Your boat rules

[Socalx09]

I always thought my dads rules on the boat were overkill, but as I got older, I started to understand them more. Even when I take out the boat, I follow his rules.

After we launch and are in the docks, he tells anyone who is visiting us where everything is. Fire extinguisher, ropes, first aid kit, perko switch, etc. I use to always roll my eyes, especially if the people have been on our boat. And thinking nothing will ever happen. He also points out if he feels like you are too buzzed or drunk, he will have you put a life jacket on while the boat is underway. (I know it is better to always have a life jacket on) No one has ever complained about the rule. Maybe in their heads they have...

Just wanted to pass this on. And if you have any rules on your boat?

I know this weekend events are leaving all boaters with heavy hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with anyone involved.

 

[lbhsbz]

I always thought my dads rules on the boat were overkill, but as I got older, I started to understand them more. Even when I take out the boat, I follow his rules.

After we launch and are in the docks, he tells anyone who is visiting us where everything is. Fire extinguisher, ropes, first aid kit, perko switch, etc. I use to always roll my eyes, especially if the people have been on our boat. And thinking nothing will ever happen. He also points out if he feels like you are too buzzed or drunk, he will have you put a life jacket on while the boat is underway. (I know it is better to always have a life jacket on) No one has ever complained about the rule. Maybe in their heads they have...

Just wanted to pass this on. And if you have any rules on your boat?

I know this weekend events are leaving all boaters with heavy hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with anyone involved.

Unless we're just floating, or cruising up to the island at 30mph when nobody else is on the water, me and momma and the boy pretty much put 'em on. The boy has to wear his anyway, so at the very least...we're making him feel like less of a dork. Anyone else gets in my boat, they're putting on a jacket. It's been this way for a few years. I have plenty of nice comfy jackets onboard. I also keep a knife at the transom...with any kind of current and low freeboard, if a tow rope gets snagged on something, the boat will go down in seconds. Every adult knows where my knife is if we're planning on towing. It's an outboard, so I don't give a shit about the fire extinguisher...should it catch fire for whatever reason...dive in and swim upriver for 30 seconds, then swim towards shore. It's fairly rare that I have more than momma and the boy in the boat...except for the dogs, but they don't listen for shit.

 

[4Waters]

No jumping from the bow of the boat as it is to slippery (ask me how I know).

No jumping from the swim platform in the middle as the OD sticks out from under it just enough if you don't jump far enough you could land on it, so only jump from the right or left of middle.

I have a walk through open bow, no putting your hands on the cowl and swinging your feet as your hands could be wet and slip hurting yourself.

No throwing rocks at all around any boats.

Do not lean over the side of the boat from the outside with a lifejacket on as it could scratch the gel (my daughter did this on the 26th and scratched the shit out of my boat)

Feel free to ask anytime when approaching the boat if it's in neutral.

If you feel like learning to do a particular watersports ask I would be glad to help you learn.

No one has fun when someone get hurt, so relax, enjoy and have fun.

 

[BamBam]

Don't step on the seats
The sandy beach towels stay on the sandy beach and not in the boat
Bring as little water as possible into the boat with you
Shoes off and clean feet before getting in
Always put the tether (kill switch) on

I'm sure there are a whole lot more. I know I'm a little psycho but it's ok at least I'm aware of my issue.
My wife will tell you she hates my rules. The boat is 21 years old and looks brand new though.

I should probably be a little more aware of the safety rules that others were talking about

 

[H20 Toie]

no cheetos

 

[Jefftowz]

I do not have a must wear life jacket rule but I do hand everyone a vest when we leave the Marina, I have mine under my feet as well as all my passengers.

Kind of a pain in the ass but at least they are accessible

 

[KENDOG689]

No one on the deck,enter from the back,Always sit before the motor was started,no one get up while the engine is running and no boating on big weekends.

 

[was thatguy]

Empties go back in the cooler...that is all.

 

[highvoltagehands]

Everyone is informed of general boating rules on the drive to lake so I don't hear the "I didn't know" excuse. I also throw in a few pet peeves:
No smoking in the boat! Smoking is only allowed while sitting on back swim step with motor off. No exceptions, no burn holes!
No cutoffs allowed. Most womens jean shorts are decorated with riveted shit that will slice/scratch seats and deck, so none allowed.
No potato chips. They leave greasy finger prints everywhere and little broken pieces of chips on wet carpet is a PIA mess to cleanup.
**Never let El Capitan dig for a drink or let his drink go dry.** This is probably most important of all the PP's.

 

[was thatguy]

No cutoffs allowed. Most womens jean shorts are decorated with riveted shit that will slice/scratch seats and deck, so none allowed.

Seems like a long way of saying “thongs only”!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Mines a 32 year old boat that looks like its been enjoyed for 32 years. So i dont,stress about it much at all and habe very few rules. One of the only ones I have is no spray sunscreen. That shit is like glitter. It gets everywhere and wont come off. I let everybody know,who gets on I have plenty of vests in a bunch of sizes they are welcome to but I dont require anyone to wear one. Except kids under 13.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

 

[Kachina26]

I let very few people on my boat. Those that do get invited get a safety briefing. Fire extinguishers are located there, we only use them to escape fire, not fight it. Life vests are here, I recommend you wear it because when you need it, you won't be able to grab it.
I've been sued once, so the list of people I allow on my boat is VERY SHORT.

 

[highvoltagehands]

Seems like a long way of saying “thongs only”!

You know what I'm talking about. T-bars or clothing optional….

 

[sirbob]

To hear my wife tell it ... I'm the fun police.

Get in (without scratching or messing anything up)

Sit down

Shut up.

Don't touch anything

Dont spill anything.

Don't touch the radio.

Don't block my view.

Don't move while underway.

At the dock - no one moves unless I tell them to.

At least that's her version !

Probably some truth - ;-)

 

[Kyote]

Don't step on the seats
The sandy beach towels stay on the sandy beach and not in the boat
Bring as little water as possible into the boat with you
Shoes off and clean feet before getting in
Always put the tether (kill switch) on

I'm sure there are a whole lot more. I know I'm a little psycho but it's ok at least I'm aware of my issue.
My wife will tell you she hates my rules. The boat is 21 years old and looks brand new though.

I should probably be a little more aware of the safety rules that others were talking about

Your Dad wears shoes in your boat!!

 

[3queens]

Put a life jacket on my drunk friends and family

 

[Runs2rch]

Hate spray sun screen.

 

[Englewood]

Offer to pay for gas (I will not accept it, but the gesture is nice).
Sit down when we are docking. I know people are trying to help but they end up blocking my view and actually make it harder than it needs to be.
Pickup after themselves.
Offer to help wipe down the boat.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

You know what my suggestions are to passengers ? Keep your mouth shut if and when we get pulled over for “something “ . Like I’ve said in the past , I’ve never been “contacted “ by LEO more than at any Colorado river lakes . Once pulled over , the fishing expedition starts , so shut up .

 

[Ouderkirk]

My only rule....no alcohol.

But, my boat trips are not an all day affair. We go in and out of the boat pretty much all day, so have a beer or 10 while we're at the house, but when we go out, leave your beer in the refrigerator... bring water or soft drinks.

 

[dribble]

One main rule I always enforce. When the engine is running all butt cheeks are inside the boat on vinyl. Not on the engine hatch or swim step. Also the engine is never started unless the skier / tuber is at least 25 feet away from the back of the boat.

 

[boatdoc55]

Unless we're just floating, or cruising up to the island at 30mph when nobody else is on the water, me and momma and the boy pretty much put 'em on. The boy has to wear his anyway, so at the very least...we're making him feel like less of a dork. Anyone else gets in my boat, they're putting on a jacket. It's been this way for a few years. I have plenty of nice comfy jackets onboard. I also keep a knife at the transom...with any kind of current and low freeboard, if a tow rope gets snagged on something, the boat will go down in seconds. Every adult knows where my knife is if we're planning on towing. It's an outboard, so I don't give a shit about the fire extinguisher...should it catch fire for whatever reason...dive in and swim upriver for 30 seconds, then swim towards shore. It's fairly rare that I have more than momma and the boy in the boat...except for the dogs, but they don't listen for shit.

We sank a boat this exact way over 30 years ago at Water Wheel. Went to help with another boat sinking and my boat became entangled with their boat and both went down in a heart beat. A knife is a very good thing to have in a boat.

 

[brgrcru]

as captain of your boat . every person should feel safe. you are responsible for everyone's well being...…
also having someone else , 1st mate ( helping observe) < conditions , boats, waves, logs, sticks . should be alert as captain.

 

[boatdoc55]

One other thing in our boat when starting, when I say, "clear", EVERYONE says yes or the engine don't go vroom vroom. Something I learned long ago on working on them for a living.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

First and foremost there is no better form of peace than being on the water don't F with the sanctity of my church.

Lots of safety rules like be in the boat not on it. Know where emergency equipment is located and how to use it. No one in the water unless you ask me first. Everyone has eyes, use them, if you see something say something.

 

[Chris Lapoint]

These Rules are only for the Flatbottom - Safety Reasons Of Course.
Shut up, Sit Down, Hold on....
No Fat Chicks - Due to the narrow seats and low freeboard, you know?

Ski Boat - I've learned life is just too short sometimes to sweat the small stuff.
My boat tends to be the people hauler - 95% of the time it is exclusive river versed family only.
The other 5% would be close friends and they get a full lecture on the "Do's & Don'ts" of my boat.
Everyone knows where the ropes, lift jackets, horn/whistle, key, first aid kit & luckliy with the wake boat the prop is underneath pretty far so the kids can jump freely off the swim step.

 

[Wadernation]

1.) Don't touch the fucking windshield
2.) Don't even look at the fucking windshield
3.) no dogs
4.) please don't step on the seats with shoes

the Daytona seats 5 people..and typically only like 1 passenger.

 

[Socalx09]

Well I learned something reading these. A knife- the only one I know of is in the tool bag in the cuddy. And it might take a minute to found it in the bag. So will definitely get one that is closer Incase we need to cut rope ASAP.

Glad to read there are other boaters that do a safety briefing too. They all sound like the rules we have. My dad is definitely not huge on the cleanliness rules. It is 29 years old. I’m sure if he got a new boat, he would. But I am! I am the one cleaning the inside of the boat. Def no shoes on seats, no spray on sun screen even though people always spray it on at the house or on the beach and then say “you said not on the boat.”!

We also stopped bringing friends of friends due to a few incidents. It’s just easier if everyone is close, and you trust the people you are around.

 

[pwerwagn]

My rule is: You have to have fun on my boat.

 

[oldschool]

Don't be an asshole (as determined by me)
Have fun

 

[Big B Hova]

Don't get drunk your brothers boat and face plant your wife into the boat from the bow while she's sleeping.

 

[King295]

I'm OCD as it comes so my list is exhaustive and most have captured my general routine but I will emphasize the knife readily available point. All passengers know where it is and it does not move unless being used for its (hopefully never necessary) intended used.

I like this one from Amazon, have it in all my boat and I carry one when on my stand up.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JCSMM2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BONER]

1. Put out or get out

2. See Rule 1

 

[BUSTI]

1. Put out or get out

2. See Rule 1

Sin or Swim

 

[brgrcru]

the knife thing is spot on for us low freeboard boats. I have one right where I can get to it in a flash. the little pocket holder by the back seat.

 

[96scarab]

My only rule....no alcohol.

But, my boat trips are not an all day affair. We go in and out of the boat pretty much all day, so have a beer or 10 while we're at the house, but when we go out, leave your beer in the refrigerator... bring water or soft drinks.

Ouch!!!

 

[Ouderkirk]

Ouch!!!

I do the "no alcohol" thing because it keeps me from getting boarded. The Sheriff's deputies who partrol Keuka Lake all know me, and know my rule. I can pretty much do anything I want because of it.

I got that from being on "the river" (in these parts it means the St. Lawrence). Ontario Canada prohibits alcohol on board, even unopened. Why tempt fate as my dad would say, when the OPP would frequently board a US flagged boat on their side of the international boundary. The OPP catches you with alky on board, opened or not, and they impound your boat. Mega-$$$ to get it back.

Kept the no alky part after I left the International area for an inland lake. Just made good sense.

 

[Lil'Moni77]

You know... I've owned a few boats in my time... and from the beginning when we had new and old friends on the boat... I would always... while going through the no wake zone just after launching... would stand up and show everyone where life vests were, Air horn, Fire Extinguishers, the square toss pillow that is required, oars, anchors and ropes. I also tried to suggest safest exit routes should there be a fire in the engine hatch or danger in the front how to safely exit the back of the boat. I also always said... NEVER stand in front of the driver... Never BLOCK the driver... make sure the captain can see clearly at all times and be able to move freely if needed. I always made it a joke and presented it like an airline stewardess pointing at the front, sides and rear.. even held up a life vest and rope... and they would laugh... but I tell you what... 2 times our boat passengers jumped into action exactly as directed!! Once our jet sucked up a rock and seized the motor. One grabbed the oars... another grabbed rope... then the genius that through an anchor so we didn't keep drifting further and further down river... (we were staying at the Avi). The second time we hit a sand bar and the drive was up pretty high (trailer mode)on the back end in our attempt to save our drive... which worked... but EVERYONE exited from the front or designated side to avoid the prop.

I cut people off that are drunk and put them in shade with some water...
Other rules
No you can't bring your pretty pink towel... I provided many Pure White Towels
No You can't wear your brand new swim wear
No you can't have colored drinks
No you can't have Cheetos or Nacho Doritos
No you can't have Glass in the boat or in the cooler (buy a plastic container to pour your liquor in)

So... now... I told them everything they COULD NOT DO...

Then I would say...
"So enjoy your plain Lays, Sprite, Beers and Vodka"... cause that's all that's allowed!! LMAO
Never a complaint in the house and everyone had a great time!!

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Ouch!!!

I actually have a similar rule in that I don't allow people who are inexperienced on boats to drink. If this is your first time on the water in a while/ever, you are staying sober on my boat. If you have been around boats for a while you're allowed to drink but as soon as I deem that you're too drunk, you're going in a vest.

 

[SBMech]

1. Put out or get out

2. See Rule 1

Sin or Swim

Just wondering, how do your friends that are not women feel about that? I guess you are not picky....

My boat will be 40 years old next year, not much that can actually hurt it!

Once I refresh the interior however, I am sure I will have some rules.

As of now, just the basics that have all been covered here, I generally only boat with a few friends and have been boating with the same ones for years, they all know the drill.

 

[H2O]

I like to keep it simple...

 

[Chris Lapoint]

You know... I've owned a few boats in my time... and from the beginning when we had new and old friends on the boat... I would always... while going through the no wake zone just after launching... would stand up and show everyone where life vests were, Air horn, Fire Extinguishers, the square toss pillow that is required, oars, anchors and ropes. I also tried to suggest safest exit routes should there be a fire in the engine hatch or danger in the front how to safely exit the back of the boat. I also always said... NEVER stand in front of the driver... Never BLOCK the driver... make sure the captain can see clearly at all times and be able to move freely if needed. I always made it a joke and presented it like an airline stewardess pointing at the front, sides and rear.. even held up a life vest and rope... and they would laugh... but I tell you what... 2 times our boat passengers jumped into action exactly as directed!! Once our jet sucked up a rock and seized the motor. One grabbed the oars... another grabbed rope... then the genius that through an anchor so we didn't keep drifting further and further down river... (we were staying at the Avi). The second time we hit a sand bar and the drive was up pretty high (trailer mode)on the back end in our attempt to save our drive... which worked... but EVERYONE exited from the front or designated side to avoid the prop.

I cut people off that are drunk and put them in shade with some water...
Other rules
No you can't bring your pretty pink towel... I provided many Pure White Towels
No You can't wear your brand new swim wear
No you can't have colored drinks
No you can't have Cheetos or Nacho Doritos
No you can't have Glass in the boat or in the cooler (buy a plastic container to pour your liquor in)

So... now... I told them everything they COULD NOT DO...

Then I would say...
"So enjoy your plain Lays, Sprite, Beers and Vodka"... cause that's all that's allowed!! LMAO
Never a complaint in the house and everyone had a great time!!

Boat Nazi.....Jesus Christ.

 

[Lil'Moni77]

Boat Nazi.....Jesus Christ.

I'm good with that... Boat always looks brand new when taken care of!

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Anybody ever boated back to the dock mid-day and escorted someone off the boat and then went back out without them ?

 

[Yellowboat]

No painted on swim suits... It's a bitch too get off a seat.

 

[Socalx09]

Oh forgot another one.

We have a designated beach bag. If you want something in the boat, put it in there. Medication, cell phones and wallets is usually what is in it. After trying to find something in the cuddy between everyone’s beach bags and backpacks, I made that rule the next time we took a group out. Seems to work out and no one looses anything.

 

[rivermobster]

My rule is: You have to have fun on my boat.

X2

Every time I go out on the ocean with OC, he does the safety meeting thing though. I've heard it a number of times now, and I truthful don't remember a word of it!

My boat doesn't hit the water on holiday weekends or even during the summer.

I guess those are my only two rules? Other than having a good time .

 

[RiverDave]

Just adding this to use in the newsletter.

 

[Lil'Moni77]

Anybody ever boated back to the dock mid-day and escorted someone off the boat and then went back out without them ?

That's a story I'd like to hear someday!!

 

[mash on it]

No glass containers.
Don't touch the headers.
Leave the dogs at home.

Dan'l