Does your boat ever go out on the water without you at the helm? If so, who takes the boat out without you? Do you have one or more financial partners in the boat or is it in a timeshare program? Does your spouse or significant other take the boat out on their own? How about a good friend or a close relative? How do you feel when the boat is out on the water without you? And perhaps most important, do they leave the boat the way you like it? Share your thoughts and experiences then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Tough One
Good question. I am near retirement and I thought about where I could find people who would trade thier home and boat for mine. Seems to me that you would have to do a lot of research on people who you might consider turning your boat over to.
Good question. I am near retirement and I thought about where I could find people who would trade thier home and boat for mine. Seems to me that you would have to do a lot of research on people who you might consider turning your boat over to.
I'm the only one
We bought a bigger boat (410) thinking that my son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids would show an interest. Not the case. I'm the only one who I trust to drive the boat into and out of the slip. My wife makes an effective First Mate. She is afraid to take the boat out or bring her in. But, she enjoys the helm and sailing it once out of the slip. The boat was purchased by us alone. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
We bought a bigger boat (410) thinking that my son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids would show an interest. Not the case. I'm the only one who I trust to drive the boat into and out of the slip. My wife makes an effective First Mate. She is afraid to take the boat out or bring her in. But, she enjoys the helm and sailing it once out of the slip. The boat was purchased by us alone. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
I have 2 friends . . .
that I would let take my boat out, providing it did not interfere with my plans. I have known both for 7 years, we all moved to our current marina the same season. We are on the same dock, one is slipped right next to me, the other is 2 slips away. We have all sailed extensivly together, on my boat, or one of their boats. We 3, and our significant others, have a bareboat catamaran chartered for New Years week this winter in the BVI. Chris s/v Tidesong
that I would let take my boat out, providing it did not interfere with my plans. I have known both for 7 years, we all moved to our current marina the same season. We are on the same dock, one is slipped right next to me, the other is 2 slips away. We have all sailed extensivly together, on my boat, or one of their boats. We 3, and our significant others, have a bareboat catamaran chartered for New Years week this winter in the BVI. Chris s/v Tidesong
My first boat.................
I am close to ordering my first boat (again). I'm going it alone and planning to live aboard it here on Lake Union, at the marina here at my office (I'm tired of my 5 min commute). This is my way around the high costs of home ownership here in Seattle. A 500 sf condo with no view will cost ya at least 200,000 here, a detached home even more and this boat is going to be less than 130,000. As it works out, the payments will be about the same as my apartment rent and the moorage about 350 a month and when I stop eating out every day I'll save the moorage right there. Then there's the tax write-off from the interest deduction! I have a bunch of friends all of a sudden and I'm sure I will be taking them out a lot but no one will be getting aboard without white rubber soled shoes! I'll be the only one taking the boat to and from the dock but I won't be afraid to let people take the helm (I'll be within lunging distance of course)once we're out on the water. Even I have to learn to dock the boat!. I don't even let other people drive my car but I have a friend in the office next door who can actually sail his boat out of the marina so I'm sure I'd let him take the boat if he needed to entertain clients , his is just a day sailer. There's a lot to be gained from people who have more experience.
I am close to ordering my first boat (again). I'm going it alone and planning to live aboard it here on Lake Union, at the marina here at my office (I'm tired of my 5 min commute). This is my way around the high costs of home ownership here in Seattle. A 500 sf condo with no view will cost ya at least 200,000 here, a detached home even more and this boat is going to be less than 130,000. As it works out, the payments will be about the same as my apartment rent and the moorage about 350 a month and when I stop eating out every day I'll save the moorage right there. Then there's the tax write-off from the interest deduction! I have a bunch of friends all of a sudden and I'm sure I will be taking them out a lot but no one will be getting aboard without white rubber soled shoes! I'll be the only one taking the boat to and from the dock but I won't be afraid to let people take the helm (I'll be within lunging distance of course)once we're out on the water. Even I have to learn to dock the boat!. I don't even let other people drive my car but I have a friend in the office next door who can actually sail his boat out of the marina so I'm sure I'd let him take the boat if he needed to entertain clients , his is just a day sailer. There's a lot to be gained from people who have more experience.
Trust
I have access to two other boats other than my own, which I take out on occassion just to keep them from disuse. I allow at least one other person to take my boat out since I am confident in his ability as being as good if not better than mine. If I owned a new boat worth more than my house I may have another opinion.
I have access to two other boats other than my own, which I take out on occassion just to keep them from disuse. I allow at least one other person to take my boat out since I am confident in his ability as being as good if not better than mine. If I owned a new boat worth more than my house I may have another opinion.
My father-in-law
taught me to sail and we co-owned a C22 for 5 years. He is welcome to take out my C320 anytime. I do not have a second thought about it, and he leaves the boat in as good or better condition than when he started.
taught me to sail and we co-owned a C22 for 5 years. He is welcome to take out my C320 anytime. I do not have a second thought about it, and he leaves the boat in as good or better condition than when he started.
Never!
Rob once took my boat out without me (and without asking) - just once! I trust his sailing ability implicitly but I just didn't like it and he certainly didn't like the thought of coming "home" to find his boat gone!! I wouldn't even let my parents take my boat out without me!! Guess I'm just selfish.
LaDonna
Rob once took my boat out without me (and without asking) - just once! I trust his sailing ability implicitly but I just didn't like it and he certainly didn't like the thought of coming "home" to find his boat gone!! I wouldn't even let my parents take my boat out without me!! Guess I'm just selfish.
LaDonnabrother in law
Edwin my brother in law has keys to my boat and is welcome to it at all times. Only problem is that he maintains his boat so well that sometimes I feel like a "slacker" when he sees mine.
Edwin my brother in law has keys to my boat and is welcome to it at all times. Only problem is that he maintains his boat so well that sometimes I feel like a "slacker" when he sees mine.
No, she only goes out with....
me on board. Sorry, but been that way for twenty years I've owned her. I'll let others sail her while I'm on board, but other than that, she's a one man boat.
me on board. Sorry, but been that way for twenty years I've owned her. I'll let others sail her while I'm on board, but other than that, she's a one man boat.
No Way
I would not allow anyone to take my boat out without me onboard. I have waited too long to own my own boat. I am the only one in my family that knows how to operate everything so it would be a problem if my wife took it out herself. She has told me she has no interest in taking the boat out without me so it works. I have tried to explain how to operate everything to my wife in case there is an emergency but she really isn't interested. I of course enjoy other people piloting the boat with me watching but I never feel I can take a nap while someone else is piloting the boat. My big concern is when my older son turns 16. He could jump in the car drive down to the marina and go on a joy ride. I enjoy sailing with him but I don't want him sailing my boat without me with his friends. Is that selfish? I have seen him fool around to impress his friends and that would worry me. I keep emphasizing that sailing is fun but carries a certain amount of responsibility but who knows if that actually sinks in. Tom
I would not allow anyone to take my boat out without me onboard. I have waited too long to own my own boat. I am the only one in my family that knows how to operate everything so it would be a problem if my wife took it out herself. She has told me she has no interest in taking the boat out without me so it works. I have tried to explain how to operate everything to my wife in case there is an emergency but she really isn't interested. I of course enjoy other people piloting the boat with me watching but I never feel I can take a nap while someone else is piloting the boat. My big concern is when my older son turns 16. He could jump in the car drive down to the marina and go on a joy ride. I enjoy sailing with him but I don't want him sailing my boat without me with his friends. Is that selfish? I have seen him fool around to impress his friends and that would worry me. I keep emphasizing that sailing is fun but carries a certain amount of responsibility but who knows if that actually sinks in. Tom
Only us Owners!
My wife is the only other person who takes out our boat. Usually it is always together, but ocassionally I might take out a group of retired friends when she is at work, or she might participate in a womens race. We generally share responsibity of steering and line handling. I like her to be as proficient as I am so in a case of an emergency I know she can get the boat back to the dock safely. There are very few people that we would allow to take our boat. We have a financial investment, not to mention hours of work that gives us pride in our boat, that others people can't relate to.
My wife is the only other person who takes out our boat. Usually it is always together, but ocassionally I might take out a group of retired friends when she is at work, or she might participate in a womens race. We generally share responsibity of steering and line handling. I like her to be as proficient as I am so in a case of an emergency I know she can get the boat back to the dock safely. There are very few people that we would allow to take our boat. We have a financial investment, not to mention hours of work that gives us pride in our boat, that others people can't relate to.
Others take the helm
But the boat does not go out without me. I sail with a group of women every Friday and each has a turn at the helm. My husband takes the helm, and enjoys adjusting the sails, but does not wish to take the boat in and out of the slip. Joan
But the boat does not go out without me. I sail with a group of women every Friday and each has a turn at the helm. My husband takes the helm, and enjoys adjusting the sails, but does not wish to take the boat in and out of the slip. Joan
Girlfriends and/or tools
A person comes closer to borrowing my girlfriend or my tools before they wind up borrowing my boat!! My boat only leaves the dock with either me or my mechanic at the helm. I have let certain close friends use the boat as a dock-o-minium from time to time to find out whether the boating life is for them and I'm likely to do that in the future with certain close friends, but that's a very small circle. And, they always leave it in great shape. Other than that, if a person wants to use my boat without me aboard, that'll be fine...just as soon as their check for the purchase of it clears the bank!!
A person comes closer to borrowing my girlfriend or my tools before they wind up borrowing my boat!! My boat only leaves the dock with either me or my mechanic at the helm. I have let certain close friends use the boat as a dock-o-minium from time to time to find out whether the boating life is for them and I'm likely to do that in the future with certain close friends, but that's a very small circle. And, they always leave it in great shape. Other than that, if a person wants to use my boat without me aboard, that'll be fine...just as soon as their check for the purchase of it clears the bank!!
Spouse is NOT an "Other"-Spouse is an OWNER!
Sorry guys, I take real offense at the implication that one's spouse isn't an equal owner. Hey! I pay half that boat payment! No, we would never loan our boat out. Yes, due to various circumstances, each of us sometimes goes out on it alone.
Sorry guys, I take real offense at the implication that one's spouse isn't an equal owner. Hey! I pay half that boat payment! No, we would never loan our boat out. Yes, due to various circumstances, each of us sometimes goes out on it alone.
Probably not
I am the owner of a 1990 Hunter 35.5 and this is my big boat. I do have some friends and family with quite a bit of sailing experience but usually not on a boat this size. I trust their judgement and sailing capabilities and do not feel uncomfortable about going below while they are at the helm. Since I am still not super comfortable in bringing the boat into the marina and getting it into the slip (although I always get it in with no problem some parkings are right on the dime while others end with the boat not quite where I meant for it to go). For this reason I would not feel comfortable in letting a person take it in and out of the slip even with me supervising and as such I would not let a person do so with out me first checking them out (hence there is no way for me to let a person borrow my boat). My main concern is insurance should they damage my boat or another in the marina. I have however let certified boat repair people operate the boat when required.
I am the owner of a 1990 Hunter 35.5 and this is my big boat. I do have some friends and family with quite a bit of sailing experience but usually not on a boat this size. I trust their judgement and sailing capabilities and do not feel uncomfortable about going below while they are at the helm. Since I am still not super comfortable in bringing the boat into the marina and getting it into the slip (although I always get it in with no problem some parkings are right on the dime while others end with the boat not quite where I meant for it to go). For this reason I would not feel comfortable in letting a person take it in and out of the slip even with me supervising and as such I would not let a person do so with out me first checking them out (hence there is no way for me to let a person borrow my boat). My main concern is insurance should they damage my boat or another in the marina. I have however let certified boat repair people operate the boat when required.
Not so far
So far no. I have a close friend who is a sailor and he probably would want to take the boat out himself. But he knows it is a sensative subject and knows not to ask. I'm sure he wishes that I would bring it up. My wife and my son (18) are interested, and I try to teach them what I know. And I would be very happy if they would learn enough to be able to take the boat out themselves. However, they are not there yet. It's a matter of technical ability. ajp
So far no. I have a close friend who is a sailor and he probably would want to take the boat out himself. But he knows it is a sensative subject and knows not to ask. I'm sure he wishes that I would bring it up. My wife and my son (18) are interested, and I try to teach them what I know. And I would be very happy if they would learn enough to be able to take the boat out themselves. However, they are not there yet. It's a matter of technical ability. ajp
Just to a select few
I co-own a Catalina 34 with my business partner whom I infected with the sailing bug four years ago. But other than him, the only other person I let take the helm is my brother-in-law who is a resident genius/engineer and has made so many contributions to the boat he holds the status of defacto co-owner. He installed the heat and air conditioning unit in the port locker just aft of the nav station and it is a marvel to behold. He put in an anchor wash pump/cockpit shower nozzle that I wonder how I ever lived without. He solved the dimly lit salon problem with tastefully positioned tracklights, put in a state of the art marine stereo system and installed a bow anchor roller that makes dropping the hook something I actually no longer dread. He is always looking for the next project!!! You gotta loan a guy like that your boat.
I co-own a Catalina 34 with my business partner whom I infected with the sailing bug four years ago. But other than him, the only other person I let take the helm is my brother-in-law who is a resident genius/engineer and has made so many contributions to the boat he holds the status of defacto co-owner. He installed the heat and air conditioning unit in the port locker just aft of the nav station and it is a marvel to behold. He put in an anchor wash pump/cockpit shower nozzle that I wonder how I ever lived without. He solved the dimly lit salon problem with tastefully positioned tracklights, put in a state of the art marine stereo system and installed a bow anchor roller that makes dropping the hook something I actually no longer dread. He is always looking for the next project!!! You gotta loan a guy like that your boat.
Spouses
I know what you mean about spouses. My wife wanted the boat. We reviewed the contract to purchase the new boat and she signed it. Technically that may make it HER boat... Ha Ha. My wife is a very proficient sailor. Much better at sail trim than I. She can take the boat in and out of the slip, but gets nervous. What she hasn't figured out is that I'm still nervous doing it after two years... I'm sure she's got the skills to single hand this boat... Regards, Chris
I know what you mean about spouses. My wife wanted the boat. We reviewed the contract to purchase the new boat and she signed it. Technically that may make it HER boat... Ha Ha. My wife is a very proficient sailor. Much better at sail trim than I. She can take the boat in and out of the slip, but gets nervous. What she hasn't figured out is that I'm still nervous doing it after two years... I'm sure she's got the skills to single hand this boat... Regards, Chris
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