Snacks on board ?

[bscott]

I allow snacks on the boat. I'm going to clean and vacuum the boat whether they eat snacks or not. If my crew is not happy, then they will not want to be out on the boat. Nothing worse than a grumpy crew.

[jimmyj]

might as well tell people to "dry off on the platform so you dont get water in the boat" too. ohh yeah, "dont step on the seams either" this is always good stuff.

to each their own. people who come out with me know my boat. they know how much it means to me. most of them appreciate it and care for it almost as much as i do. they know im fairly particular. as saying such, they can do whatever they want in it.

i guess kids can be a different story. the guys we boat with have kids. they teach their kids to be careful in the boat. they keep an eye out when food is involved. something get spilled, they clean it up. little nachos on the uphostery. nothing a wet towel cant wipe down in 20 seconds. different strokes for different folks.

i do know one thing. its not fun at all to boat with an extremely anal person.

[Chexi]

I'm pretty anal about my boat and the upholstery. I do allow snacks on drinks. I have even eaten cheetos and doritos on my boat, I just make sure I wipe my hands off well. I give people a 30 second speech when they first get in the boat about how to behave. I also pick my friends well. So far, so good. I have not had any kids on the boat yet though.

BTW, drying off on the platform is a good idea. Nobody likes to sit in someone else's pool of water. It's also a good way to reduce your chance for a mildew problem. Finally, the people who dry off are usually much happier doing so than sitting in their own pool of water. The trick is getting other people to hand them towels quickly.

[AirTool]

Funny about all the water discussions.

Here in Hot, Texas....we encourage water in the boat.

I've got two hand size microfiber sponges procured just for dipping and cooling off the seats with muddy, died lake water. During mid day, dry carpet or vinyl is unbearable and, in some cases, dangerous.

They also come in handy to wipe down any clay that is brought in.

[behindpropellers]

Wow.

You guys are anal. Shave the dog and take it in the boat with your kids. The dog will clean up their food mess.

I bet you worry about how many hours you put on your boat too?

Sounds like you sacrifice fun for cleanliness?

[Chexi]

Wow.

You guys are anal. Shave the dog and take it in the boat with your kids. The dog will clean up their food mess.

I bet you worry about how many hours you put on your boat too?

Sounds like you sacrifice fun for cleanliness?

Depends. Whose fun? I have spent hundreds of hours recovering my vinyl, upgrading my stereo, installing a fresh air exhaust, installing an automatic ballast system, etc. None of that was fun for me, but everyone else who gets to ride in the boat gets to have fund due to all that hard work. Cleaning the boat also is not fun for me, but it has to be done. However, it is a lot better to only have to do a light spot clean after each use than a full hard-core cleaning, especially when my boat is an hour and fifteen minute drive from my house. I don't think it's too much to ask or expect to reduce the "fun" level of my guests by 1 point in order to increase the fun level of the person who makes it all happen by considerably more than 1 point. That said, most of my guests have great boat etiquette and help with the spot cleaning.

I am in Texas, and have not had a problem with the carpet getting too hot, but I have with the vinyl. I've taken to keeping extra towels on the boat to put on the seats when they get too hot. I also don't mind getting water in the boat on a really hot and sunny day (and agree that getting some in can be a savior at times), so long as it is not right before we are about to leave.

[AirTool]

I bet you worry about how many hours you put on your boat too?

YES ! ! ! I'm worried about how many hours I'm putting on the boat.

NOT ENOUGH ! ! !

[SkiTower]

YES ! ! ! I'm worried about how many hours I'm putting on the boat.

NOT ENOUGH ! ! !

Agreed! Haven't used my boat in two weeks and it's killing me!

[bscott]

Depends. Whose fun? I have spent hundreds of hours recovering my vinyl, upgrading my stereo, installing a fresh air exhaust, installing an automatic ballast system, etc. None of that was fun for me, but everyone else who gets to ride in the boat gets to have fund due to all that hard work. Cleaning the boat also is not fun for me, but it has to be done.

I find that doing anything with the boat, whether it be on the water or in the garage/driveway is fun for me. It sure beats being at work.

[Chexi]

Yes, it probably does beat being at work, but working on a boat in a storage garage when the temp is 100 degrees plus really is not fun, especially when it's 70 miles from your house, so you can't just take a break whenever you want. I'd also rather spend more time on the water than cleaning the boat, because that is definitely more fun.

[AirTool]

Yes, it probably does beat being at work...

but doesn't pay as well.

....but working on a boat in a storage garage when the temp is 100 degrees plus really is not fun, .....

100? ...., you must be working at night

It amazes me how nice it can be outside ....and how deathly hot it can get in the storage barn. I even have doors at both ends I can open for flow through air and it is still unbearable.

[Chexi]

Lol, I said 100 degress plus!

Yeah, I think I got heat stroke last time, and that was with a fan blowing on me and plenty of cold water and gatorade. If only the ballast install had not taken about 2 months longer than planned... but it's done now and works, so it's time to ride!

[CradGen2]

I use to be anal about the boat and snacks. I've let up some. All the vinyl get cleaned after each use. First Fantasik them light coat of 303. Carpet every 2 weeks. I don't let the dog come, but she doesn't like it anyways. We don't drink soda or fruity drinks, so beer and water only.

As for the comment about walking on the seams, yes, I don't like people walking on the vinyl. I will say something then. There are plenty of places to walk, that don't include vinyl.

Oh I forget to mention, I put fresh white towels down over the carpet each day. 2 reasons, 1. Dirt off the carpet and 2. keeps the carpet coolers. More for the second reason.

[jimmyj]

i was being sarcastic about the seams.

we had a guy with a 'bu that would let people have it for walking on the seams. heres my opinion. if the seams cant handle it, then its poor materials and craftsmanship. dont care if its in a Nautique, Masterdisaster, or 1957 open bow float and go.

[Chexi]

I agree, it is poor craftsmanship, or perhaps poor design or both. Nevertheless, it is a rare nautique over 8 years old that does not have the bolster seams ripped on the rear seats.

To date I have not pulled my rear center cushion, and I have let people come in and out of the boat without having a seams discussion, but I keep telling myself to pull out that center cushion, especially when I don't have many people in the boat anyway (i.e., no one is sitting there). On the otherhand, I did not staple the bolster pieces super tight when I redid those seats. I figured a little extra play at the weak point was probably a good idea. Finally, the rear seat bottoms are one of the easier pieces to re-upholster should it ever be necessary. The big risk here is color fading / matching when the time comes to redo those seats... hopefully many many years in the future.