Some Sobering Facts About Alcohol

[fox8moose]

Over 1000 people die in boating accidents every year. Nine out of ten drown. About half those deaths involve alcohol. Its a tragic fact and not a joke, but 50% of drunk men who drown have their fly unzippered. Enough said?

Four hours of powerboat noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind and motion produces a kind of "boater's hypnosis". This slows reactions almost as much as being legally drunk. Adding alcohol to this sun exposure intensifies the effects. Sometimes just a couple of beers are too many.

When you're "tipsy" you're much more likely to fall overboard. Alcohol also reduces your bodies ability to protect against cold weather. So within minutes you may not be able to call for help , or swim to safety.

This information has been gleaned from "Tips For Safe Boating" handout from a U.S Coastguard boating course I took with a grandson last May in Pax River,Md. The message is "if you want to drink do it after the water experience is over". I need all of you to make my fishing more enjoyable. I read your posts with great relish.

Fox

[wallydiver]

I second that!

It seems like everytime I'm talking fishing with a newbie, they always mention getting loaded on the lake. The way I see it, I'm out there to fish. If you just want to get hammered, there's always a place to do it. I think it's ok to knock a few down, but take it easy and be smart.

Just my 2 cents.

[Eastwind]

Many years ago all of my fishing friends and I decided that we would no longer drink any intoxicating beverages on the water. It's that simple, we just do not do it. And we do not allow it in our boats either. When Canada outlawed drinking on the water a few years back it was no big deal to any of us. Actually, I was glad that I would not have to worry about any of the drunken (Contact US Regarding This Word) boaters like those I have had to deal with on Minnesota lakes in the past. On shore, we pop a can of beer open or mix a drink as soon as we get the boat tied. If someone wants to get lit then have at it but do not do it on the water.

[MercMan]

For years and years, drinking beer while fishing was just "what you do". That got in my head when I was younger, and this past June when my crew and I went to Canada, I wondered how not drinking in the boat would affect me, and the others. It's sad how beer/booze becomes a "staple" while fishing or boating. Well, I have to admit that I really enjoyed not drinking beer while fishing in Canada. It was fun enjoying the camaradarie, the water, the sun, the fishing, etc. without having to catch a buzz also.

[subzero]

I agree that there is a place and time for a few cold ones, but Canada got it right by not allowing alcohol on the water. But I do have to admit I do miss a cold one with shore lunch.

[12lb8oz]

I am not saying I drive the boat, if you aren't driving there is nothing wrong (or illegal in US) with drinking on the water. I don't need to drink or get drunk all the time but if I am with certain friends I love it and we have a great time. Obviously you need to still use good judgement but don't look "down" on people who are drinking just because you choose not to.

[Eastwind]

12lb8oz,

I appologize if I offended you or anyone else with my comments about drinking on the water. I certainly do not look down on anybody that wants to have a few cocktails. That is why I made a point of saying that we pop open a beer or mix a drink as soon as we get to shore. If someone wants to drink, responsibly, in a boat I'm okay with that too. If you are not going to be running the boat, have a couple more, just stop before you are losing your balance as balance is a good thing to retain while in a boat. I did not imply that all people that drink on the water end up being drunk, especially fisherman. I did, however, mean to say that I do not miss dealing with the people that get lit up on the water and then cruise around at high speeds putting the rest of us at risk. I've come close to being run in to by them a few times over the years and was not too happy about it. Just this Summer some young people died on the river in Minnesota from drinking too much on the water and then running in to a barge or some other immovable object. If you or I were there that day it could have been either one of us that they ran in to. So, once again, no offense intended, to responsible drinkers.

I'm not sure if I also should be happy that you don't fish with me. What kind of rig do you have?

[Hammer-Smites]

I lost two friends on the river in Stillwater about 5 yrs ago in a boating accident - 5 total were killed. Alcohol was involved.

I don't drink, but don't have a problem with those that do as long as they're not putting mine or anyone else's life in jeopardy on the water or on the road.

You don't have to be drunk to fall in while taking a whizz. I've nearly gone over the side a few times while trying to hang on in rough water - one hand on the "agitator" and the other hanging on to my motor for dear life. I now carry a large gatorade bottle in my boat. It's a lot easier kneeling down on the bottom of the boat and going in a jug than standing on the edge of the boat when it's rough out there. When finished, just rinse it out. It works well. I'll bring an empty bucket out there for the Mrs. too when she comes along - it saves making trips to shore!!!

[Kaz]

Hey Hammer: Try cutting a fabric softener bottle.. The handle works too and they hold more than enough, LOL I learned thay trick from an old pilot friend of mine. No place to go at 5000 ft when you flying low and slow ... LOL In the boat too... Kaz

[Hammer-Smites]

Good idea Kaz - the handle would be nice. Although my gatorade bottle fits nicely out of the way in one of my side compartments.

I was on an overnight flathead hunt with my wife over Labor Day weekend on the St. Croix. Middle of the night, anchored just right, lines out, etc... My wife informs me that she has to "tinkle". I handed her the bucket and everything was cool. No pulling anchors and going to shore in the middle of the night - just pee, rinse, and keep on fishin'!

Seriously, the older I get, the less confident I am about standing on the edge of the boat trying to cut a whiz. Especially in the middle of the night in a river with lots of current, or on a lake on a windy day.

I'll be up on LOW/rainy the first weekend of Nov. If you see someone in a black/gold Alumacraft kneeling down in the back of the boat - it's just me heeding to nature's call.

[Eastwind]

Yes, avoiding that frequent peeing off of the side of the boat. Just one more advantage to those of us that do our drinking on shore. Actually, and you may take this as gross, but I am not afraid to use the back splash pan of my boat for a receptacle if it's a little choppy. It's a lot safer than leaning over the side of the boat. Then I just scoop a little water in to my bucket to " Flush" it out. Maybe one more reason for a person to be glad that they don't fish with me, a least in their boat. If it is really rough, kneeling and using a bucket works just fine.

[Kaz]

You know, I read somewhere, maybe it was here, that a lot of male drowning victims are recovered with their fly open.. I use my bottle, and the flat ones store on the side of the seats too... Kaz

[Hemlock]

4' of abs pipe works well too. Stand in boat, put pipe over side of boat (at a downward angle ) Dip pipe in water to rinse.

[Pout lips]

The plastic pipe works great (for guys) and there's always someplace convenient in any boat to store it out of the way, be it transom, side boot or wherever after you give it a quick rinse. You would probably need to drill a hole near one end and hook a piece of rope to the pipe for tossing over the side for rinsing if you have a large high sided boat / launch.

Very safe deal as guys aren't teetering on the edge of your boat in the wind and waves. No muss - no fuss!

I used my T.O. autographed marker and named my boat's pipe

the "Whizzinator II"