Why some people bad mouth boating....

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Sometimes when talking about boating at the office, someone will chime in and express their dislike for boating. They had a boat, spent more time fixing it then using it, etc.

I found that people who got into boating then got out in total disgust usually had a bad experience. When questioned about their experience I usually find a common thread...

1) Buys big boat can't really afford on high rate loan from boat dealer, but has never been on the water before.

2) Does not take a boating course.

3) Lack of knowledge causes error after error after error, causing damage on a regular basis and the obligatory high dollar repair bills.

4) Never bothered to learn about water, the bay, the ocean. Didn't plan trips ahead of time based on weather forcast.

5) Improper or missing accessories on boat. Simple tools like a boat hook, proper anchor, simple tool kit, etc make the trip so much easier.

6) Doesn't know how to anchor, doesn't know how to dock and tie up, doesn't know how to wash, wax, check for water leaks, etc.

7) Never read the manuals.

So every boating experience these folks have is very painful and expensive. So they end up selling the boat just to "get rid of it" and blame their negative experience on the assumption that boating is a wast of time and money designed to frustrate Joe average.

These folks should never have been able to buy a boat in the first place.

Maybe dealers should be required to give buyers a test to see if they are knowledgeable enough to own a boat?

A respectful response would be perception, very few people grew up around boat's, perhaps better said very few people were privildged as youth's (To grow up in that enviroment) to appreciate all the wonder's and entertaiment the enviroment has. Perhap's it is annoying to them that they cannot enjoy the specatacle of nature and what fun it can be, being overwhelmed by cost's with no insight to basic maintance...........it's just a major pain in the arse.......sad but true......

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Sometimes when talking about boating at the office, someone will chime in and express their dislike for boating. They had a boat, spent more time fixing it then using it, etc.

So every boating experience these folks have is very painful and expensive. So they end up selling the boat just to "get rid of it" and blame their negative experience on the assumption that boating is a wast of time and money designed to frustrate Joe average.

These folks should never have been able to buy a boat in the first place.

Hey... Keep that talk under your hat would ya?

I just bought a perfectly good JetSki with a tank of year-old gas in it for $500 cause the previous owner couldn't get it started. If this kind of crap gets out to the general public there will be no more of these kind of deals... Man, don't look a gift horse in the mouth​

 

[woodrat]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

I was lucky enough that my family bought a new boston whaler skiff when I was 4 years old. We didn't use it a whole lot but we usually had it out several times a year until I was about 15 or so. That boat is in my driveway now, and it is what I started out with about five years ago when I got back into boating.

Like I say, I was LUCKY.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Hey... Keep that talk under your hat would ya?

I just bought a perfectly good JetSki with a tank of year-old gas in it for $500 cause the previous owner couldn't get it started. If this kind of crap gets out to the general public there will be no more of these kind of deals... Man, don't look a gift horse in the mouth​

Yeah, my 12 footer was obtained for a steal because of stupid boaters.
Had a guy buy the 1997 12 foot Grumman vee with 1997 Shorelander trailer for 16 foot jon and the 1988 Evinrude four horse deluxe from a widow for 500 bucks. Wanted to start the "boating thing"
Boat came with the original steel fuel can, and a newer plastic can, with a newer line. Apparently, the first owner had the steel can for a while, and years later, updated to the plastic can. The widow, knowing nothing about boats, sold it all to him for 500 bucks, and included both cans, cause she knew nothing about it. He takes it to a marina to service it, and decides he wants to start with all fresh gas. So he fills up the rusty steel can. Takes it out, and then the motor won't start. He has to paddle back, and is thoroughly pissed. So, he wants to get the original 500 he had in it back. We buy it, and all its accessories. Of course, the ONLY safety gear was a single PFD that was his sons. Nope, he didn't have one, or any of the other required stuff. This boat has everything - bimini, bilge pump (no battery of course) paddles. Everything a jon needs. And we got it, in perfect condition, for 500 bucks.
We should keep getting braindead people to buy boats. Makes us poor folks afford it.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Boating is a very technical hobby. Whether it is navigation, manuevering/docking, or maintenance, these are all very technical things that if you are not a technical person it gets either expensive or dangerous or maybe even both.

I am a very technical person and I enjoy these aspects. I also get a lot more boating for less money because I am technically minded. I fix my own stuff - never been to a marine mechanic. I also keep in mind that the bottom fluctuates and is just as damaging as hitting a dock or something on the water. I can tell that my wife does not think about the bottom when she drives. She just avoids whats on the surface. I don't think she's alone out there.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Note the first tag line below...... nu'ff said

 

[bass buster]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Boating is a very technical hobby. Whether it is navigation, manuevering/docking, or maintenance, these are all very technical things that if you are not a technical person it gets either expensive or dangerous or maybe even both.

This is so very true. I'm new to boat ownership, and there is much to learn!
I have found out though, that learning about boats and boating is not as hard as one might think. This web site is a good example of the wealth of knowledge out there for the taking.

I did my homework, read books from the library, researched this site, etc, before buying my first boat. I think the people who have a bad attitude about boating either did not buy the type of boat for their needs, and/or had no clue what to look for when buying a used boat, and therefore they are unhappy.

Boating, like any other endeavor, is a learning process for the newbie.
It does help to be mechanically inclined though, to do your own maintenance and repairs.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

I solved that problem long ago..when on a sled, I only talk to snowmobile people, on a Harley, only HD (old riders, not the new idiots), on a Jap bike of mine, only rice riders, boats and NOT my friend boaters?.....well, live on the water in a waterfront private community...and I talk to them all the time..and they usaully leave me some money before they leave..the other fanatic's?... we share a beer and talk about the rest...

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Why some people bad mouth boating....

Yea, my buddies complain about the speed.

That's certianly not surprizing Spinner. Do ya keep a spare set of u-trou fer guests after a speed run???? JR