I usually figure a bar is unsafe if there's a fight in progress, I
see bulletholes in the windows, or when there's a mixture of HD's and
souped up rice-burners parked out front.

The USCG, however, has different standards.

I think the formula comparing the wave height to the LOA divided by 10
and then adding the freeboard is pretty useful.
If I follow the logic correctly, the formula predicts that a 30-foot
boat with a 4-foot freeboard should be OK in up to about 7-foot waves.

From a USCG item on bar safety:

**
Many boating accidents and fatalities are attributed, at least in
part, to hazardous coastal bar conditions. A federal law was enacted
in the early 1970s establishing the ocean entrances to northwest
rivers and bays as Regulated Boating Areas under the National Boating
Safety Act. This law gives the Coast Guard authority to suspend or
terminate the voyage of recreational vessels and certain passenger
vessels that attempt to operate in these areas when hazardous or
unsafe conditions exist. Failure to comply can result in a $1000 civil
penalty.

When imposing restrictions, the Coast Guard first evaluates the
conditions at the bar. Restrictions are then based on the type and
size of vessel and the following criteria:

Wave height four feet or greater, or,
Wave height is greater than the length of the boat divided by 10 plus
the freeboard, or,
The surface current is four knots or greater.
These conditions are the minimum criteria for what is considered
unsafe.

**

On 3 May 2007 11:54:07 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

I usually figure a bar is unsafe if there's a fight in progress, I
see bulletholes in the windows, or when there's a mixture of HD's and
souped up rice-burners parked out front.

That'll work. I see twenty choppers parked outside and I pass on by
too. If hillbilly music is playing on the juke and it looks like the
30 customers have less than a total 120 teeth, or 50 eyes, I turn
right around and walk out.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
On 3 May 2007 11:54:07 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

I usually figure a bar is unsafe if there's a fight in progress, I
see bulletholes in the windows, or when there's a mixture of HD's and
souped up rice-burners parked out front.

That'll work. I see twenty choppers parked outside and I pass on by
too. If hillbilly music is playing on the juke and it looks like the
30 customers have less than a total 120 teeth, or 50 eyes, I turn
right around and walk out.

--Vic


Too snobby. You'll never meet Shortwave Sports or Eisbocher that way.
They're known for hanging out with the lowlifes.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..

Vic Smith wrote:

That'll work. I see twenty choppers parked outside and I pass on by
too. If hillbilly music is playing on the juke and it looks like the
30 customers have less than a total 120 teeth, or 50 eyes, I turn
right around and walk out.

--Vic


Too snobby. You'll never meet Shortwave Sports or Eisbocher that way.
They're known for hanging out with the lowlifes.

You haven't lived until you spend an evening or two in a side street bar in
Brockton, MA, singing "My Way" with a dozen or so Harley Dudes.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..

Vic Smith wrote:
That'll work. I see twenty choppers parked outside and I pass on by
too. If hillbilly music is playing on the juke and it looks like the
30 customers have less than a total 120 teeth, or 50 eyes, I turn
right around and walk out.

--Vic

Too snobby. You'll never meet Shortwave Sports or Eisbocher that way.
They're known for hanging out with the lowlifes.

You haven't lived until you spend an evening or two in a side street bar in
Brockton, MA, singing "My Way" with a dozen or so Harley Dudes.

Eisboch



Do you happen to sing the countertenor parts? :}

On Thu, 03 May 2007 15:28:16 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
On 3 May 2007 11:54:07 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

I usually figure a bar is unsafe if there's a fight in progress, I
see bulletholes in the windows, or when there's a mixture of HD's and
souped up rice-burners parked out front.

That'll work. I see twenty choppers parked outside and I pass on by
too. If hillbilly music is playing on the juke and it looks like the
30 customers have less than a total 120 teeth, or 50 eyes, I turn
right around and walk out.

--Vic


Too snobby. You'll never meet Shortwave Sports or Eisbocher that way.
They're known for hanging out with the lowlifes.

That reminds me. I've been in many bars in many cities and countries,
with sailor, marines, mill workers, steel framers in NYC, whores, acid
droppers, potheads, etc. Closed and crawled out of them.
Never saw a fight. Just close calls.
One day I fell asleep on the train coming home from work in downtown
Chicago and missed my stop. Ended up in Northbrook, home of doctors,
lawyers and stockbrokers.
The return train wouldn't be for an hour, and I spotted a bar across
the street from the station. Went in to have a beer or two. Real
toney place, full of the above mentioned sorts, wearing $2000 suits
and $1500 cashmere overcoats.
Didn't get half a beer down before a fight broke out. I was out of
there real quick before somebody pulled a piece.
Always resented not getting to finish my $3 bottle of beer.

--Vic

On Thu, 03 May 2007 15:28:16 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
On 3 May 2007 11:54:07 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

I usually figure a bar is unsafe if there's a fight in progress, I
see bulletholes in the windows, or when there's a mixture of HD's and
souped up rice-burners parked out front.

That'll work. I see twenty choppers parked outside and I pass on by
too. If hillbilly music is playing on the juke and it looks like the
30 customers have less than a total 120 teeth, or 50 eyes, I turn
right around and walk out.

Too snobby. You'll never meet Shortwave Sports or Eisbocher that way.
They're known for hanging out with the lowlifes.

I never hung around with a Squids. :)