Know what chaps my hide?

[Brian D]

Boaters that barrow things and then never return them.

Several months ago, a boater by the name of Rudy purchased a Lancer 27 like mine. The boat was located in Mission Bay, just north of San Diego Bay. He was going to move the boat from Mission Bay up to Dana Point. We got to talking and he found out I had an emergency tiller.

He asked for pictures so he could build one. Then mentioned the trip and his lack of confidence with his wheel steering. So like a good boater that I am, I offered to let him use my emergency tiller for the trip and to get one made. That was back in June.

I have emailed and emailed the guy to get my tiller back. He answered once saying he could mail it to me. Never heard from him again and I lost his phone number.

So, if any of you see a Lancer 27 in Dana Point, the up channel marina (west?) not the marina near the entrance, and his name is Rudy, please ask his to contact me and return my tiller, like a good boater would do. Thanks.

Brian D

 

[Recess]

That is harsh

and I have lost quite a few items "loaning" them to people I thought I knew well. I hate when people start to avoid you just because they cannot bring themselves to bring back your stuff!

I really thought this thread might be about people starting threads and then not posting in them again.... but that is what chaps Ross' hide.

 

[Ross]

Dave , that is one of several.

I have been known to go to some lengths to retrieve tools that I have loaned. I am not too polite when I ask for them either. There is only a thin line between theft by deception and breaking and entering.

 

[higgs]

Take a drive...

...up to Dana Point and find the guy's boat. Be sure to let him know how disappointed you are. The vast majority of boaters won't do this type of thing. and we need to keep that in perspective.

 

[Napa Ed]

who's fault?

"So like a good boater that I am,"

Nothing in Chapmans about being a patsy.

 

[Nik]

With deposit only...

I learned long ago to never LOAN tools. I have no problem loaning a tool with a deposit for what it is worth or a (trade) for appropriate amount. This applies to tools that are going to be used for more than a few hours dock side. Need a wrench or screw driver for a bit.. here it is... need my sander, spray gun, compressor, give me $$ and if you break it you bought it. Return it in like condition ya get the $$ back. Don't return it, I buy a new one. Pretty simple.

Nik

 

[Ross]

I am such a busy body that I usually go with the

tools and get involved in the work. You may use my tools in my shop if I have invited you to make use of them. If you need help, I will help. If you need a craftsman I can be hired.

 

[Warren Milberg]

While no one likes to lose

tools or equipment loaned to another sailor, some of it just goes with the turf (or surf?). I've loaned a lot of stuff over the years and I've gotten most of it back. I think that's because I only loan stuff to people I know. If someone I don't know needs to borrow a tool, I do what Ross does: I go with the tool and return with the tool.

A friend of mine really got paranoid about losing stuff. He wrote his name with an indelible marker on everything on or in his boat. I mean everything. It was embarrassing to be on his boat as you were always sitting on his name, using a plate with his name on it, holding a coozy with his name on it, etc...

 

[BobM]

The real PITA

The real pain in the (insert noun) here is that he not only failed to return said borrowed item, but that it was an item that likely needs custom fabrication. I don't think I would loan anybody my emergency tiller, or anything else that would be quite painful to replace if lost.

I can relate. I emailed a guy who bought a boat on ebay that I easily recognized as being in my mooring area from the photos. I volunteered to help him out. I met him after work with my tender in my truck, I launched the tender and we went out for his first view of what was a pretty clapped out late 60's or early 70's Cal with an outboard that "wouldn't start." While he was looking through the boat...the owner had apparently been the midst of a total deck core replacement from the inside...I got the outboard running. It ran fine, but had no forward or reverse.

Anyway...you get the drift...I put some time in to help the guy out. By the way, he arrived in a nice black Mercedes. So I also loaned him a repair book for my outboard, since they were similar. He promised to mail it back. It took me months to get that thing back from him. Every few months I'd call and talk to him, or leave a message. Eventually I finally got it back.

Don't give up. You know his name, you know where his boat is, try to look him up on the internet. Call the marina and tell them your story, that you lost his number and ask for his phone number.

Good Luck. We have both put a lot of time in helping Lancer owners over the past few years. Therefore I know better than most that you are a genuinely nice guy who deserves better treatment.

 

[JohnS12875]

Return the favor

You know the marina. Just take a drive up there one weekend, find his boat, and borrow his mainsail. Leave him a note telling him you'll return it to him soon.

 

[Brian D]

Update...

After a couple of weeks of investigating, I finally found the whereabout of this person. After contacting his office, I received a call from his wife on Monday. Today I got my tiller back.

Understand I am not overly upset. Unfortunately I will not learn my lesson and will help other boaters where I can. But, I plan on building a spare tiller and will use that as my "loaner".

Just thought I'd let you know the outcome.

 

[Maine Sail]

Brian do tell...

What was his response? Why did he feel it perfectly acceptable to keep your spare tiller?

Glad you got it back!!

 

[Brian D]

He gave no excuse...

Nor did I ask for one. I kept the conversation friendly and short.

 

[Paul Brinkley]

Brian- Glad you got your tiller back- also glad the experience didn't make you bitter-

you'll live longer this way! ;D I'm sure there are others you can help, and let's hope they treat you better. -Paul

 

[letterman]

typical

Loaned my brother a chipper-shredder...months ago. He called and asked when I was going to come pick it up (I delivered it to his house-an hours drive away) because he had no room for his new Harley.
Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking.

 

[Ross]

Letterman, Some people prosper by stealing time from other people

If you and I worked side by side and I saw you heading for the copier and I asked you if you would do me a favor and run a couple of copies for me, I could continue working while you did some of my work. I then would be more productive than you and might get a bigger raise than you because while you were the nice guy I got more work done. *pop