Going out on other people's boats for newbees

[Pete_G]

Just a few ideas for trip sharing. Some of these items will seem laughably obvious to some of the salty vets that frequent this forum, but to others who have never owned a boat or never spent a lot of time on or near them some of this stuff helps guarantee you'll get to go back out again.

All too often hear boat owners who felt slighted by a guest who didn't help out with fuel costs. While every boat is different, a 40 mile day could have burned as much or more then a gallon every 2 miles. So that's 20 gallons and at the price of $3.79 I last fueled up at in the water, it really adds up. A fuel efficient 18 footer will be far better on gas. 2 miles per gallon is a decent number for a 24 footer. Some owners really don't care about exact numbers, so it may be hard to tell what was burned. And they often won't say or for that matter don't know. I generally take a quick look at the odometer on the boat in the AM so I can guess what was burned at the end of the day. When I'm a guest I generally try to cover the entire fuel bill. Even if the captain tries to turn down the $$ I usually insist.

Bottom line is helping or covering fuel costs is standard procedure when you're a guest. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's expected, but it is for the most part. It's a very good idea to get the rules regarding fuel set before leaving the dock. This way there's no surprises for anyone at the end of the day. Many owners are happy just to split the cost, but as I said actually covering the bill isn't out of place.

No black sole shoes. Barefoot or something that doesn't mark the decks.

Drinks and food. Better bring them. Many boat owners have at least a surplus on board and will try to offer them, but I like to bring my own. You can never have too much water on board. Another reason to have a lot is you never know when awesome fishing will develop. I've had countless 4 hour trips turn into sun up to sundown fishing days.

Sunblock. Bring it. 'Nuff said. Foul weather gear too. Especially in something like an 18 footer, when the seabreeze kicks up in the afternoon you'll want it. I ALWAYS bring my foul weather gear no matter what the forecast or how big the boat. Random rainstorms can really chill you off even in the dead of summer too. Consider it safety gear.

Seasickness. Dramamine the night before and in the morning if you're concerned about it. Scopolamine (prescription, but awesome I've heard) is another great option.

Knots. If you don't know them, don't tie them. Or, as the saying goes, "if you don't know how to tie a knot, at least tie a lot." Seriously, if the boat is at a slip let the captain finish tying the boat up at the dock unless you're very confident in your seamanship. Knowing some basic knots never hurts. The bowline and of course the cleat hitch are two key knots.

Safety. It's commonly forgotten, but knowing where life preservers are stashed isn't a bad idea. $hit happens...

End of the day. Get the money issue out of the way and offer to help out with washing the boat down. Some boat owners are REAL particular so they may not want help, but I always ask.

Feel free to add some more ideas guys. There's probably something I'm forgetting...

[jimmy sly]

have a cocktail when the day is done...not on the water

[dumbboys]

sorry duplicate post...

[dumbboys]

ok, sorry, another duplicate thread. The full comment is below. I was having a problem posting but it seems to be settled now.

Thanks

[arden]

from experience, on fiberglass boats, whats even worse then black shoe marks are lead marks from sinkers. plugs included, make the extra effort to controll your sinkers and fish boatside. ask any captain and 100% of the time they would rather fish with someone who can control the rod, the rig, and the fish.

[arden]

also, with built in livewell, especially those with metal locks, be EXTRA carefull not to let them slam open or closed...its much more difficult to fix chips and metal marks then the hard scrubbing from wearing black soles

[merch]

Good subject. A couple more things. Always secure your lures/rigs while it's out of the water. Can't count the number of times I've almost lost an eye to a hook or sinker from a swinging, flailing tautog rig in 2-3ft shop while the person walks away to do something else. Also, always clean up after yourself. Whether it's bluefish blood or bait, know where the washdown is and learn how to use it. Keep it clean as possible all day. Nothing like chipping and scraping off dryed blood at the end of a day.

Ask ahead of time what you should bring for tackle. Most guys I know have plenty of well kept gear and prefer to keep the additional stuff to a minimum.

And most importantly, don't tell your wife or girlfriend it will only be a couple of hours! Most fisherman are fairly psychotic and don't want to hear that you girl wants you home while your sitting on top of a pile of fish. Like Pete said, a 4 hour trip turns into all day or night thing pretty regularly. So keep your options open.

[dumbboys]

I'll try this again. I've replied to this post three times now and it still hasn't shown up...

If you take money or let someone buy your fuel, it is considered a charter and is subject to all the same rules as a regular charter. Meaning... You better have a commercial charter insurance policy, a minimum of a 6-pack license, and all the required Coast Guard approved safety equipment ON your Coast Guard approved charter boat.

If you are going fishing, and you aren't bringing a friend, who's paying for your fuel then? So why is it suddenly costing you more to go out this time?

Hey, I appreciate when someone offers to help with fuel cost but truth be told, I'm not going to be an ass about it. If I can't afford to own a boat, maybe I shouldn't. If I go out alone or bring some company, it costs the same. What I like for guests (and I follow the same rules on other peoples boats) is...
1. Bring "good" beer. This is a big one. I'd rather have a 6-pack of good beer than a case of Bud (come to think of it, I'd rather have tonsillitis than a case of Bud). DO NOT DRINK TO MUCH ALCOHOL. This isn't a contest. You will get drunk faster and you will get sick. Save it for back at the dock.
2. Be polite, gracious, respectful. It's my boat, keep your opinions to yourself if you don't like where I mounted the GPS or don't agree with my brand choices. Also, treat my boat as if you had a deposit on it. Don't slam hatches or drop things on the deck or rub your belt buckles on everything. Accidents do happen but it's pretty obvious when someone is just careless.
3. Take your turn at the helm. It's not rocket science, it's just a boat. Offer to take your rotation at the helm so I can fish too. If you have ANY questions about how the boat works, please ask, it doesn't mean you're stupid.
4. If you want to bring your own tackle that's cool. As a matter of fact, I'd rather you buy bait than fuel (that way when we get skunked I can blame it on your crappy bait ). Make sure your gear is well maintained, leave that crunchy old crap at home, this isn't the repair shop.
5. Bringing food, drinks, snacks and such is cool, but not required. Bring water to drink if nothing else. If you get sea sick, LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY! I have stuff on board that works like a champ and it's all natural. (it's called motion-eaze in case you want some, and YES, it works)
6. Stick around until the boat is washed down or you won't be invited back. If you helped dirty it, you can help clean it. Either you can help unload the boat, clean fish or help with the hose but it's rude to just take off when the boat hit's the dock. If you were in a hurry to get somewhere afterwards, you shouldn't have gone in the first place.

That's about it. I agree with the non-marking shoes and some other suggestions as well but it's not that big a deal to me, It washes. I DO NOT allow high heels on board. I don't care how long or how often you've been wearing them, they're NOT coming on the boat. Today will be the day you lose your balance and break your ankle, fall overboard, step on someone else's foot who's barefoot or god knows what else.

Mostly I want us to all have fun.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by dumbboys

Did you know that the second any money changes hands, even for fuel (even if you just buy the fuel for them), it's considered a charter? That's right! You'd better have a 6-pack license (minimum) and charter insurance as well as the appropriate Coast Guard approved safety gear for a commercial vessel.

If you're going out fishing and decide to invite a friend or two, who'd buy the fuel if they didn't go? Would you not go fishing? I'm not saying it's not cool to offer, but it's pretty presumptuous to expect your guests to pay for your fuel.

That's why I said it's not really expected, but to some degree is.

I offer to pay out of courtesy, whether the CG considers it a "charter" or not. I was always taught to help cover gas costs. So I do, whether it's someone I've never met before or my best friends.

I'll be perfectly honest, especially if it was someone I met through these boards that I took fishing and had never met before, if they didn't at least offer some cash at the end of the day I'd be a little ticked off about it.

They wouldn't know I was ticked and I would chalk it up to the fact they just didn't know that it's common courtesy. No big deal.

But for sure some boat owners would definitely remember it for the future. I can guarantee that's the case because I hear it in the shop fairly often. Avoiding NOT getting invited to go out again is the point of the thread.

[Pete_G]

Not sure why you can't see your posts. I can see them all. I'll double check your settings.

Update: You were listed as a "Registered User" prior. Your posts appeared to be approved though so I'd guess they were visible to everyone. You're set as an "Approved Registered User" now so posts should instantly appear for you.