Strangers boarding without permission

[Knot Waiting]

Has anyone else ever caught strangers aboard their unattended (docked or beached) boat?
I've noticed a few other comments on the subject and am starting to wonder if this is more common than I thought. On more that one occasion I have busted people (usually kids) bouncing from one boat to another or playing around on mine. Mostly its while docked at a bar or retaurant, it's very annoying and a little un-nerving. Are there that many clueless people out there?........ wait, nevermind, lol.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Never have seen anyone on my boat. When we dock for lunch or dinner I always get a table with a clear view of the boat and keep a close eye out (makes for a relaxing dinner!). Have seen people get close and look in from the dock but if they look as though they are going to board or allow their kids to board I get up and get down there to make sure they don't. More often than not it is a case of parents not watching their kids close enough. Certainly don't mind people admiring the boat but I wouldn't like anyone getting aboard. Not only "annoying and un-nerving" but also trespassing!

 

[71-South]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

I've never had that problem, but there's only one restaurant on the lake I frequent, and I've only been there once. I'm usually parked on a private dock.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Ive noticed the trend on here throughout the comments as well.

That being said, I've never seen it happen, and its never happened to me...

I dont even understand how someone could possibly think that is ok! I have had people get close and look intently at it, but I think that is more of the "hey nice boat, I want to check it out" situation. Or perhaps another mariner just observing a different boat. Both situations I am totally comfortable with, but gettin IN the boat?!?!

 

[QC]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Never happened to me and I slip a lot. Overnight, restaurants, crowded beach etc.

I have been at one place (Knoxville, TN) where everybody rafted up side by side to extend from the existing slips. It was protocol to walk across everyone's swimsteps to get to/from the boats on the end. Only place I have ever seen anything like that, but it was the local custom for Volunteer Football game attendance.

 

[mjgates]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Never happened to me, but I have worried about it from time to time as I have a very nice stereo system with sub, bazooka tower speakers and amp. Would hate to have some kids on there with access to that kind of stereo equipment. I have not been able to find tower speaker locks, but have looked online. I would definately purchanse if anyone knows if they exist. I have boarded others boats twice. Once at our slip where the boat was taking on water and I started bailing it out and called marina owners, and another runaway boat at the lake I had to chase and tow back. But never in a trespassing manner.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

I once tied my boat off on the outside of a courtesy ramp while I went for my vehicle and trailer. When I came back, there was a kid sitting in the boat fishing. The kid's parent was nearby. I told the kid to get out of my boat so I could load it on the trailer. The parent yelled at me for speaking to her precious boy.

Uff da!

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Wow! I am pretty sure if I saw an uninvited stranger in my boat the result would be unpleasant for my visitor.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

We have a catamaran we sail off the beach near Atlantic City. In between runs we sit on our beach chairs, 50 to 100 feet from the boat (which is typically at the water's edge).
Often people will walk by a take pictures of themselves in front of the boat, no problem.
Sometimes they'll sit on the boat for a picture, annoying but still no problem. Occasionally they'll put their toddler on the boat, (isn't he/she cute?), slight problem because if the kid gets hurt by a swinging boom or sharp edge I'll be at fault.
On rare occasions a passing parent decides my boat makes a perfect changing table for their soiled child, BIG PROBLEM, especially when they leave the diaper behind. This has happened!

 

[brick75]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

wow, never has happened to me. I must say, I'd be quite pissed off if it did. Especially if it was an adult. That tells me that they are most likely looking to steal stuff which don't sit to well with me.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Nope never happened to me. I don't understand it. I wouldn't go hop into someone elses car, motorhome, motorcycle or home so why should we allow them to just hop in our boats without being invited ? If I ever see someone in mine, I hope they know how to swim. hahahaha

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Hasn't happened to me yet, but Lord help 'em if I catch them. I'm very picky about that type of stuff and feel totally violated if someone doesn't abide by the same rules. Heck I won't even go into my wife's purse if she asks me to. I'll take it to her and let her do it. It's her property and none of my business.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Hasn't happened to me yet, but Lord help 'em if I catch them. I'm very picky about that type of stuff and feel totally violated if someone doesn't abide by the same rules. Heck I won't even go into my wife's purse if she asks me to. I'll take it to her and let her do it. It's her property and none of my business.

Besides, Women's purses are DANGEROUS.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

I have never had it happen to me with a boat,
but,
PEOPLE ARE CLUELESS!
I have had it happen several times with my motorcycle. I have went out of a store or bar and they are just sitting on my bike like they own the damn thing. I have a custom built bike that I have put a ton of time & money in, and go crazy on them. My blood -pressure just went up thinking about it.lol

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Hasn't happened yet but around here people who are on your boat without permission are referred to as "Thieves." Since my slip is on the end pier and I weigh upwards of 300# they'd be taking a short, involuntary walk off the stern.

In truth, our marina has a high-mounted watch-house and they don't allow shenanigans like that. The harbormaster pretty much knows who belongs where and will send out their people if they see someone needs either some help or a good reminder of the rules. Nevertheless, I still don't leave electronics on the boat just in case.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Two seasons ago, we docked at a restaurant on Lake Lewisville in the evening to pick up a couple friends to head back out. We waited at the bar for about 30 minutes. Then headed out to the boat to find a drunk guy laying on the back of our boat. tried to get him up but couldn't. Went in and got a local police office that works overtime at the bar. He headed out and managed to get the guy off. Think he went to jail for public intox. Officer asked if I wanted to press charges for trespassing and I declined.

 

[brunolund]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

yes, it has happened twice to me. once, we were driving by the marina, and saw two adults sitting on our 'toon. it gets tied up at the dock ther where we rewnt a slip. it's a little marina, maybe 30 slips. anyway, we walk up to them and ask what the (heck) they are doing? they mumble somyhing close to sorry and walk away!!! if my mom wasn't with us, it may have turned out aloy more satisfying.
another time some (dumb guy) tied his boat to the outside of our toon, and walked right across the deck, to get to the dock. we waited about half an hour, and they walk up like they have done no wrong. we chewed them out for a bit, and told him if he does it again, it will be a long swin for him to get to his boat.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Hasn't happened to me yet, but Lord help 'em if I catch them. I'm very picky about that type of stuff and feel totally violated if someone doesn't abide by the same rules. Heck I won't even go into my wife's purse if she asks me to. I'll take it to her and let her do it. It's her property and none of my business.

Absolutley!!! I like the purse statement. I thought I was the only one that was that pecular. I do not look at phones purses ect that is their space not mine.

With regards to boarding. If it was unattended and I returned to find someone on it that would be a very bad day. Now if I am there and someone wants to usse my swim platform or rest on their long swim to their boat thats fine.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

yes; at powell last winter. some time after 10 pm but before 1 am
i was sound asleep and woke up to sarge throwing a fit, and the boat rocking.
i got up as quick as i could thinking the night guard had stopped for some reason, as there were very few people in the marina.

i got out of the cabin and to the transom and the camper cover was un zipped and a fellow walking pretty fast and 3 boats toward the main walk. i hollered at him and asked what he wanted. he mumbled something about, thought he was on his boat and never stopped.
i was so unnerved i couldn't think straight. there had been some complaints of petty theft last winter their, but i had passed it off and not thought to much about TILL THEN.

i have kinda wished every since i would have had the presences of mind to send sarge down the dock after him.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Strangers boarding without permission

Sounds like a good way to get shot then arrested!!! (I don't own a gun) It would create a very hurtful situation for the person doing that to my boat. Same thing if they entered my house or car.