Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 20 Jan 2007 18:33:23 -0800, "Frogwatch"

I'd burn the Tolman ASAP.

no, no, no! give it to me! I'll take care of it...

wf3h wrote:

...

we do more than shake hands.

That's the only thing of mine you're going to get to shake. You are,
however, free to inspect my boat. And, I do thank you for it.

--
Stan

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
On 1/20/2007 9:33 PM, Frogwatch wrote:
Took my newly built 20' Tolman Skiff out today to test new instruments.
Hauled her from N. Tallahassee down to St. Marks River where there
were already about 30 other boat trailers parked.
As soon as I got out of my truck, this older guy walks up in a sorta
blue uniform that said U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked if I
wanted a free "courtesy safety inspection". Being proud of my boat and
knowing she is in excellent shape and sorta wanting to show her off I
said "OK". He did say he was not empowered to issue any tickets for
anything. It turns out that he goes to the same church my wife attends
so he sorta knows us. However, during the short "inspection", I
started to feel kinda put-off by it. It was all very friendly and he
did give some good advice on problems with the launch area but I really
began to feel odd about the whole thing.
My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection. After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something. Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.
He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?) What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?
It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.



You're under no obligation to deal with these people. The few times I have
been "encountered" by USCGA types wanting to inspect, I have told them no.
I think they get brownie points in their clubs for turning in completed
inspection forms.

I refused once and the guy asked me if I still wanted an inspection sticker.
Perhaps their *effectiveness* is rated by the number of inspection stickers
they hand out.

Needless to say I called the local USCG office and reported this guy.
Hopefully he is no longer a USCGA member.

Gene Kearns wrote:
On 20 Jan 2007 18:33:23 -0800, Frogwatch penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


As soon as I got out of my truck, this older guy walks up in a sorta
blue uniform that said U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked if I
wanted a free "courtesy safety inspection". Being proud of my boat and
knowing she is in excellent shape and sorta wanting to show her off I
said "OK". He did say he was not empowered to issue any tickets for
anything.

Well, it is free and is voluntary. Feel free to say, "No," if you
wish.... and I probably would have said, "Not No, but HELL NO," if his
intent was to stick anything on my boat that couldn't be scraped off
of glass...

My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection.

The only "authority" he has is to offer is volunteered time and
knowledge.

After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something.

Not likely..... unless you were a catastrophic accident waiting to
happen...

Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.

That's kindova non-standard scenario for these guys.... again,
remember they aren't paid to do this and, depending on the local USCG,
they may not be the best trained for odd stuff.

Locally, the USCGA fellows are more intent on insuring that you have
the appropriate safety gear aboard... fire extinguishers, personal
flotation devices, flares, etc... undoubtedly their marching orders
from the USCG.

Regionally, your USCG may be more interested in paperwork, hence
different marching orders.

He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?)

Well, I wouldn't go quite that far, but I've never been stopped by the
USCG for inspection of equipment. I think a current sticker may send
them on to the next boat that doesn't have one...

What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?

I think the major thing is that it covers *his* butt for affixing the
decal for due cause. It proves he actually did the inspection, rather
than giving stickers out like candy.

It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.

Forget it.....

I can't figure out what the big deal is. The USCGAux has a specific
area they want the sticker attached to. On my boat it is on the port
side windshield. I normally would get pulled over once a year, normally
in the early spring, just to do a safety inspection of the boat. Since
I have the sticker I have never been pulled over. I would assume some
of the inspectors can be pricks, especially if the person they offered
the free service to is being a prick, but all USCGAux. I have been
involved with have been very pleasant.

If someone wants a free inspection, w/o a sticker, I can't imagine any
inspector saying no. You just would not get one of the main benefits,
which is the USCD or DNR will not pull you over for a random safety
inspection.

"JohnH" wrote in message
news
On 20 Jan 2007 19:52:08 -0800, "Frogwatch" wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:03:18 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

I appreciate the CG and CGA, but something just doesnt seem right about
this but I am not sure what it is. Being a very long time sailor, I
have only been stopped by law enforcement types 3 times over 20 years
so I am not used to it happening. Maybe they stop powerboats more.

There are pics of my Tolman on the Fishy Fish site. I am David OHara
and the pics are under my name there. It is a 20' Standard Tolman with
a 90 hp Yamaha and 9.9 hp kicker. I built it as a center console.
This is my first foray into power boating and even though I have been
boating all my life I had never piloted a power boat until December
2006 when I launched my Tolman.

The courtesy inspection is just that - something being done for you. I've
had several. They don't hurt, no one's out to get you or your boat.

Some folks are a little paranoid. Deservedly so.
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

Not paranoid, but I have been inspected by a real asshole. I am in my 14'
aluminum boat and I have more than the required equipment. GPS, fire
extinguisher, throwable cushion. He first complains that there is not a
complete 3" between the CF and the first number of the registration numbers.
There is only 2". Then makes other nasty remarks and askes where the extra
lifejackets are after he stepped in the boat. Informed him I am the only
one aboard and I am wearing my PFD. He stated he was aboard. I informed
him to get his ass out of my boat and never get near it again. I should
have called over his co workers and blasted him again for being a dickhead.

On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:50:49 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

On 1/21/2007 11:40 AM, JimH wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...


I refused once and the guy asked me if I still wanted an inspection sticker.
Perhaps their *effectiveness* is rated by the number of inspection stickers
they hand out.

Needless to say I called the local USCG office and reported this guy.
Hopefully he is no longer a USCGA member.



It probably was Reggie, the reigning officious a*sshole of this
newsgroup. If it is information or an opinion you don't need, Reggie has
it first.

Harry! You are such a neat guy! You call names better than almost anyone I
know. Aren't you glad JimH is back to give you the support you need?

You and JimH have both had bad experiences with the USCGA. Wow! Quite
coincidental, don't you think? Must be your karma!
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:14:45 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
news
On 20 Jan 2007 19:52:08 -0800, "Frogwatch" wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:03:18 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

I appreciate the CG and CGA, but something just doesnt seem right about
this but I am not sure what it is. Being a very long time sailor, I
have only been stopped by law enforcement types 3 times over 20 years
so I am not used to it happening. Maybe they stop powerboats more.

There are pics of my Tolman on the Fishy Fish site. I am David OHara
and the pics are under my name there. It is a 20' Standard Tolman with
a 90 hp Yamaha and 9.9 hp kicker. I built it as a center console.
This is my first foray into power boating and even though I have been
boating all my life I had never piloted a power boat until December
2006 when I launched my Tolman.

The courtesy inspection is just that - something being done for you. I've
had several. They don't hurt, no one's out to get you or your boat.

Some folks are a little paranoid. Deservedly so.
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

Not paranoid, but I have been inspected by a real asshole. I am in my 14'
aluminum boat and I have more than the required equipment. GPS, fire
extinguisher, throwable cushion. He first complains that there is not a
complete 3" between the CF and the first number of the registration numbers.
There is only 2". Then makes other nasty remarks and askes where the extra
lifejackets are after he stepped in the boat. Informed him I am the only
one aboard and I am wearing my PFD. He stated he was aboard. I informed
him to get his ass out of my boat and never get near it again. I should
have called over his co workers and blasted him again for being a dickhead.


This is a story about the USCGA? I've never seen them inspecting boats on
the water. It has always been at the ramp or in the marina. I've never been
boarded by them. Anytime I've been boarded, the individual was already
wearing a vest, both Coasties, DNR, and local police. I've seen many USCGA
courtesy patrol boats on the water, but the crew has always been wearing
vests.

Maybe your experience was a San Francisco thing?
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:17:23 -0500, Reginald P. Smithers III penned
the following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


If someone wants a free inspection, w/o a sticker, I can't imagine any
inspector saying no. You just would not get one of the main benefits,
which is the USCD or DNR will not pull you over for a random safety
inspection.

As I read it....

issue #1 is that the OP was unfamiliar with the USCGA..... and their
role in concert with the USCG and,

#2 he probably had no glass on which to affix the decal.... since he
described his boat as a "20' Tolman Skiff," which likely has no cuddy.
Thus, the issue with *where* to put the sticker....

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats


Another thing to consider: If you have nothing to hide why would you be
fearful of being pulled over by the USCG?

To think one of the *main* benefits of a USCGA inspection is obtaining a
sticker is utterly ridiculous.

JimH wrote:
"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:17:23 -0500, Reginald P. Smithers III penned
the following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


If someone wants a free inspection, w/o a sticker, I can't imagine any
inspector saying no. You just would not get one of the main benefits,
which is the USCD or DNR will not pull you over for a random safety
inspection.

As I read it....

issue #1 is that the OP was unfamiliar with the USCGA..... and their
role in concert with the USCG and,

#2 he probably had no glass on which to affix the decal.... since he
described his boat as a "20' Tolman Skiff," which likely has no cuddy.
Thus, the issue with *where* to put the sticker....

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats


Another thing to consider: If you have nothing to hide why would you be
fearful of being pulled over by the USCG?

To think one of the *main* benefits of a USCGA inspection is obtaining a
sticker is utterly ridiculous.

I (the original poster) have no problem with the CG or CGA. My concern
was that suddenly I see him filling out all this paperwork about me.
In all these years of sailing, I have rarely had any experiences with
the CG or CGA but when I get a powerboat suddenly I do. It just seemed
weird.

JimH wrote:
"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:17:23 -0500, Reginald P. Smithers III penned
the following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


If someone wants a free inspection, w/o a sticker, I can't imagine any
inspector saying no. You just would not get one of the main benefits,
which is the USCD or DNR will not pull you over for a random safety
inspection.

As I read it....

issue #1 is that the OP was unfamiliar with the USCGA..... and their
role in concert with the USCG and,

#2 he probably had no glass on which to affix the decal.... since he
described his boat as a "20' Tolman Skiff," which likely has no cuddy.
Thus, the issue with *where* to put the sticker....

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats


Another thing to consider: If you have nothing to hide why would you be
fearful of being pulled over by the USCG?

To think one of the *main* benefits of a USCGA inspection is obtaining a
sticker is utterly ridiculous.

I (the original poster) have no problem with the CG or CGA. My concern
was that suddenly I see him filling out all this paperwork about me.
In all these years of sailing, I have rarely had any experiences with
the CG or CGA but when I get a powerboat suddenly I do. It just seemed
weird.