Dock Neighbor - Doesn't like to Follow the Rules

skolbe

skolbe

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2006
3,549
St. Louis, MO
Boat Info
320 Sundancer, Zodiac 290 Wave Inflatable Tohatsu 6HP, Boston Whaler 130 Sport
Engines
350 Mag V-Drive - Kohler 5ecd
I was down this weekend cleaning the boat & dewinterizing - the boat was filthy after being unused for the winter. Our marina has covered slips. So I had started the boat after dewinterizing and let it run in the slip for about 15 minutes - everything seemed to look good. - So - then I started washing everything and a friend came over and started talking as I am washing everything - I can hear the carbon monoxide detector beeping - not like a low battery - but beeping. Look over and realized my neighbor with a houseboat is grilling with a propane grill in the slip on his boat. Our marina doesn't allow open flames in the slips - you can use an electric grill only on the docks otherwise you need to run up to a paved area. I didn't say anything - because my friend was there.

But last year - all of their stuff (dockbox, stairs they built to get on their boat) was on my finger in the slip - to the point - I couldn't get past it all. I said something - they said - sorry - then never moved it - so then I talked to marina management and they said something to them - but - these guys on the dock told everyone how unreasonable I am. I have been in the marina for 10 years. This guy recently moved in at the end of last season. I get a little tired of folks that play dumb and then get irritated when you ask them to follow the rules. My vent for the day.
 
Sorry, next time i'll offer you one of my hamburgers.
 
Report him again but ask that they take a walk down the slip and see for themselves the propane. Then let the manager deal with it.

Second option, leave a note "from the management" stating they will have their lease revoked if they continue to run the propane stove. Then leave the note with a contact number on the bottom with the managers number on it. When they call to complain, they will actually be turning themselves in... :thumbsup:
 
Sometimes you just need to have "the Conversation" and tell them. It's easiest when they first become your neighbor. Sometimes, handing the guy and beer and shaking his hand while saying this breaks the ice. If you can introduce yourselves to all your neighbors(especially the closest in proximity ones) and "know people", you can jab in your thoughts to them before they violate the rules.
You can say, " Yeah the last guy who was there always had his dock box in the way and 'didn't get it' and was grilling with propane when you're not supposed to."
That'll drop the clue you don't like it. Now you'll have have management do it or make the comment yourself.

You're in the "Show me state", show him.
 
or you could scream STOP GRILLING ON THE DOCK OR YOU WILL BLOW US UP YOU MORAN!

Just an idea.
 
Just curious. I know many local marinas prohibit alcohol consumption according to their bylaws, but I couldn't tell you the last time I cruised by and actually saw people abiding by that rule.

I guess some management companies turn a 'blind eye' to certain rules because they've never bothered to change them.

Doug
 
Our marina had a big fire 12 years ago that destroyed some boats. I know there are many rules that are not abided by. I am not a big fan of open flames - 8 feet from my boat.
 
I think I pissed off my neighbor over the weekend. I was having a little party on my boat and my garbage bag was full, so I moved it up to the dock, just in front of my dock box, so the wind wouldn’t blow it in the water. I was going to take it to the garbage dumpster when we were leaving for dinner (which was in 20 minutes.)

Before we left, my neighbor at the end of the dock comes walking by with 2 dogs barking at us and he was pulling a wagon. As he went passed us, the wagon wheel caught the water spicket on the dock just behind me and broke it off. (pvc pipe). My friend and I went up to try to help and see if it could be fixed and my friend heard him pass a comment to the dock master about me having my garbage bag blocking the path. The next morning he and his wife walked right by me without even looking at me.

My wife told me not to worry about it. She said the garbage bag was small and he had plenty of room to get by, but he was distracted with the 2 dogs.

So what do you think?


P1030045.jpg
 
douglee25 said:
Just curious. I know many local marinas prohibit alcohol consumption according to their bylaws, but I couldn't tell you the last time I cruised by and actually saw people abiding by that rule.

I guess some management companies turn a 'blind eye' to certain rules because they've never bothered to change them.

Doug
Click to expand...

Hanging out at the dock without alcohol? :wow:

It sounds like one of those rules that are only enforced if there is a problem.
 
Sometimes that "clutter" that blocks the walkways disappears late at night.....as long as it's not something that floats.
 
skolbe said:
...So I had started the boat after dewinterizing and let it run in the slip for about 15 minutes...I can hear the carbon monoxide detector beeping

But last year - all of their stuff (dockbox, stairs they built to get on their boat) was on my finger in the slip...
Click to expand...

Could your CO detector been going off from running the boat for 15 min in the covered slip? How did your dock neighbors like the exhaust your boat was generating for 15 minutes?

Do you have exclusive use of one of the fingers? Are the boats all assigned the finger to port or starboard? I'm surprised you would get assigned a finger that is between your and a neighbor's boat. Maybe he thought it was his finger.
 
Call the local Fire Marshall and inquire with the USCG. The Underwriters of the Marinas Ins. Co. also would love to know about this. As for trash on the walkway, convenient for you a hazard to others. The result proves this. Al W.
 
It's always hard to approach people with disagreement or complaint, but unfortunately, the manner that it is dealt with sometimes becomes more important that the message itself. Be honest, open, friendly, but let your message be clear.

I had a couple of new neighbors last year that were dropping the f-bomb in front of (not to) my kids. I basically apologized in advance if it seems that I'm too prudish, but we needed the language to stop in front of the kids. I also let them know that I too struggle at home (truth) to keep the language in line and if they could help.

Now, with the grill.... I would have approached them, said hi and let them know that it is the rule of the marina that they don't open flame on the docks and arguably, it is a pretty good rule. That being said, I would take over a couple of "hotdogs" or "patties" and asked them since it won't be happening again, you would like to take advantage of the one time tastiness and ask them to grill up for you.

As far as the finger, let them know that their stuff is getting in the way of docking and walking. You need it moved!! Be nice but clear.

In short, always be "nice" and clear. Either "Pussifooting" or being "pissy and angry" will not get you anywhere. If they turn out to be @#$oles, then don't waste your time and THEN talk with management/marina to keep things under control. If you have 10 years there, then you are in a great position with the marina and your neighbors to make things happen.

No worries. "I'm also not a fan of running engines at the docks for an extended length of time". : )
 
Last edited:
Time to move to Polestar! Which harbor are you in Scott?
 
JuliaValentine said:
Could your CO detector been going off from running the boat for 15 min in the covered slip? How did your dock neighbors like the exhaust your boat was generating for 15 minutes?

Do you have exclusive use of one of the fingers? Are the boats all assigned the finger to port or starboard? I'm surprised you would get assigned a finger that is between your and a neighbor's boat. Maybe he thought it was his finger.
Click to expand...

We are assigned the port finger. My point was after mentioning something nicely - he still doesn't move his stuff... I honestly wouldn't have cared - if the home made steps hadn't taken up the end of the finger - so I couldn't get to my front cleat.

I am not as uptight as Vince's neighbor. We all learn as you go. I am at the Yacht Club - heck my father-in-law is 2 slips over from you - he probably breaks more rules than anyone :)

It had been 45 minutes since I ran the boat. It was definitely the grill. Shortly after they stopped it quit going off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,247
Messages
1,429,215
Members
61,124
Latest member
hamcfeather
Back
Top