Do you view yourself as a Captain?

R

Ray Bowles

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Oct 6, 2008
857
Hunter, Island Packet, Catalina, San Juan 26,38,22,23 Kettle Falls, Washington
I don't really feel the need to be called Captain at anytime on my boat but I take the responsibility very seriously.
Darn, some of you received some very nice Captains hats. I just got a "Gorton's" fisherman's cover and I wear it a lot.
Ray
 
Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
According to Captain Morgan, who sometimes have been known to be aboard my boat, all of us have a little Captain in us.

For God's Sakes....Please don't sail with a lot of Captain in you! :naughty:
 

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chrisings

chrisings

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Nov 14, 2013
238
Catalina 30 MkI 1983 TRBS Westbrook, CT
To follow up and clarify my original post, no one actually calls me "captain" and I agree that the title belongs to those who have earned the right (I certainly have not). My point was that we, the boat operators, assume the responsibility of "captain" insofar as the safety of all souls on board and the safe operation and maintenance of the vessel.

Now where is that Captain Morgan at???
 
Scotty C-M

Scotty C-M

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Apr 11, 2012
324
Cataina 400 MK II Santa Cruz
I agree that we are talking two different things here. The title of Captain denotes a rank aquired through specific training, certification or experience. The responsibility of captain falls upon the person in command of a vessel.

If I'm in command of my boat, and someone calls me captain, that's a natural use of the term and I'm comfortable with it. When talking with other "captains", I personally use the title of "Skipper", but I would not be opposed to using captain when refering to their command responsibilities. On my boat people just call me Scotty.

About those cool white hats with the fake gold trim. I have one of them. I hardly ever wear it, although sometimes I put it on... and a blue blazer and white pants too! What can I say, it appeals to my sense of humor. And I like the Greek fisherman hats too.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
I have had the USCG and US Navy call me "skipper", ever Captain. To answer the question though, I do not view myself as a Captain.
 
charliegrau

charliegrau

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Dec 29, 2009
149
Hunter 380 Little Creek, Virginia Beach, VA
If you are in charge of the vessel, and safety of all aboard - you're the Captain. Take that responsibility seriously. If you don't want to use the word "Captain", okay....as long as it in no way diminishes the perception of the responsibility that rests with you. I think people want to know that there is someone in charge who knows what to do...rejecting that title reduces the confidence others have in your judgement. So my take is: accept the "title" and be the Captain.
 
C

Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,410
-na -NA Anywhere USA
25YearsLater;

Good to see you went thru Ft. Useless. Oops. Ft. Eustis. Dad was in charge of the transportation school, Felker Airfiled and second in command of Ft. Eustis. As a brat, I got to fly with him anytime and we use to fish off some of those boats with our favorite spot near the Dead Fleet. Those were good times till he was killed in a chopper. I belive that is the only Navy of the U.S. Army at that time.

Now for skipper when teaching couples who bought boats from me, I had to tell the spouse who was not at the wheel to be quiet and let me teach. When the wife was at the wheel, I told her hubby if she barked orders to walk the plank, he had to. Got a lot of surprises with everyone eventually laughing.
 
Anonymous 121765

Anonymous 121765

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Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Captain Recess,

You are the owner/operator/master & captain of your vessel. If folks want to refer to you as captain, wear it proudly. Thirty years of experience both in power & sail, you've earned your bars man.

I felt some years ago that I had put in my time and effort & deserved to warrant a captain's license for my personal satisfaction. It took some years for me to feel this confident & I felt it was deserved.

I started out with a six-pack, then up to Master 100T, then Aux Sail & Assistance Towing. I never did this to make money, however I've run sailing/fishing/diving charters on many different boats & enjoyed every minute. And remember, not all captains are created equal; licensed or knot. It's about experience coupled with knowledge & what you have accomplished, be it personal or professional.

My description of a captain would be:
1. Attention to safety.
2. Keeping a seaworthy vessel.
3. Navigational ability.
4. Understanding weather & sea conditions.
5. Sailing/operational ability.
6. Situational emergency ability
7. Electrical & mechanical ability.
This is what a captain IS & DOES.

Hell, if you haven't killed or maimed anyone in 30 years, the term captain or master should fit well & you should welcome the term. There are some licensed captains that cannot make this claim.

CR
 
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woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Crazy Dave Condon said:
25YearsLater;

Good to see you went thru Ft. Useless. Oops. Ft. Eustis. Dad was in charge of the transportation school, Felker Airfiled and second in command of Ft. Eustis. As a brat, I got to fly with him anytime and we use to fish off some of those boats with our favorite spot near the Dead Fleet. Those were good times till he was killed in a chopper. I belive that is the only Navy of the U.S. Army at that time.
Click to expand
small world there Dave i took my aviation training there in 66 and in the evenings would go to the army air field and hitch flights to Quantico marine base ....the thing i miss about that time was the great hamburgers out the end of the main gate.... Bucks..... as i recall
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,915
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
As a certified captain or ship's master, the title has a great deal of meaning aboard a vessel I am operating professionally. On my own vessel, as a pleasure sailor, though the standards of safety and seamanship remain the same as they would in a professional situation, I'd prefer to be called skipper. However, just as a doctor or other titled professional uses his title, mine is every bit as hard earned and a part of who I am, so I do appreciate it when it is used in a formal situation.
 
Doug4bass

Doug4bass

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Jun 9, 2004
615
Catalina 385 Marquette. Mi
All I know is at the airline, the LAST person you want to fly with is the person who introduces himself as "Captain" XXXXXX. Those guys are usually so full of themselves and tunnel- visioned that they a dangerous.
 
weinie

weinie

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Sep 6, 2010
1,297
Jeanneau 349 port washington, ny
I've been called Captain Obvious before. Does that count?
 
Erieau

Erieau

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Apr 3, 2009
209
Oday 25 Erieau
Ha! Captain Obvious is an occasional character in the comic strip "Non Sequitur."
 
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