To Boat Or Not To Boat

[IslandTractor]

Not really off thread. I agree that the captain was being inconsiderate to his partner. Boating is supposed to be fun for everybody involved. Too many people have visions of the "perfect boating experience" without the skills to make it so. That frustration often gets taken out on the wrong people.

Safety should be the first thought and fun should be the second. Being considerate to your crew enhances both safety and fun. Giving clear specific direction to crew BEFORE and during a maneuver such as launching, retrieving, anchoring etc is being considerate. Trying to yell instructions to crew who haven't been previously instructed on what you want is inconsiderate and usually makes a spectacle. Yelling at inexperienced crew only makes situations worse and makes the captain look foolish.

Boats are temporary things and dings on boats can be fixed. Dings on relationships with your family and friends often are permanent. Boating shouldn't ding relationships but rather should produce fond memories.

I learned these lessons very early in my boating relationship with my wife. She was patient with me and still helps handle the boat, dock lines, anchor etc. We both have a better time now that the captain learned these things.

Agree. The other point I would make about the Nantucket (non) anchoring story is that a good captain has prepared his inexperienced crew ahead of time for what their task will be knowing full well that doing something like anchoring in a crowded harbor in windy conditions is inherently tense and not a trivial matter. I obviously never talked to the guy but based on what we saw, the captain was simply inexperienced himself and therefore anxious when the first attempt to set the anchor failed. Any experienced boater knows that can happen and takes it in stride. He immediately got flustered and started yelling at his (ex) mate. I don't know if the relationship survived but I doubt seriously she ever got on the boat again.

 

[Looking4new]

I really 'like' the people that think they are directing you from the 'blind side' (right hand side) of the vehicle. My step son does that constantly. He also thinks I am Superman and can see through 1/4" plywood.

 

[Garandman]

Agree. The other point I would make about the Nantucket (non) anchoring story is that a good captain has prepared his inexperienced crew ahead of time for what their task will be knowing full well that doing something like anchoring in a crowded harbor in windy conditions is inherently tense and not a trivial matter.

Practicing anchoring outside a harbor is just bout the easiest task there is....

I label everything on my boat with a label maker. They're fantastic: last for years. If Air Force fighters and Army tanks have labels, then so should boats. We even put "Port higher header" and "Starboard higher lift" on the boom.

 

[aczlan]

Agree. The other point I would make about the Nantucket (non) anchoring story is that a good captain has prepared his inexperienced crew ahead of time for what their task will be knowing full well that doing something like anchoring in a crowded harbor in windy conditions is inherently tense and not a trivial matter. I obviously never talked to the guy but based on what we saw, the captain was simply inexperienced himself and therefore anxious when the first attempt to set the anchor failed. Any experienced boater knows that can happen and takes it in stride. He immediately got flustered and started yelling at his (ex) mate. I don't know if the relationship survived but I doubt seriously she ever got on the boat again.

I try to do that when working on a project with someone else. Today, my wife and I were removing the old tub from the bathroom, I was trying to get it moved, but it wouldnt go. She came over to help, but before we did anything, I explained where I was trying to move the tub (lift, rotate, pivot, then squeak through the door). Makes things go much smoother when both are on the same page and know exactly what comes next.

Aaron Z

 

[MtHam]

Some people seem to have boating in their genes, some don't. 50 years ago while in college, rented a pontoon houseboat with a bunch of friends for a wild weekend. Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine rolled together. Hooked! Shortly thereafter, built one. After several years, sold it and moved onto sailing. 5 sailboats (including a bareboat charter in the Caribbean)and 5 years later (on the SF Bay) sailed to the South Pacific on our 40' ketch with my wife for 2 years, 25,000 miles. Upon our return, we sold the boat, bought a country property, and started a family. Owned several more sailboats in the following years, but have been boatless now for 20 years. Today, at 71, I still sometimes think about the next one! And, we live near the sea.

 

[Garandman]

Pretty spot - needs a boat....

FWIW the boat I used most of all the ones we had was a 12' APEX RIB with a 30hp outboard and a tiller. Now we have an 11' Achilles with the high pressure inflatable floor and several outboards to choose from. The kids can go out on their own and people are very friendly because you can't hurt their boat.....

If I had my way we'd have a 20' RIB. Another boat we looked at last season was a 25' Downeast-style with an inboard diesel.

 

[IslandTractor]

Pretty spot - needs a boat....

FWIW the boat I used most of all the ones we had was a 12' APEX RIB with a 30hp outboard and a tiller. Now we have an 11' Achilles with the high pressure inflatable floor and several outboards to choose from. The kids can go out on their own and people are very friendly because you can't hurt their boat.....

If I had my way we'd have a 20' RIB. Another boat we looked at last season was a 25' Downeast-style with an inboard diesel.

20ft RIBs are almost as bad as GoFasts. Two thumbs up on the Lobster yacht though. I'm a bit biased as a sailor but I do like the Maine built lobster boats and their recreational offspring. If I hit the lottery there'll be a jet drive picnic boat from Herreshoff in my fleet!

 

[MtHam]

As noted by others in earlier posts, buying used is a great option. All my 8 sailboats were purchased used, improved and maintained by my own efforts, and generally sold at a profit. They were also sailed frequently, and the good times shared with many friends.

 

[Garandman]

My BIL is probably going to sell his 42' wooden schooner this summer....

I prefer sailing to varnishing.

 

[kc5dlo]

This is at the upper Niagara River boat launch. Truck had 5000 miles on it and was totaled. Trailer still attached!


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"Chevy....Runs deep!"