id rig up a killer bumping system and play some of that kiddie Barnie the big gay purple dinosoar Cartoon crap (worked in Iraq).

If you start F'ing up his boat, he will return the favor with interest. I wouldnt fire that first shot.

But I would be calling the owner of the marina, the one who outted you as the 'snitch' and be PISSED! You pay for your slip, and that gives you the right to file a complaint if you are not able to enjoy what you are paying for.

 

[v1_0]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Dealing with stupid people is uppredictible at best. I wouldnt be so pissed at music man as I would the owner of the place that filed your complaint with! If you rent/lease a space and have a valid complaint, your name should not be ran up the flag pole for everyone to know who complained!

My fight would be with the owners of the place that outted you instead of handling the problem.

I agree. Sink the marina. Wait, that's not it. Ok, feed them to the sharks. You do have one, right?

 

[Dock Rat]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Here is an update for you

Legal advice: Our attorney said the only thing we could get him for is harassment, but we need video proof. Another option is him sending a letter to the marina requesting action on the suspected person.

Friendly talking to: This has been done numerous times by many of the other dock patrons. I've never raised my voice to him and have always been nice to him as I am to others. It is passed this stage completely and useless.

Contact with marina: Today my wife called the supervisor that in charge of the marina for the owner. The super told my wife that there were 3 complaints other than ours from Memorial day. (I thought just 2). Then from this past Saturday night, the owner was called at home by 3 different people tha before So now there are the total of 7 complaints all within 2 weeks. The super also stated that in order to remove him from the dock that they have to follow proper procedures. This time he gets a letter from the marina that states if he does not stop and decease, any more complaints will cause removal and termination of the contract from the marina as well as the park itself.

It turns out that many that know my wife and I are sticking up for us. Guess helping people with fuses, tape, wire, tools, etc. may have paid off after all. Or it could be the fish I catch and fry up for everyone to enjoy.

I sorta figured that the bully would hang himself for acting like a child. BTW, the other guy that helped instigate him turning the music up louder,,,,,he is getting a letter also. He as been at the dock for (I think) 24 years. Even his wife complained about the loud music last year and told him that she wouldn't come back until the idiot is gone or his sound system removed.

Got fresh tape, battery is charged and a place in my dock locker for a camera to look through. Just covering some bases in case the letter from the marina doesn't work. I think it will, at least for the sanity for my wife, I HOPE SO! Thanks from the Dock Rat!!!!!!!

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: How would you handle this problem

I'd make sure that I had a camera watching my boat for when he gets pissed off and comes looking for revenge. He's likely to vandalize things when he thinks no one is watching. Fear not but be ready.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: How would you handle this problem

I would try to be friendly and then ask him to please try and turn it down and tell him afterall YOU dont play music and make noise that bothers him. If he doesnt try to be reasonable I say buy a sound system that is louder than his and blast away. Someone then will approach you and you then say. "We are all free to do it and you will turn it down if everyone else will...Untill then buy ear plugs and make sure yours is louder and playing something you know he hates........Marry Popins.Larance Welk or maybe some good old Conway Twitty,LOL..........security cam is a good idea and let him see you installing them. People like this think its cool to forse others to listen to THEIR music. Believe me the minute he hears yours so loud he cant enjoy his the dodo will hit the fan.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: How would you handle this problem

You know....there's probably another board somewhere that a guy has asked everyone about how to handle this guy who keeps harrassing him about the music he plays at the marina.......

Ding...ding...ding......Give that man a cigar

 

[marine4003]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Dont feel bad..every marina has a fool..in mine it was the same scenario.."tough guy" blasting music.. idiot friends always hanging around on weekends,sucking down drinks getting rude ect...personally it doesn't bother me..i show up get on boat and go..but late last year and so far this year my wife & daughter have been joining me (captains choice exhaust) considering i dont like rap..and i dont need to have my daughter hear some rapper explain how to treat women, i asked twice for the music turned down,and cursing eliminated while we were unloading the boat...met with laughter....until i called DFW..CG and local sheriff...explained that a child was being endangered everytime we docked....WOW, that worked..booted from the marina...yea i got some threats...but theres one thing i have learned in life, the bigger and louder they are...the chances are good there spineless punks.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Just pray that he gets drunk one night and pulls a David Carradine.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Sounds like things are moving in the right direction for you. This is my first time reading the thread, and my first impression after getting through the first page was "he's the only guy that thinks this is wrong?!...and he's the only guy that has said something?!". So I'm happy for you that you're in good company.

It's a really unfortunate situation, but I have to believe good people will prevail. I agree with you that there's only so much talking that can be done w/jerks (though it's always good to try). And I agree w/most of the others that violence or vandalism isn't the way to go (now you're in legal water and odds are good a jerk like this will not be afraid to settle, or raise, the score). I disagree with the folks that said you should take legal action. I've been involved in a few legal disputes and I personally think they should be avoided at virtually all costs. They add up QUICK! Heck, might be cheaper to build your own marina!

Keep a cool head, a smile on your face and move quietly and tactfully to work with your neighbors to find a solution. In time, the good guys usually win.

 

[bhammer]

Re: How would you handle this problem

I was talking with a guy in a cove once, don't know how true it is, and he had a very similar problem. The guy and GF would show up and they would drink all day on the boat with the radio going full tilt. After several tries to get him to turn it down, he saught the legal route. Took him to small claims court with hours of video, bills for hearing protection and ear doctor visits and tests. Even managed to get money for asprin. $2500 later, the guy kept his radio down. He convinced the court that he had to walk past this guy to get out of the marina and if he was there, he lost time on his boat.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: How would you handle this problem

Dock Rat, thanks for the update. I too thought you were the only one upset with this guy. But now I see there are others, and the wheels of "justice" are turning. Glad to see others are with you and that the marina is taking the appropriate steps. You'll have to wait a bit, but be patient. It certainly does sound like things are moving in the right direction.

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: How would you handle this problem

This was never your problem to solve. You never had to say one word to the guy or do anything to him. This was/is the Marina's problem. Anyone who moves into a Marina, should read their rules and regulations before doing so. Then hold the Marina to those rules and regulations. Really not your job to enforce those rules and regulations

 

[Dock Rat]

Re: How would you handle this problem

What a GREAT weekend! The message has finally sunk through the thick skull of the music man. The owner of the park suggested that those involved with the retaliation of the said Dock Rat should be apologized to him. They did and now peace is at hand. The owner told him that I was not the only one nor the first one to complain.

The marina had its annual Boating Safety weekend. Lots of LEO's around. not sure if that had anything to do with the peace and quiet, but I hope each weekend is as pleasant as this one.

Thanks everyone for your input. Just proves that patience and perseverance will pay off.....Dock Rat