Would You Loan Your Boat To A Pal?
Alex Watson’s amazing special U22 with factory custom windshield and 25 Sportsman mid seat custom configuration – Yes thats Alex’s dock. Part of it
Recently Alex Watson loaned out one of his boats to a pal for three weeks. Would you do the same thing? Now, we have borrowed a boat of two from pals, and I will add as a person on the receiving end of such a generous loan. It’s nerve racking, and even as much as I care and try and take care of others stuff. It’s never the same. There are little rituals that I do that others may not.
jimmy has loaned us Termite Terror for weeks at a time. Before we expanded the fleet.
It’s not that I don’t care. I do, I over care. Even will try and fix things. But are others the same? Loaning a classic boat can have its special issues. Dock dings, odd engine issues that you know how to fix with a twist here and there can turn into bigger issues.
I take off my shoes on Jimmy’s boats.
Trying to explain over the phone that when the boat stops like that, its normal, and a slight adjustment of the idle screw is needed. That’s the little brass screw on the carb that is… OH, never mind, I will be there in a bit. It’s nerve racking enough to have your own boat out there. So what would you do if a close pal asked? Or like an idiot, you offer to be nice and they say yes!
Alex Watson’s pride – off with a pal! What could possibly go wrong?
Another look at Alex’s dock. Yes, TWO 25 Sportsman, Yes a Grand Prix, Yes a XK-18 and Cavalier not pictured, XK 19 –
I haveca very select few friends I would still sleep at night if they borrowed a boat. but let’s keep that between us if they know they might ask.
Ok…who got an Unsatisfactory on their Kindergarten Report Card under the “Shares” category? If they are a close pal…they certainly understand and probably share the same neurotic behavior anyway!
I loaned a boat to Paul H. once. The trailer and the boat both broke down, but that was expected.
The key is to have beat up boats of questionable value. Then, as long as it doesn’t sink or burn to the water line, no one loses any sleep.
I use the old rule of only loaning a boat or car to one who has successfully owned a similar boat or car. It will come back full of gas, with no scratches, and a renewed bond of friendship, trust, and a promise of future reciprocity.
I have borrowed (Termite Terror) and loaned boats. Funny thing is after using TT the fuel pump died, but I was not using it at that time.
Loaning out a Classic or Antique need to be a knowledgeable friend.
My rule of thumb is “If I can replace it I don’t mind using it, if I can’t write a check to repair or replace whatever might go wrong I don’t borrow it.”
The character Polonius counsels his son Laertes before he embarks on his visit to Paris. He says, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; / For loan oft loses both itself and friend.”
Only 1 friend that I can think of and I’d want to take him out first. The rest all have Clorox bottles. So does he but I would still trust him.
ugh….that would be a NO!
John in Va.
I have loaned my boat lots of times. The pontoon boat.
The only one I would let some one borrow doesnt float,,so they will ask only once
I have a few select friends that I loan my boats out to and have never been disappointed. I always know that anytime I need said “Friends” Steelcraft for any occasion such as wake surfing, jet ski target practice and general cruising, I know it is available!
Ha!
Ever since a buddy flipped my Boston Whaler when I was a kid, I am always more than happy to take anyone out for a ride and even let them drive, but no one is taking out one of my boats without me unless its an immediate family member.
My password is “Bosco.”
I wouldn’t loan you my mistress so with that in mind, I ain’t gonna loan you my boat.
(In my case, they happen to be the same thing.)
I’d loan out my wife but not my boat. In the case of the former, you’d be worse off for wear and tear and return is optional.
Lush Life is a fantastic and very special Chris-Craft, it’s great to see it on the cover shot today. I have very fond memories of touring through the Les Cheneaux Islands in Lush Life with my friend Alex a few years back. That experience perfectly fit the boats name…
My boat is difficult to start if you don’t know how to work the throttle and the choke the right way. So I always say if you can get it started you can borrow it. So far it hasn’t left the dock without myself or my dad (the other half owner), And Incase you were wondering I do play well with others 🙂
Had I known Alex was feeling so generous I would have stopped in. If you pass his place, take 134 to the end, get on the ferry, take 134 to the end again, keep going another 15 miles, you end up here. Beautiful ride.
Drummond Island, right? Spent several summers up there with my grandparents in a camping trailer. Good times!
Loaning your boat is a little like loaning money to family…only loan it if you can do without it, don’t expect it back, and be grateful if it all comes back in one piece.
But yes, there are a handful of people I’d let take any of my boats and not give it a second thought. If I have to think twice, then the boat doesn’t leave my possession.