Your Boat Rules

[TrickyNicky]

Hey guys, as mentioned in a recent thread a lot of guests don't understand the basic ettiquette of boating. Or more specifically of ski/wake boats. Generally they just don't share the same passion or have the understanding of the importance of why and what we do.

Now I have a good group of 'regulars' and they don't need to be told anything other than "hit it", "he's down" and the inevitable "$$ for gas".

However I do have some newby boating friends come up and I know in a few weeks time I will again so I thought it would be a good idea to hear about everyones rules to help keep your boat clean, everyone safe, and ensure the day is enjoyable and fun.

Last time my only two rules were:

1- If the driver tells you to do something, You do it! The only reason he needs is "because I said so"

2- The rider is the focal point, when they're riding, fall, we pick them up, they're getting ready or back in the boat, they are the focal point so pay attention to them and if they ask for something help them out.

I'd like to come up with a good list of rules to inform my guests about. I like to give them a good scare with rules and hard (but not full) power turn just so they understand that although were "playing" this isn't a toy and ppl can get hurt. They pay attention and are a bit nervous at first and by the time were done everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves, and no one ever hesitates to come back.

So list your rules...

Edited July 19, 2010 by TrickyNicky

[Dexter]

We,ve got a pretty good system for a while now. If I'm not driving, my wife or kids are. They also help me clean the boat at the end of the day. There are only a couple of rules I've had to stick to so far with guests:

1) No shoes on the boat

2) Eating only at the dock or the sun deck/swim platform.

Never really had any big problems with guests. I've asked they bring water and sunscreen especially if they come with kids. Never asked for gas money, although some have offered.

[Soon2BV]

1. Don't get in the water without a life jacket on.

2. Don't get near the back of the boat if the motor is running, ask me to turn it off.

3. No alcohol.

4. Help us load and unload and dry it off when we get done.

I make it a habit to ask people to do things, because if they have not done a lot of boating, they simply do not know. "Can you pull in the rope", "Can you get this", "Can you ..." - then people learn what has to be done.

We take great care of our boat, but I don't stress about it.

It is gonna get wet. It is gonna get dirty.

We eat on it, drink on it, have fun on it. That's why i bought it.

[68Slalom]

I don't really have rules, the company you bring should be able to enjoy themselves. Just no shoes and no trashing the boat.........good to go

When it comes to riding and skiing, everyone needs to look out for the rider and make sure the flag is up when a rider is down.

[jcon44]

I'm glad everyone else has rules too, my fiance makes fun of for being a Nazi.. ,my rules are:

1) no bottles

2) no chips or pretzels, anything that could get into the carpet..

3) tops are optional for the ladies. ( i mention this each time but have yet to have anyone take me up on it, it wont stop me from offering)

thx JC

[MaddMaxx]

#1. No Cheetos.

#2. No grape pop.

#3. No shoes.

#4. See rule #1.

[MalibuNation]

No smokes.

[wienrdog]

Primarily..

No Shoes on the seats.

No Smoking.

No Red (heavily dyed) Drinks.

The rest will clean out relatively easily.

[Tao of Wake]

I just instituted a new one recently: No nail polish! My wife dragged her foot across one of the seats and got a good streak of nail polish. Luckily, I saw it and immediately pulled out the Babe's Seat Soap. It took some elbow grease, but it did come off. I hate to think what would have happened if it got baked in from the sun!

I also do not allow any shoes to be worn in the boat, no spray sunscreen, no smoking, and if snacks are needed (little ones), they are to be consumed on the swim deck. I don't like to have rules, but I like even less a mess that I have to clean up!

[jesutton3]

#2. No grape pop.

Hijack on: They don't have "pop" in GA so you should be good on that rule. End Hijack.

[shawndoggy]

LOL, well, I've already been skewered for my rules....

On the flipside, I don't expect my guests to do any of the "work" related to the boat -- pull from storage, clean and prep, pay for gas, stick around and wipe down the boat (That's what kids are for!), or put the boat back into our storage area.

If someone asks what they can do to help, I'm happy to throw them a towel and have 'em wipe down a section. But I don't expect it and certainly don't demand it. They are guests and aren't there to work.

[Brad B]

#1 Have FUN

#2 see rule #1

[Ndawg12]

Hijack on: They don't have "pop" in GA so you should be good on that rule. End Hijack.

Ha! he must be yankee transplant like me

[elc]

No shoes and no smoking. The food, drinks etc. I don't care about... If you are an idiot and do not know how to be respectful, we won't invite you back.

[TrickyNicky]

LOL, well, I've already been skewered for my rules....

On the flipside, I don't expect my guests to do any of the "work" related to the boat -- pull from storage, clean and prep, pay for gas, stick around and wipe down the boat (That's what kids are for!), or put the boat back into our storage area.

If someone asks what they can do to help, I'm happy to throw them a towel and have 'em wipe down a section. But I don't expect it and certainly don't demand it. They are guests and aren't there to work.

..........................................................

shawndoggy, on July 18, 2010 - 06:33 AM, said:

I'm new to boating and most of my friends have never been on one. Lots of beginners / newbs. I send the following rules out to my guests before they come:

Shawndoggy's Boat Nazi Rules

1. must bring good attitude and have fun! Agree!

2. no alcohol Crazy

3. no messy food (chocolate, cheetos, doritos, fruit punch... you get the idea)Things can be cleaned

4. no shoes Agree

5. kids have to wear life vests -- it's the law (we have a few for 50lb+ kids... only one vest for kids under 50lbs, so bring your own if you have one)

6. no roughhousing in the boat It's always fun to push someone in when they aren't expecting it

7. must get in the water and try something (surf, ski, wakeboard, etc) -- pregnant ladies and small children excluded -- tubing doesn't count! Believe it or not, some people enjoy just going along for the ride

8. no whining Agree

9. be prepared to jump in the lake to pee (or hold it... there generally aren't any bathrooms) My buddy and his wife both pissed on our platform a few weeks ago at the same time...the water was too cold

10. tubing last Just 'forget' to pack the tube!

11. once you are in the boat no going back to shore (so if you forgot something too bad! And seeing as all you brought are lunch and flip flops, what could you have forgotten anyway?) As long as we aren't far away I don't mind going back

12. pack light -- there isn't a lot of room in the boat and you really aren't going to need much more than lunch and a towel (and maybe a vest). Bring all your crap, just keep it of my way

Stuff you should bring

lunch

water/drinks

sunscreen

chapstick

towels

sunglasses

hats

camera (but remember it might get wet)

flip flops (so you can take them off when getting in the boat)

ziplock bag to prevent stuff from getting wet

Stuff you shouldn't bring

purse

cooler (we have one in the boat if you need to keep something cold)

toys

electronic devices

stuff you don't want to get wet

stuff that you will mind holding on your lap all day (there really isn't much storage room at all, beyond room for your lunch and your towel)

Now all of my friends have given me crap about the rules, but they have really gone a long way toward setting expectations. Gives people an idea of what to expect. I understand that the no alcohol rule is probably a controversial one on here, but we don't stop to float much anyhow and you don't want me buzzed while I'm towing you, and I don't want you full of liquid courage behind the boat. Buy me a beer or two when we get off the water and it's all good.

I'm a fan of your rules, although I'll edit them down to my own, they are precisely why I started this topic.

Edited July 19, 2010 by TrickyNicky

[Carolina 'bu]

How about "We ALWAYS stop if and help if we see a boat in distress." Surprisingly, we got into this discussion with a guest on the boat recently who saw the sun sinking fast and wanted his kid to have one last tow before we headed in. He may have gone home disappointed because we ended up towing a boat in instead.

[shawndoggy]

How about "We ALWAYS stop if and help if we see a boat in distress." Surprisingly, we got into this discussion with a guest on the boat recently who saw the sun sinking fast and wanted his kid to have one last tow before we headed in. He may have gone home disappointed because we ended up towing a boat in instead.

Wow. Better add "no kicking old ladies" and "don't flip the po-po the bird" too!

[68Slalom]

Wow. Better add "no kicking old ladies" and "don't flip the po-po the bird" too!

[Michigan boarder]

It's interesting that there currently is one thread about "rules on the boat" going at the same time there is also a thread about "boat guests being no-shows".

We need statistical analysis.

I'm pretty flexible. I smoke, eat, drink, etc. on the boat, and guests do too. Just use some common sense, and don't be a jerk. Hey I should make that my boat name "Don't be a Jerk".

But I do have 3 big rules:

1. No roughhousing/wrestling. Don't want blood in the boat. Get in the water and do that.

2. Get off the teak deck. We do want to talk with you about your run and the trick you almost landed...but get in the boat, sit down, and grab your beer so the next guy can go back there and get geared up.

3. For the kids - pay 100% attention and be helpful. Be "one step ahead of me". Stop talking to each other about Halo Wars or weird body hair and be a part of what is going on.

I had a kid in the boat Sunday that just ran a mini triathalon. Before the race they put his numbers on his arms and legs with magic marker the day before. Well, that stuff does rub off...on white vinyl...my new white vinyl. Can't blame the kid, none of us knew. If anyone else has that problem, Acetone (nail polish remover) works very well. But I know next time - no triathaletes unless they've been de-markered.

[skyskier]

Leave the 420 alone. The Wet Sounds 420. That ticks me off more than a quick snap from a wet towel.

[Brad B]

I'm glad everyone else has rules too, my fiance makes fun of for being a Nazi.. ,my rules are:

1) no bottles

2) no chips or pretzels, anything that could get into the carpet..

3) tops are optional for the ladies. ( i mention this each time but have yet to have anyone take me up on it, it wont stop me from offering)

thx JC

Probably because you are a freakin boat rule Nazi.

[Pistol Pete]

When I first got into wakeboarding, I belonged to a club that would put together outings every other weekend of the summer. There was the group of "boat owners" and then there was us pee-on skiers/riders. I belonged to this club for a couple of years as a rider before we bought our boat. The way it worked was, the skiers would pay a fee to the club and the club would (basically) pay the boat owner for their gas and a little extra to take on a few skiers for a day on their boat. You have to realize that this club's motto was "We're a drinking club with a skiing problem" or something to that effect. The captain of the boat would never really know who would be assigned to his boat for the day.

All the skiers knew that whatever the capt. said, you did it. In fact, here is their "words of wisdom for skiers" refer to page 3 "Boat Etiquette and Boating Laws" here. I grew up in this scene. I used to volunteer my boat for these outings, I only had one rule and it was "there are no rules". But, these people all knew what to do. A lot of them were regulars. I met a lot of people through this club and they are regulars in my crew now. We splintered off from the club since I had my own boat and we could go wherever we wanted when we wanted.

So, I usually don't have to tell my crew anything. They know to pull in the rope. The next rider knows to start getting ready if he/she is riding next. I don't have to ask them to wipe down the boat, they know they have to do it. I don't have to ask them for gas money, I tell them how much it's gonna cost for me to tow the boat, book the campsite, and fill the boat with gas.

Call me a nazi but, I'm not rich.

Edited July 22, 2010 by Pistol Pete

[WakingMeHappy]

1. Don't get in the water without a life jacket on.

2. Don't get near the back of the boat if the motor is running, ask me to turn it off.

3. No alcohol.

4. Help us load and unload and dry it off when we get done.

I make it a habit to ask people to do things, because if they have not done a lot of boating, they simply do not know. "Can you pull in the rope", "Can you get this", "Can you ..." - then people learn what has to be done.

We take great care of our boat, but I don't stress about it.

It is gonna get wet. It is gonna get dirty.

We eat on it, drink on it, have fun on it. That's why i bought it.

And helps them enjoy boating.

[skikid]

We only have two rules..

One, don't step all over the seats

Two. ELE.. Everybody Love Everybody!

We focus on two mostly!!

[Kiwionsnow]

No shoes, No Cheezies, you know ones you find in the back seat pocket in the pick up. Had a Buddy show up at the dock with the Costco peanuts ( yes a whole sack in the shells) had to remind him that they are in the cheezie family. The sack stayed on the on the Dock