Am I out of line ?

As owner and driver I always snap directions to kids whether their parents are in the boat or not. I believe it is my right to control passengers. PFD and stay seated. If they get too loud, they get told. I am not beyond asking/telling a parent the rules. I don't mind babies in the boat for a short period but they must be held on the passengers seat by their parent. Have fun

Agreed. I'm the same way in my boat. when you're driving a boat, you're the captain, and will end up responsible for the safety of these people should something go wrong. Stand your ground, sir.

[bsloop]

So I have a very good friend who gets pissed that I wont let him bring his 15 month old kid on my boat. Meanwhile they have bought a party barge and have brought him out a few times.

While out this past weekend I watched the kid hit the deck at least 3 times from sudden throttle ups and downs...they just let him walk around or do what every, I not either of his parents stopped him from going over the rail once and stopped him from eating numerous minnows...

BTW these are the same parents who took him fishing in a 15 ft. jon boat fishing when he was 3 months old...the lake was riddled with stumps and trees. the carreir slid all over the place and a friend had to catch it from going overboard once..

Am I crazy folks or should I stand my ground ?

I think you are a little anal and thus may be prone to exaggeration. Also sound like many of the super protective parents that have to be in control of every aspect of a child's life; prevent every booboo, rush to coddle and think every play must be structured to learning or advancement in some way.

Nothing inherently wrong with a 15mo old on the boat. In general, they are less trouble than a 4yr old that is curious and strong enough to get into everything. Food choice would be the only real consideration. Foods that can be eaten in chunks (fruits, cheese etc) are not much mess, avoid the carb items that crumble like chips or flavor powder coated. Kid is 15mo and should not really be into that much snack crap anyway. Perfectly fine to ask guests to refrain from certain behaviors.
PLEASE let people know when invited if you are insanely anal like some posting on this thread.
NO food or NO drinks for an afternoon of "fun" is not much fun. Its one thing if you leave the boat house to make a quick run, its another if we are going to be out for the afternoon.

If they have their own boat for "home base" there should be no problem with them as guests for a quick run around or board session, everyone can live with out food for an hour and water is perfectly fine to drink.

If not underway, let them roam, not going to hurt much. Underway, use some care, especially if rough but if they are just between the couches there is not much harm if they fall (they will fall regardless)

YES, it is your boat and your choice. YES, you are anal and probably out of line. Your current actions will probably lead to friendship strain. Have a guy to guy talk aside from the wife and try to find some common ground. That is what guys do, not act like b!tches.

not wanting to have to deal with kids is why we dont have any...

I think this is the real issue. I have friends this way too, both never had them and those DONE with them.
I am fine with that, just let me know. We will adjust accordingly by either avoiding with child or keeping a tight leash.

[john jones]

You know the right answer. Do what your gut tells you..

[Coffeyman76]

Wow no food or libations for the driver....

Ouch. I respect ya for the drinking thing I suppose, just not sure I could pull that off. Cheers!

There are different "times" on the water too. Packed boat, kids, watersports (at least the fast ones!), crazy busy lake, etc. is different than the sandbar, raft up or the evening cruise with the friends. Its all about what you are doing.

I don't know about you, but I get in the water and I get out and the food is happening. Start doing some water sports or actual swimming (not standing in 4 feet of water) it is grub time automatically. I could not ban food from my boat (types of food yes).

[Mark rsa2au]

We have kids of all ages on my boat all the time, and I love seeing the whole family having fun together in the sun...BUT there are basic rules that must be followed, or the child is returned to shore and left there. And if that means a parent must stay then so be it, you only have to enforce it once and they wont do it again, trust me!

It is my boat, and I am the skipper therefor ALL people on the boat are my responsability, not just because of the legal / litigation issues, but because NOBODY wants to be the skipper that hurts a child (or any one for that matter). I make this clear to my mates in the nicest way possible before they come boating, especialy non boaters.
"Will you still be my friend when you/your child gets hurt/ maimed /killed on my boat? No? Thought so! I would like to keep you as my friend so can we play safe? Yes? Cool, here are the rules:

1.PFD on children before you get in the boat, no pfd no go, no exceptions, not ever!
2.Sit down when under way or when I let you know we are going. There are no seatbelts, no airbags, no brakes, and 310hp.. , and I cant see underwater. Sit or stay on shore.
3. No Screaming.. just cause I get grumpy when you do. But scream your A$$ off if you are in trouble so we are clear you need help.
4. No food on the boat, unless you are willing to clean it... and as I clean it all the time I am exempt.
5. I will not drink alcohol if I am driving, not a drop, not ever in 20 years of boat ownership and not about to change. ( I can catch up quickly afterwards if I want). If you want to drink alcohol you are not doing any watersports.

I have never had anyone get hurt in my boat and plan to keep it that way. If my mates disagree (and nobody ever has cause it is common sense!) then they dont get invited.
Play hard / Play safe!

[Coffeyman76]

I will say there is a big difference in a 15 mo, screaming baby or toddler and a "kid". A kid in my mind is a fun happy usually loud 4 to 8 year old jumping into the water, climbing back out, eating a snack, tubing, boarding, grabbing the water gun and all that other crazy stuff they do - just loving life and enjoying the water. Hell I do it too usually...

Yes the seats get wet. Yes, probably a flavored water (great drink btw, no color, kids love em - ie no stains) or beer gets spilled (beer by me). Yes a goldfish ends up under a seat and yes a grape gets stepped on. That's what $400 an oz cleaners, waxes, sauces, etc. are for!!

I could never see not enjoying the boat with kids as long as it is safe, which is pretty simple really. When in motion, sit on your @$$ and wear your vest. Hard to screw that up

[petermegan]

As owner and driver I always snap directions to kids whether their parents are in the boat or not. I believe it is my right to control passengers. PFD and stay seated. If they get too loud, they get told. I am not beyond asking/telling a parent the rules. I don't mind babies in the boat for a short period but they must be held on the passengers seat by their parent. Have fun

[TxsRiverRat]

Make sure the hook is out first.

LMAO!

[pap]

No way i let a parent who is not 100% attentive to THEIR child on my boat. I don't need either the liability (they WILL sue you if something were to happen and hospital bills happen) or the sleepless nights thinking "if only..."

Tough love, tough love.....

[Snipe]

eating a live minnow never hurt anyone

Make sure the hook is out first.

[TxsRiverRat]

eating a live minnow never hurt anyone

[02ProstarSammyD]

its just a recipe for a fight anyways. Lets say the kid puts a hole in some vinyl........there comes a fight. Lets say the kid eats something off the floor........

too many possibilities

[Snipe]

Then don't dole out advice - simply say why YOU'RE uncomfortable with their child on your boat. It's about you, not about their parenting practices.

I know I just posted, but Frank is right on track. Don't feel bad because someone else is inconsiderate to your feelings. If they don't respect your feelings; are they REALLY your GOOD friends? It sure is easier to tell someone that's not in your position, but I'm not so sure I would have a problem being up front with a " good friend" if it meant feeling the safety of a kid. Or an adult for that matter.

[02ProstarSammyD]

MCOCD mixes weird with your own kids
MCOCD does not mix at all with other peoples kids

yup. my boat paid for with my money. my rules. period.

Thats the rule for me period. If I don't want you screwing with stuff then don't do it. If you change my favorite song you are subject to a season ban

[FrankSchwab]

In this case it has been hard to hold my tongue, only have managed to do so since it is a close friend and it is their kid. I have no kids so I dont think I should be doling out advice...

Then don't dole out advice - simply say why YOU'RE uncomfortable with their child on your boat. It's about you, not about their parenting practices.