Alcohol And Boating 2024

bassless reply :

Do you consume alcohol while on your boat?

MIbassin reply :

IBTL!

bassless reply :

Is this a contentious topic? Why would it get locked?

MIbassin reply :

It may or may not get locked, some threads on this topic have been locked in the past.

bassless reply :

Gotcha. I didn't intend to start a problem. I'm just curious because I saw some boating accidents recently (as we tend to do going into the summer) and it got me to wondering how many folks regularly drink while operating a boat.

joeblowwwww reply :

ha,,,, like to see where this is gonna go. these kind of things are always entertaining ( you do sound sincere bassless i'm not messing with ya)

Fishes in trees reply :

I don't get ignorant with it, but I think that a beer or two during a fishing trip is a good thing.

Dyerbassman reply :

I choose not to for a few reasons. One, I feel like it will make me a lazy fisherman. And if I'm drinking on the boat, I still have to drive home at some point, too. I'd rather crack open some after I get back.

slonezp reply :

Interesting question for a guy with 11 posts

jbsoonerfan reply :

I answered yes because I'm not the boater, just the passenger. My boater never drinks. If I was the boater I wouldn't either. Wasn't sure if you just wanted responses from the boater or anyone who was in the boat.

bassless reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 7:53 AM, slonezp said:
Interesting question for a guy with 11 posts

At what number of posts should I have waited for? 30? 50? 3,000?

Let me know the appropriate number and I'll repost at a time that suits you better.

slonezp reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 9:33 AM, bassless said:

At what number of posts should I have waited for? 30? 50? 3,000?

Let me know the appropriate number and I'll repost at a time that suits you better.

I just found it interesting that someone comes to a bass fishing website and before you even cut your teeth, you are asking, and polling, about drinking and boating. Seems a bit odd.

bassless reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 9:42 AM, slonezp said:
I just found it interesting that someone comes to a bass fishing website and before you even cut your teeth, you are asking, and polling, about drinking and boating. Seems a bit odd.

I've "cut my teeth" on fishing/boating/hunting over the past 20 years...don't figure I need to do anything special to talk about it online.

Long Mike reply :

At this time there is no reason to lock this thread. Because I dislike polls I will not participate in this one, other than to say, off the record so-to-speak, than I never drink while on the water.

slonezp reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 9:47 AM, bassless said:
I've "cut my teeth" on fishing/boating/hunting over the past 20 years...don't figure I need to do anything special to talk about it online.

So, why the interest in people drinking and boating? Surely you've seen people partaking in alcohol consumption AND sober boating over the last 20 years.

bassless reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 10:00 AM, slonezp said:
So, why the interest in people drinking and boating? Surely you've seen people partaking in alcohol consumption AND sober boating over the last 20 years.

Dude...I'll skip your inquisition. Stick around and you'll see other posts from me...some of which won't trip your paranoia meter.

Or maybe...just maybe...I'm a government sponsored internet bot that shows up un-announced to forums to ask questions some people find suspicious...maybe even...sinister.

JT Bagwell reply :

Bass boats are such powerful pieces of equipment that I never consume alcohol before or during operation.

I just wait until I get home.

Alonerankin2 reply :

What is it you hope to discover here on this topic?

Is this research for AA or something?

Long Mike reply :

If the man wants to start a poll then let him. Either participate or leave the thread, but do not start your own inquisition. Leave it to the Moderators to handle any infractions of the rules.

A-Jay reply :

Hand writing in that "Alcohol was a factor" on boating accident reports became so common -

That several years ago the form was revised to add a "Yes" or "No" check block.

A-Jay

MIbassyaker reply :

The response options are a little odd, since "Many Times", "Sometimes", and "Rarely" of course are also "Yes".

bassless reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 10:34 AM, MIbassyaker said:
The response options are a little odd, since "Many Times", "Sometimes", and "Rarely" of course are also "Yes".

Yeah...anytime you do a poll it's tough to give enough options without giving so many choices that it becomes cumbersome. I started with just "yes or no" but then I thought it might be better to have the ability to be a bit more descriptive. If I'd have thought it out better I'd have left the "yes" out in lieu of the others.

Making things even tougher to gauge is the fact that anyones response could change based on the period in which you asked the question. 15 years ago I'd have checked "sometimes"...but now I'd check "No".

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

if its there ill swallow a few but i never bring it on my own.and im anal about who is operating a boat or anything for that matter if im a passenger.all in all though bein on the water and drunk is a bad idea .i dont care who ya are, water is inherently dangerous and eventaully if u live by the sword you die by the sword

adam lancia reply :

I don't drive the boat so I have had one while on the water, two if we're out all day. I don't really get that secure feeling when the driver is pounding back drinks as if it's a Saturday night and he's got a D.D. for the boat though...

papajoe222 reply :

I think you'll find that sport fishermen, as a group, are far less likely to consume alcohol while operating their boats than pleasure boaters. I, for one, would be interested to discover differently.

Anyone know of any surveys that ask specifically that?

Thornback reply :

It's a free country -- what ever that means

You want to have a cold beer while fishing that's fine with me. I don't allow alcohol on my boat because I go to fish and enjoy the wilderness. I also want to have as safe a trip as possible. Even the smallest amount of alcohol will dull your senses, slow your reaction time, impair your reasoning, and that somewhat reduces the afore mentioned reasons for me going fishing.

Hurricane reply :

Quit drinking 2 years ago...

scaleface reply :

I only drink when fishing buzzbaits , its part of the strategy .

Nice_Bass reply :

Almost always have beer on boat. Pretty easy to know what is safe and what is not and i have never understood the automatic assumption somone who drinks beer while fishing is somhow lazy or dangerous. Only a lazy person is lazy and a drunk person not acting safely.

corn-on-the-rob reply :

Beer is fine on the boat for passengers (in moderate amounts), maybe one or two for the boater but I wouldn't recommend it (for the boater).

When I say that it is fine, it comes with a massive stipulation. People who tend to get out of control or do stupid things when they drink because of some inherent lack of control or need for attention (you know the type) will not be getting more than a beer or two as a passenger in my boat.

I haven't been a boater long enough to have the situation come up; my father and I have never drank on our boat because that's not what we go out there for, like bagwell said, get home and get at it.

In summary, as long as control and safety are not compromised, it is fine by me.

frogflogger reply :

Attitudes have changed about alcohol and boats/fishing - years ago it wasn't much of an issue and many of us drank while fishing, but faster boats, more crowded waterways and terrible accidents changed mine and many others habits. I haven't drank while running a boat for many years.

BassMaster17 reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 11:58 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:
if its there ill swallow a few but i never bring it on my own.and im anal about who is operating a boat or anything for that matter if im a passenger.all in all though bein on the water and drunk is a bad idea .i dont care who ya are, water is inherently dangerous and eventaully if u live by the sword you die by the sword

your anal about who is operating a boat, i don't think i get what you mean

stkbassn reply :

I enjoy drinking and I enjoy fishing but I have never associated the two in any way. It might be a cliche' in a country song but I don't see it happening with serious fisherman. I've had two bass boats and I've never allowed alcohol on either. When I get my third boat it won't be any different. First of all I don't have time to drink when I'm bass fishing. Secondly, I fish a lot at night and drinking and boating don't mix in any way after dark. You need to be 100% at night for your sake and others. I would say the same for daytime fishing. So, no... I have had beers while riding around on a pleasure boat though, many times...the boat driver was not drinking.

Bass_Fanatic reply :

I've never even tasted alcohol, so I'd say no

SirSnookalot reply :

No for 2 main reasons. I'm too focused on fishing and I may have to drive the boat in case of an emergency.

Bankbeater reply :

I say no. Years ago we use to catfish from the boat and have a few while we were watching our lines. About 20 years ago we went down to LOZ during the summer to go after some bass. Right there I said no more in the boat.

BigSkyBasser reply :

I don't recon drinking and bass fishing really go along that well to be honest. If you're sitting on a sand bar at the local beach or river and fishing, that might be a different mood for a beer. Out on a boat I'm in a state that would never condone drinking. It's never crossed my mind out there.

scaleface reply :

yes .

Bassguytom reply :

I don't drink while on the boat and never really have. I just find it too much fun being out on the water and taking everything in while fishing or just cruising. Don't get me wrong I like to drink like a Viking at times and raise some Cain but not while on a boat. Beside I have seen too many boaters being towed by the state police or coast guard while in hand cuffs riding in their boat with the Orange life vest on to be made an example of. I also think the blood alcohol content level is lower on the water so like 2 beers puts you over the limit. That seems like waste of time to me.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 11:46 PM, BassMaster17 said:
your anal about who is operating a boat, i don't think i get what you mean

lol means im a ahole .i drive for a living and knock on wood i never had a crash and im pretty much a side seat driver and tell ppl how to drive lol in otherwords a pure A$$HOLE

Ski213 reply :

i don't drink when I am, or am going to be operating the boat. I treat it about the same as I would on the road. I enjoy boating and I enjoy responsible drinking. I think you can do both but I also know that even if you have one or two and get in an accident that's not your fault you're going to pay. Whether or not alcohol actually had anything to do with it so I do my drinking from the waters edge. Not judging anybody, just what I'm comfortable with.

RoLo reply :

Many moons ago, gin mills were on every corner and the bartender would knock the bar about every 3rd beer.

(for the youngsters, that means a free drink). Back then, no one even heard of a DUI, and rather than arrest you,

some cops would offer to follow you home so you got there safely (hard to believe today, but that is true).

Back in the day, I always packed a couple cans of beer with my lunch. Then one day, long before DWI was in vogue,

I decided that I'd no longer mix pleasures. Since that day there hasn't been any alcohol in my boat, which I'd guess

was 35 or 40 years ago. Today of course, alcohol is forbidden in most management areas and state parks.

Roger

tomustang reply :

I go out to fish, not drink.

And to get into it deeper, I got to fish, not to boat. Which means the boat is just another tool like a rod or reel.

jbsoonerfan reply :

I hate to be the forum "drunk" but it takes like 2 seconds to take a drink. Some of you act like you are gonna miss 200 casts if you drink a few beers. I can throw out a soft plastic, let it fall and take a drink while it falls. Might do this every few casts but I wouldn't say I have completely lost focus because of it.

A lot of holier than thou posts in this thread.

BigSkyBasser reply :

On 6/2/2015 at 12:45 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

I hate to be the forum "drunk" but it takes like 2 seconds to take a drink. Some of you act like you are gonna miss 200 casts if you drink a few beers. I can throw out a soft plastic, let it fall and take a drink while it falls. Might do this every few casts but I wouldn't say I have completely lost focus because of it.

A lot of holier than thou posts in this thread.

I don't think everyone is looking down on you for it. You're clearly not out there just to get plastered and be an idiot on the water. However some do and those are the ones who carry the reputation of all that consume alcohol on and in boats. Most just prefer not to risk it is all. I certainly have not judged anyone who said yes. Nor is anyone one here achieving "elite" status by claiming they keep the two separate. The fact that over 75% of the responses regard admission to drinking in the first place disclaims any clear arrogance surrounding the topic.

SirSnookalot reply :

Not everyone's water conditions are the same. There is a big difference in being on boat in water that seldom gets more than a ripple. Rivers with current and rocks, larger lakes along with Great Lakes can get very rough. One of tougher paces to navigate a boat is coming in or out of an inlet, lots of current, tide and other boat traffic, you need to be on your toes.

Sam reply :

No.

Only losers consume alcohol on any type of watercraft.

Then they wreck and die and everyone gets sad but let's be brutally correct: we lost another loser which will help the gene pool.

scaleface reply :

Theres a beer in this photo. I like beer . If I feel like having a beer , I have one and dont think anything of it .

tiredbobmarley reply :

Absolutely have beers on the boat. What else are you supposed to do while you wait for a bite?

Bluebasser86 reply :

I don't care if you want to drink while you fish, but if you try to bring more than 2-3 in my boat I'll leave you at the dock, I'm not babysitting anyone or having to haul someone back into the boat after they fall out.

SirSnookalot reply :

Don't see all that much difference between behind the wheel of a car or boat. It isn't the boater I care about, it's the other people on the water.

GetJigginWithIt reply :

On 6/3/2015 at 2:22 PM, SirSnookalot said:
Don't see all that much difference between behind the wheel of a car or boat. It isn't the boater I care about, it's the other people on the water.

Amen to that. See it every weekend where I live. Another accident on the water that could have been avoided. In IL. It is now a dui driving a boat just like a car while under the influence.

blackmax135 reply :

This is actually a fun topic to read about.

Me beeing the young dumb wipper snapper I was 2 or 3 years ago I didn't go fishing without beer. Now, when bass fishing i no longer bring alchol because every time i pop a top the beer just sits there and gets hot and i end up going home with all my beer but thats probably a good thing saftey wise.

I have my own boat and when I go out on the water not bass fishing of course I take beer almost every time.

I had my bachelor party last weekend and me and my buddys put out set lines for catfish. We set the lines and went back to the sand bar drank a few then checked the lines and over and over all night. By morning you all know what shape we were in. I didn't feel good so i was ready to go home and get in my bed we loaded 3 coolers 3 tents a grill and 4 grown men into a 17 ft bass boat!!!! It went from a 5 min trip to a 30 min trip. Not smart!!!!

Now the moral of this story is I'm done with BWI. I have learned my lesson and I will never take more that 3 beers in my boat again.

I fished a tournament a couple weeks ago and me and my partner got checked. the warrdens went on around the corner. A boat comes and anchors in a fishing spot not far from us, they all take out some beers. Wardens come back around the corner. They had to poor out all the beer they had or get taken back to the landing for a test.

thirtysixit reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 8:26 PM, Nice_Bass said:
Almost always have beer on boat. Pretty easy to know what is safe and what is not and i have never understood the automatic assumption somone who drinks beer while fishing is somhow lazy or dangerous. Only a lazy person is lazy and a drunk person not acting safely.

I respect your honesty. There are few things I love more than drinking or bass fishing. However, I do not drink while I fish or operate my bass boat.... Even though I really want to. I believe most states have an open container law on most state waters anyway. In my line of work any alcohol related offense is automatic career suicide. But let me reiterate.... I freaking LOVE BEER!!!!!!!

Respectfully,

Thirtysixit

ww2farmer reply :

I have owned my boat for 10 years, and have had exactly 4 beers over those 10 years while on the boat, and 4 more after a couple tournament weigh-ins while standing around shooting the breeze with the guys......................However.................one time wnybassman and I went ice fishing on Conesus, he was the driver to and from the lake, and foolishly left me alone in the ice shanty with a full bottle of booze. When he returned a short time later, I had made quick work of most of said bottle, and was soon out and about bumming booze, beers, and smokes off the rest of the people on the ice................I have no idea if I caught any fish that day, or how I even got off the ice..........lesson learned, booze and fishing don't mix.

Glenn reply :

Open container law in my state. Automatic DUI and they confiscate your boat; plus you'll probably lose your job too, not to mention your insurance goes through the roof.

Not worth a beer. It can wait.

Montanaro reply :

Saying "you can handle yourself" is all good until the time you can't. That's what a lot of drunk drivers/boaters have said before their arrest or wreck.

Thornback reply :

Have someone video tape you when you are drinking, then view the video when you are not drinking. That video will tell you if you can manage a little alcohol or if you need to eliminate alcohol.

senile1 reply :

Missouri allows open containers on boats as long as they aren't the huge multi-gallon containers used for beer bongs. Any reasonable person should be against boating while intoxicated or boating while under the influence. However, to state that anyone on a lake with beer is a loser, an idiot, etc indicates a lack of consideration for nuance.

Here's a perfect example. My wife and I take lunch on the boat and we will park in the back of a deserted cove to eat said lunch. On occasion, though not often, we will each have one beer with our lunch. One 5 percent beer is .6 of an ounce of alcohol and the body disposes of that amount within an hour or so. We drink lighter beers on the water which are less than 5 percent, and thus, take less time to wear off. We spend more than an hour in that cove after we finish those beers. When we finish lunch we fish our way out of the cove with the trolling motor.

Abide by the laws of your state. Be disciplined enough to drink responsibly and avoid driving your boat under the influence. If you do not have that discipline, then you shouldn't take alcohol on the water with you.

ColdSVT reply :

Sometimes i have a few beers onboard

Usually on my tuesday night league my partner brings a six pack. Three each over 4-5 hours isnt hurting anything

scaleface reply :

On 6/5/2015 at 1:14 AM, ColdSVT said:

Sometimes i have a few beers onboard

Usually on my tuesday night league my partner brings a six pack. Three each over 4-5 hours isnt hurting anything

Three in 4 or 5 hours . How do you keep from falling out of the boat.

sarcasm

ColdSVT reply :

I can hover scaleface lol

I have only fallen overboard once and i was stone sober!

KayakBasser reply :

On 6/1/2015 at 9:33 AM, bassless said:

At what number of posts should I have waited for? 30? 50? 3,000?

Let me know the appropriate number and I'll repost at a time that suits you better.

Okay so now your asking for advise on when when to respond? I don't understand it was just a joke...SOME people get defensive wayyyy to easily.

bassinyea reply :

I only venture out on the lake to do two different things. One is serious bass fishing and the other is to relax and chill on the lake, do some swimming and chilling in the sun. If I am bass fishing or really fishing of any sort I never drink. Slows me down and things are too serious to even think about drinking. If I am out with the family and friends on their pontoon, it is a different story. Never get carried away though.

5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :

I'll say it again....

IBTL.

And also when the lock comes in, the mods need to close this thread with proper theatrical verbiage. it is "end scene" ....... not "and scene". Just sayin. :-)

ColdSVT reply :

On 6/5/2015 at 8:45 AM, 5 Dollar Fishing Game said:

I'll say it again....

IBTL.

And also when the lock comes in, the mods need to close this thread with proper theatrical verbiage. it is "end scene" ....... not "and scene". Just sayin. :-)

Now thats funny!

geo g reply :

I have had a bass boat for over 35 years and always take people out with me if possible.. I have never had alcohol in the boat or had someone take it. I'm not opposed to having a cold one, but there is a time and place for everything, and its not ever in the boat.

bassless reply :

On 6/5/2015 at 5:12 AM, KayakBasser said:
Okay so now your asking for advise on when when to respond? I don't understand it was just a joke...SOME people get defensive wayyyy to easily.

Bro...that makes no sense at all. Nobody asked for any advice...and certainly not on "when to respond." And there was no joke made...anywhere.

scaleface reply :

I dont allow smoking in my boat anymore . You can spill a beer but no more burning holes in my floor .

nicksmurf111 reply :

No, I don't. The laws are convoluted. I'm never the passenger (I think I've taken my 5 year old on every boating trip in the past year). And, my current boat is too small, I'll probably trip and fall out.

stkbassn reply :

On 6/6/2015 at 12:00 AM, nicksmurf111 said:
No, I don't. The laws are convoluted. I'm never the passenger (I think I've taken my 5 year old on every boating trip in the past year). And, my current boat is too small, I'll probably trip and fall out.

This is another good reason and Glenn had mentioned this is as well. While some of you may be in a state that is less strict about such things there are others where they will get popped without any discretion being used by the law at all. As many times as I've been approached by the "Resource officers"? Wardens here in Virginia when I'm doing nothing at all but fishing , I am always glad not to have alcohol as a reason for them to scrutinize me further or worse yet, arrest me over what, a beer or two? Not worth it at all. If you can't be satisfied with just going fishing to fish then I just don't get it. If you can do it and get away with it and not be a danger to yourself or others...go for it! I don't judge anyone or think it's right or wrong but I won't be doing it myself.

ColdSVT reply :

Im drinkin and cleaning my boat right now lol

CRANKENSTIEN reply :

On 6/2/2015 at 5:06 PM, Sam said:

No.

Only losers consume alcohol on any type of watercraft.

Then they wreck and die and everyone gets sad but let's be brutally correct: we lost another loser which will help the gene pool.

Really? Those are strong words for such a broad brush. how do you feel about prescription abuse/ pain killers anti depressants, or anyone else with the possibility of a dulled sense. How about slow reactions: older people, Individus with poor eyesight. If they are in a boat or an auto are they losers? I like this forum because people can express they're views. Opinions and experiences are different.

Glenn reply :

I think we're done here.

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