Grog

I was wondering how many TF folks imbibe in a beer (shot, wine, teq. etc.) or two while underway.

We had our local Christmas parade the other evening and I noticed that everyone on our boat was consuming some form of alcohol. In fact, the guys on the boat behind us were doing moonshine shots. We had a USCG and police boat escort and apparently it wasn’t an issue with them. I don’t drink when I’m on a boat that’s underway so I became the “designated driver”. Fortunately, the whole thing was done at idle speed so there was only minor chaos.

The folks in this area seem pretty casual about having some “grog” while underway. The fellow a couple of slips from me comes down with a bottle of JW Black every time they go out on his Egg Harbor. The bottle is empty when they get back. He can back his boat into his slip pretty easily, so I guess he’s ok.

So, if you’re out for a pleasant evening cruise with some friends, do you share a glass of red or a beer while enjoying the beautiful sunset, while underway? KJ

PS I had some of that "moonshine" when I got back to the dock. OMG!

Nuff said!

Sunset cocktail cruises were common in our area before 9/11/01.

Security was increased (there's a power plant across the creek from the marina). Coast Guard, DNR, City Police, and State enforcement agencies all based here. We have more designated drivers and fewer cocktail cruises.

I'll probably be crucified for saying this but yes I do. But am far from reckless about it.

Our heaviest consumption is while docked/moored,



or on a cruise ship.

Being in control and over .05 here is an offense. Now Maritime is absorbed into "Roads & Maritime" Authority, expect more enforcement.
Operating the boat I keep consumption moderate at lunch, I don`t drink while driving. I buy light beer for the boat. Anchored for the night is a dilemma, nice to enjoy a drink, but what if something arises, and you need to be thinking and acting 100%. Again moderation rules, but moderation is a variable (?fluid) thing.

I don't smoke or drink anymore...that's why we can afford a boat

The rules here do not prohibit the captain from drinking while underway, but they do prohibit boating under the influence (0.08% BAC). I don't mind having a beer or two over time while underway, but I don't operate the boat when I'm loaded.

The challenge can come when fishing all day at anchor with the guys who like to tip a few from the first cast to the last retrieve. I'll have one here and there, but will focus on non-alcoholic beverages until I'm back at the dock.

For us, it depends.

If Kathy and I are out for the weekend, or a week, with no real agenda, I may have a rum drink or beer while underway.

During any planned events (Opening Day Cruise, Special People's cruise, Christmas cruise, etc., I won't touch a drop. These cruises usually involve other boats maneuvering very close together in close quarters.

If a collision occurs, I don't want to complicate the issue with a potential BUI.

Rarely I'll have a beer (ONE!) with dinner and then drive the boat. Normally if I have to operate the boat I don't drink. I'll wait until we're anchored or tied up for the night.

I know from first hand experience what can happen when someone has too much to drink and then drives their boat.

Here's my 330 Sundancer that was hit by a drunk driving his boat....

FlyWright said:

The challenge can come when fishing all day at anchor with the guys who like to tip a few from the first cast to the last retrieve. I'll have one here and there, but will focus on non-alcoholic beverages until I'm back at the dock.

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Enjoy when you can.

GFC said:

Rarely I'll have a beer (ONE!) with dinner and then drive the boat. Normally if I have to operate the boat I don't drink. I'll wait until we're anchored or tied up for the night. I know from first hand experience what can happen when someone has too much to drink and then drives their boat. Here's my 330 Sundancer that was hit by a drunk driving his boat....

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Ouch!!!! how fast was he going to that significant of damage?

GFC, your next boat should be made of steel.

Pau Hana said:

During any planned events (Opening Day Cruise, Special People's cruise, Christmas cruise, etc., I won't touch a drop. These cruises usually involve other boats maneuvering very close together in close quarters.

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As a general rule, I avoid "crazy" events. Like, the Fourth of July should be spent at home or no further than the marina.

Has been known to happen.

A glass of wine or a beer is just that, no big deal. However six gasses may be another matter. I think we are all old enough to know where to draw the line if you're skippering the boat.

That said, I do feel a patriotic duty to support our wine industry.

Onto the wine country (Napa Valley)!

Everyone has their limitations both chemical and physical in consuming alcohol. You should know yours and abide by it.

Likewise, some people have their limitations while operating a boat, that issue too should be addressed when consuming alcohol.

Many studies have shown that light alcohol consumption actually increases some factors of performance...so some people may benefit when docking their boat with one or two in them.

I have one or two beers sometimes with a sandwich at lunch or the rare evening cruise with food....haven't found the need for more but I certainly am not afraid to have a couple.

If I felt boating was that dangerous I wouldn't do it or if having a couple drinks was that dangerous I wouldn't do it.

I have boating friends that are astounded that I would have a couple underway....yet they are the same types to split a bottle of wine with their wives, jump into a car and speed home on a rainy night full of twisting roads.

I feel less of a hypocrite operating a boat at 6.3 knots in broad daylight....

markpierce said:

As a general rule, I avoid "crazy" events. Like, the Fourth of July should be spent at home or no further than the marina.

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Agreed! As a general rule, my family never venture out (car or boat) on the 4th and New Year's Eve; I try to stay off the water on Memorial and Veterans Day--too many inexperienced boaters on the water (many of whom are drinking).

No drinking is allowed on my boat.

I might have one beer while underway. Maybe two, depending on how long we're out. Never, EVER drink enough to feel even the slightest effects of the alcohol while underway. No "buzz," no nothing. Basically the same as when I'm driving.

Once we're docked/moored/anchored/whatever... Then it's a different story. I have a close friend who has been dealing with alcoholism for a long time now. Watching him slowly but steadily destroy his life has convinced me that I never want to let it become a habit. But I'm no tee-totaler. Once the boat is secured then a few beers, a couple of glasses of wine, or whatever else is a welcome refreshment.

A "dark and stormy" once the sun is over the yard arm, whatever that means.

I will have a few while underway usually on the way out. perhaps i am not that good or perhaps its the single screw and no thruster. either way, i need (most) of my wits about me to get in without becoming the entertainment of the marina.

as someone else mentioned it is the "deck crew" who drinks from cast off till tie up that worries me. At some point (usually a case of beer) it is easier to have htem sit below and for me to single hand into the slip.

See my reply to the "Top 10 boating rules" thread.

Absolutely no alcohol for the driver. I believe that as the boat owner and captain/operator I have total responsibility for the safety of the passengers, at least morally if not legally. I want to know that if the worst happens that I did everything in my power to prevent it.

That said, once at the dock, it's game on!

Never while underway, very little while on the hook and anything goes when tied to the dock.

Of course total responsibility means the operator has at least a captains license and a refresher course every year, about $200,000 worth of safety equipment, only uses a professional crew....etc...etc...please...while everyone has their opinion of alcohol and it's evils...it can get ugly when the same "standards" apply to all forms of impaired operation which includes age, fatigue, listening to the radio or passengers, and only thousands more to include prescription meds.....whether in an auto or a boat.

Some people can handle themselves after a few and others are dangerous on the water whether sober or not.

BoatUS did a study that pretty much proved that some people plastered still operated vessels better than others did sober.... so maybe we all should be subject to a test .
before heading out.

Know your limits ....and those limits may not be the same for everyone.

N4712 said:

Ouch!!!! how fast was he going to that significant of damage?

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He was running on plane, about 10:00 at night on a calm, clear night. We were drifting, had our nav lights and we were about the only boat out there.

He had been drinking most of the day and he and his new squeeze were on their way to a waterfront bar with a dock to have more drinks.







His boat (2455 Bayliner Ciera) came completely out of the water on top of our boat then slid back off into the water.

His bowrail had penetrated the side of my boat, above the rub rail and when his boat came up out of the water it ripped the top deck of my boat up and tore it almost all the way across the deck.

Can you see why I'm VERY cautious about drinking and boating? I don't want someone on my boat (or another boat) to get hurt because I didn't exercise self control.

WOW that would be one hell of a sight...did you see him coming? i take it everyone is OK.

this guy clearly had way more than a few drinks.

Oh and i love the fact that when you put her back in the slip you put the fenders out...that is love for a boat.

I've been told I enjoy more then my fair share, once the hook hits the water and I'm done moving for the day, but while we are moving I don't touch the stuff. Love too, but I'm still learning how to handle this beast. There is plenty of time once we are moored and the hook is set.

psneeld said:

Of course total responsibility means the operator has at least a captains license and a refresher course every year, about $200,000 worth of safety equipment, only uses a professional crew....etc...etc...please...while everyone has their opinion of alcohol and it's evils...it can get ugly when the same "standards" apply to all forms of impaired operation . . .

BoatUS did a study that pretty much proved that some people plastered still operated vessels better than others did sober.... so maybe we all should be subject to a test .
before heading out.

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How'd you come up with this definition? Do you really mean anyone without a captain's license is less than fully responsible?

And if you're talking about this study, BoatUS Foundation Findings Report #32: Alcohol and Boating - January 1999 that's a pretty selective reading of the facts.

I make sure I always have enough on hand and usually keep the still going while underway.