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John please move this thread if there is a better place for it.

So after this holiday weekend I had several epiphanies after having maximum capacity on the boat a couple of times.

We have been boatng for several years, so this is not the first time there have been "issues" come up with guests. I never want to be bossy or come across as rude, but then I get frustrated when something goes south.

After the 3rd day I was getting to the point that I didn't care what anyone thinks, and since I'm half Meskin and half Viking I'm only one bad decision from becoming the most violent person in the room... Seriously, shame on me for expecting folks to always read my mind!

It all worked out great and we had an awesome time, but it would have been much easier had they known what was expected. At least I would not have come across as such a hard-ass constantly harping.

I'm thinking I will have these printed on a piece of coroplast and mounted somewhere at the lakehouse. Then I can always point and say "Read that".

Hopefully this will help some of you guys that have just gotten into, or back into boating. And I'm sure some of you Old Pros that have been at it for a while can add to this list!
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These are the rules of my boat. If you feel they are too harsh or too big of a hassle then you go buy your own and I'll come hang out with you!

1. The Skipper is in charge. Always!

2. Remove shoes before boarding. This should go without saying, but your shoes track grass, oil, gum, sticky crap, and little bits of rock in the treads.

3. No Red or Blue food or drinks allowed on board. This includes any kind of berry, red wine or juice, tomato or marinara sauce, and pretty much anything else that might stain. Ask the skipper what is allowed.

4. Unless the Skipper has told you otherwise, plan on bringing your own food and beer. Refer to # 3.

5. Boats don't run on friendship and love, they run on gas. Plan on contributing, or better yet offered to fill up the tank.

6. Apply sunscreen an hour before boarding. If you have to reapply, stand out on the swim deck, ESPECIALLY with the spray on kind, because some Brands stain. Let it dry before you set down. If you have applied suntan oil or your sunscreen has not dried then please put a towel over your seat.

7. Know where the life jackets and first aid kit are stowed so you don't have to ask in an emergency.

8. Don't assume you can bring anyone extra without asking first.

9. When boarding for launch, get on, find a seat and sit down. Don't just stand there in the middle of the boat, especially in a group. The same applies when docking. The skipper may need to move about quickly and he'll get frustrated if he has to work through a crowd.

10. No standing in the boat while underway. If you have to move somewhere, keep one hand on something to steady yourself, because the throttle maybe chopped or applied without warning.

That pretty much covers my rules. The only one I dont have is #5. I am told I come across as a hardass, or that I'm yelling when explaining my rules. So now after I explain a rule too someone i might "yell" but after I smile and say thank you. Lol

Number five is for the folks that come to the lake and expect you to drag them or their kids around on tubes and wakeboards all day long. At Lake fuel prices that can get out of hand after a couple of days.

I have one more for my boat.

If you have a child under 13 who is picky about their life vest bring your own (certified of course).

I carry 3-4 children vest from 25-60 lbs, but then the children want to whine about the vest. I get tired of listening to it.

Texas Law - 13 and under, you wear the vest if the boat is moving.

You sound just like me. I'm very anal. I am probably worse.
I basically will not invited more than a couple of people at a time. People in general aren't as neat, clean, and more importantly, respectful. Even my dealer walked through my new boat with shoes, but that's another whole story. No ones kids, unless I like them. I actually like all of my kids friends. Lucky for them..

I'm short, quoting Clint Eastwood, "get off my lawn".

Actually I have 1 other.

No one gets on or off the boat with the engine running. No exceptions, No passes. You get off or on with the engine running you're headed to the bank.

If I forget to kill the engine let me know. Sometimes there's a lot going on and I do not realize you want to get in or out of the water.

This I say with a steely eyed stare if there are teenagers onboard. I usually don't have a problem. The bank is always within sight on Lake Travis.

I'm lucky I pretty much only boat with my brother and his family. We've boosted together for years and years. I don't expect anyone to pay for gas as I prob invited them on anyways. My brother will flip me money or buy lunch when ever so no big deal. I pull his daughter ask the time but I enjoy that part of boating. Yes when docking and leaving everyone is sitting and the radioo is off so everyone can hear me. They all know their jobs and know where the ropes and fenders are. Sorry my brother gets yelled at more then everyone one as he has done some bone head moves on the boat with dirty shoes after I just cleaned it. It only takes one look and then his wife lays into him.lol

I guess everyone knows me well enough that I dont normally run into some of these problems. I would have no problem dumping them off on the shore line.
Wow, maybe I am a hardass. Lol

Those are good extras Driller. I'm glad to be a member of the hard-ass club! I like that steely eyed stare. And "get off my lawn". I was worried I was being to much of a turd. I'd tie up with you fellow turds any day.

Thought of one more. I dont let any glass bottles/containers in my boat.

Bfun220 wrote: Thu Jul 06, 2017 7:55 pm Thought of one more. I dont let any glass bottles/containers in my boat.

Same here no way.

Grr. Never thought of that. Guess I should make a change.

Yep to all the above looks like.

I like your style!
I hadn't thought about #6, good info
My family makes fun of me about keeping boat clean, they think I'm anal:)

Hard-Ass? More like Captain!

I have no qualms about yelling at absolutely anyone. I'm extremely laid back - except when it comes to my boat and morons (or kids) on it.

My kids are pretty well trained at this point. My oldest (5) knows the rules and has jobs. He's my first mate. I make it a point whenever new people or kids get on the boat to run through rules loudly and decisively. With kids (and some adults) I make two very important points 1) Always listen to your Captain. 2) Butts in seats.

I've found "Butts in seats" to be very effective. I've also found that if I scare everyone in the very beginning then things generally go smoothly.

YT - your rules are perfect, in fact I'm going to print them out. I'd really only tweak them a bit - No Spray sunscreen anywhere near the boat. That shit will not only stain your vinyl but will eat through your windscreen and your sunglasses.

I also stress all hands in the boat when we're landing or taking off - If I need you to do something I'll ask you otherwise just assume I got it.

One other thing but this isn't so much a concern for swim-steppers as it is for ladders - but I have the kids jump off one side so they can climb out the other and you don't get a log-jam or a concussed 5-year old.

Good job and good thread.