Invited Out On A Friend’s Boat? Some Things To Keep In Mind

As we all know, many anglers are boat-less. Let’s face it: there are better investments out there. From storage and maintenance to a truck to pull the boat to state fees and the recent boating license, I can see why so many anglers choose not to have one. Just because you don’t have a boat doesn’t mean you can’t team up with a friend or neighbor who does have a boat. It’s a relationship that can be mutually beneficial. If you’re invited aboard a friend’s boat for the first time, it can be a little weird. Here’s a few things to keep in mind that will (hopefully) get you invited back for future trips.

Before/During The Trip
There are lots of arrangements to take care of ahead of time. Coordinate with the boat owner to make sure you know where you are meeting and at what time. DON’T BE LATE! The people I fish with know that I am always early and ready to go. Be the same way. Other things to consider:
Before the trip is a good time to make food arrangements. If you bring food, have enough to share with the other folks on the boat.
Make sure the boat owner has a PFD (life jacket) for you. If not, bring one. If the boat is stopped and ticketed for not having enough safety equipment, it will be the boat owner who pays.
Do not bring uninvited guests. This includes dogs. Clear it with the boat owner first.
Ask about what gear you need to bring and don’t bring other stuff. A boat cluttered with extra poles, tackle boxes and coolers is a hassle.
Offer to get the bait. Find out what kind, what size and ask where to get it. Find out if it needs to be thawed or frozen. Bring enough for everyone on board.
Be considerate with trash and dropped food/drink. Even though a boat owner might not admit it, we really hate to see potato chips and soda spilled everywhere.
Help with the launch and retrieval of the boat.
Last, and definitely not least, don’t dictate what time you have to be off the water. If you’re going out, assume its all day. It is really annoying to have someone on the boat who wants to get back to the dock by 5:00 so they can catch a movie. This is very poor etiquette. We understand that other things need to get done. But don’t accept the invitation unless you can stay out.

I Probably Don’t Need To “Chip In” (He Was Going Fishing Anyway)
There are many, many costs associated with owning and operating a boat. The price of fuel seems to be going up every day. There are launch and parking fees to be paid. Offer to pay your share or more. To feel that someone was “going anyway” and so you don’t need to chip in is a great way not to be invited back. The boat owner may or may not accept your money, but make sure to pitch in.

When I’m trolling the river in the fall, I see many boats with just one person aboard. With so many folks out there crazy about fishing, surely there’s someone out there to help split the cost of fuel and help you clean up afterward. There’s a lot of room in this topic for a future article, so feel free to drop me a line and let me know how you operate, boat owner and boat-less alike.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)