Thinking it would be nice to have a section entitled Houseboat & Marina Etiquette. What say ye? Can you make it happen? I understand NOTHING is too difficult for the PIRATE.

Edd

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Chance Favors The Prepared Mind!

It would be appropriate to post items pertaining to these subjects right here in Houseboating. Give it a go.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Edited: 08/06/2007 at 04:15:36 PM by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Don't know if this is etiquette or not but it's a "pet peeve" of mine: Don't let your Dog Doo on the docks!

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WannaBHouseboater

That IS a breach of etiquette, and not just houseboating. At least clean it up!!!

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

The only animal my wife allows on the boat is me and sometimes it takes a "deep six" threat for me to clean up my act. She is really a hard master! I don't know about her. I keep taking her everywhere with me but she keeps finding her way back.
The wife also has an allergic reaction to cat and dog dander, so no pets at all on board.

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Ken Paulson
1996 44' Gibson Std.
twin 350 crusaders
Upper Mississippi

Well since I started this etiquette thing, sort of, I guess I'll chime in.

Two weekends ago I'm working on my Bass Buggy fishing boat. I notice an obvious newb to houseboat docking making his attempt to put his boat into the slip. He is docking south to north and there is a prevailing wind out of the West gusting to about 25 knots at times. It just wasn't going to happen for him. I was the ONLY person (out of about 20 boaters) that assisted this poor Captain. He was by himself, and he wasn't hearing anything I shouted. Finally he tossed me a line and I was able to help him in with only minor crashes to the dock fingers. He was so embarrassed and truly apologetic for interrupting me. All the suds sucking spectators then rose and offered their ovation. I told him he passed his hazing and assured him every one of the judges had slammed the docks on at least one occasion and probably at a higher velocity that he did.

When I was towing a 28' SeaRay from ramp to ramp I never once witnessed anything like this. It seemed that there were an endless number of eager to help boaters, to help get you bunked and tied down. Ah, but this houseboating is quite different, and, maybe only because it deals with slips and not a busy loading ramp.

My point is......let's not wait for the disaster before we offer assistance, even to a seasoned skipper. Offer it now and it will come back to you tenfold.

Thanks for listening to my rant,
Edd

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Chance Favors The Prepared Mind!

Edd

A blessing to you and yours. I don't know "where do for others as you would have them do for you" went to.

I have always given a hand, tow, lift where ever and whenever needed.

Pirate runs a marina business and I have seen him lend a hand many times "no charge". (Watched him go overboard over the back of a pontoon once helping a guy with his shift) Funniest thing you ever saw, this fat little butter ball bobbing down the river sputtering 1700s ships curses.

Do ya think everybody is afraid of getting sued or is "not my problem" the new way of life.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Guess we're luck to be where we're at! Never seen a houseboat attempt docking anywhere on our lake that everyone on dock didn't come to help.

My major complaint? Those who come past docks, plainly marked "NO WAKE" MAKING WAKES!! No wake doesn't just mean "not on plane". Those who wallow past at 2,000rpm often create more wake than they would if fully on plane!

Bob

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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.

We all need the help, but, an absolute novice needs the most and he needs it NOW!

Oh....and the 'wake makers'! I really need to invest in paint ball gun

Our marina, and boaters are not routinely this way. I just think it was an unusually good Corona day. And the marina operators are always a step ahead in offering assistance. This was a particular group that has earned the label as "The Take-Over Crew", but that's another thread.

Edd

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Chance Favors The Prepared Mind!

i have one, this is for all the bass fishermen out there that think the "big one" is under my boat and wake me at 6 am by bouncing there lures off the side of my hull. I asked several of them what posess them to do this and they tell me they can fish where ever they like !
my solution is in the form of a triple set of Kahlenburg horns that rival any on a tow boat, and one unexpected blast from them and after the fisherman regains his senses ( and hearing) and cleans out his drawers they usually leave me alone (although they do usally mumble something under there breath).


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UC FANS
1999, 52' Monticello - Miller Tyme
Port of Aurora IN

Edited: 08/08/2007 at 06:46:36 PM by MILLERTYME

"my solution is in the form of a triple set of Kahlenburg horns that rival any on a tow boat, and one unexpected blast from them and after the fisherman regains his senses ( and hearing) and cleans out his drawers they usually leave me alone (although they do usally mumble something under there breath). "

At 6;00 in the morning, glad we're Not Dock Neighobors,,,,,never mind the bass fisherman, one 'a us would be wearing a brand new arse-whuppin!!!

Bob

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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.

my neighbors love it, they like me are tired of the bass fishermen banging lures off there boats and even worse climbing on there boats to retreive a snagged lure. some have resorted to even more drastic measures like a motion sensor activated sprinkler and m-80's.

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UC FANS
1999, 52' Monticello - Miller Tyme
Port of Aurora IN

OHB -- Wonderful description of Ed taking a dip. I'd have paid good money to have seen that.

We have our boat directly on the Mississippi, in the current and wind, and must sometimes do a little jockying to park the boat. A single dock helper can do little to manuever a 24000 lb. boat so everyone usually gangs together and helps out. I do not care how good of a driver you are, at some point in your boating life, you will need assistance in mooring or docking and how you have reacted in the past may have a large bearing on assistance rendered today.

On the subject of blowing no wake zones, we have a dock mate who will get on the VHF and ask for the local water patrol and give the particulars of the boat in question. If it is really aggregious he will question the captains sobriety. Works pretty good!

On another note. We just got a new neighbor this year who has a penchant for whooping it up until 3:30 am on the weekends. How many times must I describe the previous nights conversation and get them to understand that this is a bad idea? I really think that the neighbor tries to keep things calm but all of his friends like to party on his boat so I get to hear the noise. Without being a horses a$$, how would you all approach this?

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Ken Paulson
1996 44' Gibson Std.
twin 350 crusaders
Upper Mississippi

Have a huge Jazz Music/Omlet Breakfast party at 6:00 am.
Prepare everyone custom Omlets and serve champagne.

The way they do in New Orleans

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Banana Tom

Damn Tom, I like your style!!!!

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

The more I think about it, the funner it seems. I wish I was close enough to attend this 6:00 am Jazz Breakfast Party on a Houseboat. Maybe I need to have one on my boat, for the fun of it.

I grew up in New Orleans and left there ten years ago, I remember a Jazz Breakfast Party with much fondness.

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Banana Tom

What drives me crazy is the bass boats using their spotlights like a headlight. When they "flash" you, it ruins your night vision for a while. They use them when they troll around also and have shot them through the windows of the boat at night while we sleep. My 8 cel Pelican dive-light in their eyes (looks like two red-neck deer in headlights for a split second) quietly convinces them to move to the other side of the marina.

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1975 42' Gibson Standard
Lake Cumberland, Kentucky

Sailer...get some Sinatra or similar CDs and play them very loudly when they are there. They will get the message.

Well I see OHB has been at it again, I slimmed down and he is now the Butterball. He was on the side of a Gibson acting as the propulsion system about the time all this happened. I think Houseboat etiquette is a great idea as well as common courtesy on the waterways. I am moving myself and a marina so I have not been as active as usual. Skallywag watch OHB and Sailer they are dangerous. This is bad two houses and all this moving. I have not spent thew night in the new one as I still do not have the furniture down there. it looks like this one is sold. We will soon see.

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The pirate

My fingers are crossed.
I look forward to presenting Congratulations.

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Banana Tom