Alcohol and Boating

Do you drink when boating

  • NO....NEVER

    Votes: 44 23.8%

  • 1 or 2 for the day

    Votes: 62 33.5%

  • 1 or 2 per hour

    Votes: 36 19.5%

  • Yes....doesn't everbody!

    Votes: 43 23.2%
  • Total voters
    185
osd9

osd9

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
4,874
MidAtlantic
Boat Info
2003 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126-TA w/ ZF 80-IV
I was curious how others here feel about drinking alcohol while boating. I like a good cold beer as much as the next guy. But personally when I'm behind the wheel and responsible for my crew I don't drink....period. Even if I'm on the hook with my wife. She can have all the wine she likes, but if I'm needed to move the boat in a hurry, for whatever the reason, I don't want to stumble up to the decks. At the dock, to me, is another story. I'll drink with the rest of you!

I'll be a bit hypocritical (and honest) and admit, then we go out to dinner by car, on occasion, I will have ONE (no more) social drink when we sit down with appetizers. By time we've finished appetizers, dinner and dessert/coffee, I feel that the ONE is through my system.

What about you guys?
 
I'm usually on the boat with my wife and 2 small kids. I will never drink more then if I was driving a car; so if ever stopped, I'm confident that I am sober. Exception to this is when on the hook for the night; but then I'm not driving. And if an emergency arises, I can easily call for help. The one thing I do really enjoy is drinking a beer WHILE driving the boat. I just don't drink four of them while driving...
 
I’m between choice #2 and #3. I voted #2, 1 or 2 for the day because 1 or 2 per hour is way to high. Over a 12 hours day that’s 12-24 drinks.

I agree with Keith, no more then I would if driving. If I fee it (vertigo or basically feel the effects 0f the alcohol) I would not drive a boat or car.
 
Been alcohol free since '74. Before that, when boating, we would only break out the alcohol when tied up or anchored. When the boat was tied up, that is.
 
In the 6 years of owning a boat I have brought alcohol on the boat twice......Consumed a total of 5 beers boht times.
Sometimes I think I would like to enjoy a few more but for reasons stated above, I don't
Furthermore, for myself, a dady on the water involves putting the boat on the trailer and further drving the crew home.
 
I am also somewhere between #2 and #3. I don't drink while driving, but will certainly enjoy some beverages at anchor during "boaters happy hour". Not in excess, even if we're planning to spend the night on the hook.

Based on what I see in Chesapeake anchorages, there is plenty of drinking going on, often way too much. I was in Fairlee Creek on Saturday when an afternoon storm interrupted the happy hour. Apparently 40 kts winds, hail, and tide shift don't mix well with an anchorage crowded with imbibing boaters. All kinds of boats dragging, raft ups getting banged up, waverunners drifting, guy swimming after his waverunner - glad I was in a condition to weigh my anchor and move further into the creek and away from the mayhem.
 
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aquadancer said:
.......I was in Fairlee Creek on Saturday when an afternoon storm interrupted the happy hour. Apparently 40 kts winds, hail, and tide shift don't mix well with an anchorage crowded with imbibing boaters. All kinds of boats dragging, raft ups getting banged up, waverunners drifting, guys swimming after his waverunner - glad I was in a condition to weigh my anchor and move further into the creek and away from the mayhem.
Click to expand...


Now imagine you're on the hook and a storm rolls through at 1 or 2 AM and you've just finished a bottle (or two) of wine with the admiral!!!!!
 
Depends on the activity.

If it's just Kim & I then yes I will have a few beers throughout the day. But I know my limit and whether it's a boat or an auto I don't drive impaired period.

If it's my son or daughter & five of their friends for a day of tubing not a drop.

If it's my MIL I try to get hammered as quickly as I can.
 
None at all. BOAT/US did a controlled test several years ago. They had some people handle a boat on the water both on plane and dockside. Even after just one or two drinks, the dockside performance was measurably worse. None of the test subjects could handle drinking without showing the effects of impairment, which started with just one or two drinks.

There is no safe alcohol consumption limit while boating.

Best regards,
Frank
 
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We have four kids, so 'getting drunk' doesn't happen too often. Over the course of 8 hours on the water, I might consume a *maximum* of 3 or 4 beers. Usually its 2. Never underway, only while rafted up. We have a bowrider, so, when evening rolls around, we put our boat back on a trailer and head to the campsite... Now *that* is another story on how many may be consumed. :)

We also have a 250HP Jet Ski, being hammered and trying to hop on one of those isn't too smart.

What is also nice, is my wife doesn't drink on the water. So, if for some outrageous reason I felt too impaired to drive the boat, she'll be fully capable.
 
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M I L = Mother in Law...
M I L F is a ...er...well....not a Mother in Law


I'm with others.....2 is the limit, all day...just because I'm a lightweight anyways..:lol:
 
As the other said, drinking and driving is a no-no, whether in a boat or a road vehicle. I also liked the comment about having to tow the boat home after a day on the lake. For those of us who trailer, that should be another reason not to drink out on the water.

As a father, it's my responsibilty to act as a proper role model for my children. IMHO, drinking behind ANY wheel with children around is wrong. And since we're always on the boat together...........

That being said, plenty of you have the ability to spend an evening, or even a week on the water. If the boating is done for the day, and the anchor is down, I don't think there's anything wrong with sitting back, watching the sunset, and enjoying a few refreshments with friends and family. In fact, I couldn't think of a better way to end an evening.......

Well..........I could think of better................ah, forget it..........;)

Paul
 
First Born said:
mother-in-law :smt043
Click to expand...

Good one, I'm just lucky I've got a good MIL so did not put drinking and mother-in-law together:grin:

Hey I should get a couple good point for saying I got a good mother-in-law:lol::smt043:lol:
 
Almost never when I'm underway, if any, maybe 1 beer.

Tied up at the dock for the night...thats another story......
 
1 or 2 for the day, and of that not more than 1 per hour. I'll have my drink early, so by the time I pull up anchor it has been a couple of hours since the last one.
 
Presentation said:
I will not post “MILF =” then attach a photo of Greg’s wife.
I will not post “MILF =” then attach a photo of Greg’s wife.
.........I will not post “MILF =” then attach a photo of Greg’s wife.
Click to expand...
....really?
 
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