It amazes me how may boaters/anglers don't carry essentials on their boat, or in their tow vehicle.  Just this week-end I was approached by three different people. The first needed a tow, which I was glad to do, but they had nothing to tow them with, not even a cast off line.  Luckily, I carry a 50ft. one on mine.  The second was a major concern on my part as a skier was cut by floating debris and the boater didn't have a first-aid kit on board.  The last one is a laugher as, at the launch a fellow asked if I had any TP. I keep a roll in my truck and told him to keep it.   Now, two of the three, I can understand, but not having a first-aid kit on board is irresponsible.

What situations make you wonder about people?

People are the same wherever you go good and bad, ignorant and foolish.  On the lake triple all this!

 

Bow Riding ~

Besides being illegal in most every jurisdiction,

one of the most likely ways to get killed or maimed on a boat is to ride on the front, or bow with the vessel at speed and or on plane. 

Would you put your child on the hood of your car and ride around ?

Always inspired a fairly 'intense' safety boarding. 

And a sweet fine. 

C'Mon Man.

A-Jay

 

 

14 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Bow Riding ~

Besides being illegal in most every jurisdiction,

one of the most likely ways to get killed or maimed on a boat is to ride on the front, or bow with the vessel at speed and or on plane. 

Would you put your child on the hood of your car and ride around ?

Always inspired a fairly 'intense' safety boarding. 

And a sweet fine. 

C'Mon Man.

A-Jay

 

 

C’mon, A-Jay, don’t be a killjoy! There’s nothing wrong with bow riding! We do it all the time and it’s safe as can b…..bam! Gah-h-h-h!!! 
 

Yeah, accidents happen that fast. I think many believe they have seconds to react. Often it’s milliseconds. And then the regrets come. Sad, but true. 

22 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Bow Riding ~

Besides being illegal in most every jurisdiction,

one of the most likely ways to get killed or maimed on a boat is to ride on the front, or bow with the vessel at speed and or on plane. 

Would you put your child on the hood of your car and ride around ?

Always inspired a fairly 'intense' safety boarding. 

And a sweet fine. 

C'Mon Man.

A-Jay

 

 

If Jack and Rose can do it, so can I!

1 minute ago, ironbjorn said:

If Jack and Rose can do it, so can I!

As I recall, at least some of that didn't end well.

A-Jay

Maybe its more common and I never paid attention to it, but I watched 2 boats be loaded on to trailers that they didn't belong on this weekend.  One of which saw a 15'ish sailboat that I can't imagine it made to its destination without issue.  I would think using items to wedge between boat and bunk would be the first sign......

 

 

Last year I watched the park ranger tow a boat to the docks and start writing tickets like crazy. The two guys had bought the boat that day and didn’t have a fire extinguisher, oars, whistle, floatation device or apparently a working motor. They did have a cell phone I guess. 

All you have to do is sit at a boat launch on any of our lakes and you can have a hay day of things to report back to this thread.

 

One of my favorites is to see people put their camp chairs in the middle of one of the lanes of a boat launch while they swim or fish, and then they complain when you ask them to move when I'm trying to back my boat in.  Like it's a concrete beach for them or something.

1 hour ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

Last year I watched the park ranger tow a boat to the docks and start writing tickets like crazy. The two guys had bought the boat that day and didn’t have a fire extinguisher, oars, whistle, floatation device or apparently a working motor. They did have a cell phone I guess. 

And then went home and told all their friends what a A the ranger was. When they should have thanked him for possibly saving them from getting hurt or worse.

Ramp watching is like going to a comedy show.

A few years back a guy at the ramp needed a jump.  The lake is electric motor only and he had used his truck battery to power his trolling motor, and when he put the battery back in the truck it didn't have enough juice to turn the truck over.

I always carry the essentials on the boat after several trials by error.  Always have wire cutters to help with hook removal.  Always a full roll of toilet paper, and a large industrial strength garbage bag.  Three times more water than I need, especially in the hot months.  A flight plan for the wife of where I’m going, ramp used, and return time.  Sun cover from head to toe in the Florida heat, and CC.  A phone charger cord for emergency if needed. Food!  
 

Don’t  go unprepared it could cost you big time.

I'm staring at my ceiling and whistling .