Had An Interesting Situation At My Club Recently

[Old Vet]

Thanks guys. After talking with the Father......I saw how disappointed his 3 girls were that they lost the whole weekend tubing with their new toy they were so looking forward to. I grabbed one of our clubs small boats and took them all for a little spin around the bay.....not very fast or very far...but I got 'em wet anyway. :thumbsup:

I really like the idea of a mentoring program for new boaters. We don't see many but every now and again I guess one will show up...as happened here this time. I've suggested it to our clubs exec and my guess is they're going to make it happen.

 

[maschall]

Great idea having a mentoring program. 3 yrs ago I bought my first boat, a 320 DA. Yes, a 35' boat as a first boat...! No problem I thought. I spent 28 yrs in the Navy driving destroyers and frigates thoroughout the world. BOY WAS I WRONG. I understood the physics, wind, current, etc. but scared myself s***less the first year or so. Fortunately I knew eonough to know I didn't know enough. I asked for advice, but you never know who you're getting advice from, i.e. how much do they really know. A mentor program with qualified folks would have been great!

 

[Old Vet]

Haven't seen this guy since he pulled his boat......it's still sitting at a marina...presumably awaiting repair. Been quite a while now...don't know what sort of problems there may be with that boat. The guy is in the Military and word on the street is he's getting posted this summer.....so don't know if/when we might see him back. So he may not get any "mentoring"....but at least our Club should be better prepared with a program for the next time we get a brand new boater.

 

[penguin]

Awesome to hear that he came back asking for help! That is a win-win for everyone involved. Also, good job on your part to cut through the newbie smart-ass comments and really help him out.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Great idea having a mentoring program. 3 yrs ago I bought my first boat, a 320 DA. Yes, a 35' boat as a first boat...! No problem I thought. I spent 28 yrs in the Navy driving destroyers and frigates thoroughout the world. BOY WAS I WRONG. I understood the physics, wind, current, etc. but scared myself s***less the first year or so. Fortunately I knew eonough to know I didn't know enough. I asked for advice, but you never know who you're getting advice from, i.e. how much do they really know. A mentor program with qualified folks would have been great!

When I have new guests on board I always show them where life jackets are, how the heads work etc. I usually close by telling Navy vets to not touch anything.