Some people are way too trusting... and clueless

rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
So I texted the Marina Owner.

Have not gotten a response. If the motor is still there next time I'm out, I'll put a lock on it, slip the key in the companionway with a note and flip his boat around so at the least it won't be so dang easy. I have a few spare locks in my shed. Not sure when I will be back out. This time of year we get the occasionally weird warm day... but they don't always land on a day when I can skip work. Today's high was 45F and that is a bit cold for me. I know @Jackdaw likes to sail in cold weather but my blood has thinned out since I have moved further south.
 
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Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
[QUOTE="rgranger,..., I'll put a lock on it, slip the key in the companionway with a note and flip his boat around so at the least it won't be so dang easy. ....[/QUOTE]

I don't think you should turn the boat around- nor even go on it- it is private property after all.. I'd move it forward enough to lower the motor into the water. Motors do get stolen by people coming in by dinghy.
 
M

MitchM

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Jan 20, 2005
1,031
Nauticat 321 pilothouse 32 Erie PA
i'm curious how his outboard runs after the support shaft for its prop has supported 1000 # worth of boat for a few days. let us know, eh?
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Go to the dockmaster and say that you and he need to remove that motor because it is a safety hazard as well as going to cause damage to the dock. Remove the motor from the boat And let the dockmaster store it. The dockmaster can return it to the owner when he next sees the owner.
Thanks, Andrew
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
agprice22 said:
Go to the dockmaster and say that you and he need to remove that motor because it is a safety hazard as well as going to cause damage to the dock. Remove the motor from the boat And let the dockmaster store it. The dockmaster can return it to the owner when he next sees the owner.
Thanks, Andrew
Click to expand

There is no dock master. The marina owner is in his 90's, and is a retired merchant mariner. He lives in Florida during the winter months and won't return until about a week before memorial day. He also runs an Irish pub on the property.... HARP ON TAP!!!!!.... and the food is great. But definitely a low key place. The place is shut down for winter at the moment.... including the bath house....
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
rgranger said:
There is no dock master. The marina owner is in his 90's, and is a retired merchant mariner. He lives in Florida during the winter months and won't return until about a week before memorial day. He also runs an Irish pub on the property.... HARP ON TAP!!!!!.... and the food is great. But definitely a low key place. The place is shut down for winter at the moment.... including the bath house....
Click to expand
In that case, I would retie the boat put that motor away from the dock, or I would remove the motor myself, and leave the owner a note where to find it. When he calls to get his motor, kindly inform him that you saved his A$$... ;):ass:
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
[QUOTE="agprice22,...I would retie the boat put that motor away from the dock, or I would remove the motor myself, and leave the owner a note where to find it. When he calls to get his motor, kindly inform him that you saved his A$$... ;):ass:[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't attempt to mess with the motor. If it gets dropped in the water, who pays for it? If it gets stolen from the shed, that may make you an accomplice. Like I and agprice suggest, move it away from the dock.
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
rgranger said:
Thanks all.... I think the correct thing for me to do is to pull the boat forward retie and walk away....
Click to expand
Good plan. I think we should hold people responsible for their behavior in the marina community. In the absence of a dock master, I think moving the boat is reasonable and even kind. I might even turn the boat, so the motor is away from the dock.
 
victorhoisington

victorhoisington

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Jan 22, 2008
296
Islander Freeport, 41 Ketch Longmont, CO
Not sure if its possible. Does your state have a way to look up the owner via the boat registration numbers? Or a least leave a friendly note to the affect that its not courteous to block the dock and just "mention" you've heard about a rash of OB thefts in the area. that motor is small enough he could easily pull it off and store it in the cabin.

Just a thought
 
M

markwbird

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Nov 26, 2012
1,654
C&C 40-2 Berkeley
Doug4bass said:
New guy or not, common sense would dictate that the said motor was a tripping hazard. At the very least inconsiderate to others. He deserves what will happen. Cant correct stupid. Maybe some hazard tape around the prop??
Click to expand
Doug4bass said it better than me but same idea.
 
pateco

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
I would lower his engine and move him farther out in the slip. Leave a note explaining to him that it was at risk of hitting the dock and being damaged at low tide , even if it isn't.
(I personally have no problem with a white lie for his own protection)

I would not however sign the note. ( just in case it is stolen, I don't want to be accused by him, or questioned by the police)
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
UPDATE:

The marina owner has not left for Florida yet and he responded to my text. He said he will go put a lock on it... I assume he will adjust the lines too.... so... happy-ish ending.
 
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Siamese

Siamese

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Aug 2, 2009
651
Catalina 315 Muskegon
I would guess that this guy is making, and will continue to make decisions that are detrimental to his boat, and there's probably not much to be done about that.

But leaving that thing across the dock like that is so RUDE. I'd make a nice clean cut with a hacksaw and remove the offending portion of his motor, except for the fact the list of suspects would be anyone further out on the dock.
 
BlowMeAway

BlowMeAway

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Nov 30, 2015
1,343
Hunter 1978 H30 Cherubini, Treman Marina, Ithaca, NY
Yeah, just move the boat out a bit away from the main pier and re-slip well, with the OB lowered. Seems like you've covered the notification bases, so just do it. Honestly if one of my marina neighbors did this, with respect to an obstacle on the main pier and potential motor damage, that's all any of 400 boat owners in my marina would do. We don't have tides or water flow issues to consider, you'd be doing this learning owner a favor. No need for entering the boat or leaving notes. Just make your actions helpfully obvious. Besides, if there's any repercussion just show the owner this thread. C'mon Man...we all know you're one of the good guys @rgranger. Happy ending indeed!
 
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