Boat duties?

[Lizrd]

OK - a new topic. We had some friends of friends out since their lake is still flooded. They were impressed with how much I help out (duh!) and I got to wondering... how much do you ladies contribute grunt wise into the wakeboarding day? What are your duties in and around the boat:

1. before riding?
2. driving/launching?
3. while on the water?
4. putting away?
5. other?

I'll start.

1. Before riding I am responsible for gathering comfort items (towels, sunscreen, drinks). Mike loads the boards and gear. I back up the truck or fasten the hitch.
2. I drive and back the trailer down, park the trailer and return to the boat.
3. On the water I help drive, organize board racks and rope, man the video camera or on a rare occassion get to relax between sets!
4. I go get the truck and trailer, back down and winch up the boat (the cranking part was the part that really impressed the new people. IMO backing down our ramp takes more skill than hooking up the boat and turning the crank!) We all unload but I usually get out of it by letting the dogs out and starting a pot of coffee.
5. In between, I set appointments for oil changes, winterizing, etc.

Personally, I'd rather help and get it done than watch like a bump on a log. I know that if I ever wanted to I could do the whole thing on my own. What do you do to help?

[Grace B.]

Well my family has a cabin on a lake so we keep our boat in all summer long. So I never have to worry about the launching part because my dad usually does all that. I pretty much do everything boat related. I uncover the boat in the morning, put the boards in the racks. Usually my friend or my dad pulls me boarding and then me or my dad pull other people. At the end of the day me and my friends wipe down the boat, clean up the cans or anything else people left in the boat, put the boards back in, and then cover it up for the night. When we have the boat out of the water during the winter I usually vacuum it out and help my dad wax it. My dad does all the winterizing and stuff like that.

[P-Chick]

When I went riding on Turesday, the boat owner was impressed that I got the boat orgainzed and ready to ride as soon as we got out of the 5. All the other girls (and some of the guys too) just sat on thier asses, chatting amongst each other.

I don't know. I don't think it's all that special. I just think of it as proper boat etiquette. But a lot of people just don't know. I just do my part and then some so I get another invite to ride behind the boat in the future.

[indywakechica]

Ahh good new topic lizrd. I was thinking about that tonight when I was out on one of the guys I work with's boat. Felt like I was being lazy. Those guys do all the backing, driving everything. I help wipe the boat down afterwards. On my boat when we have it out tho I typically:

1. Get the bag of junk together...towels, sunscreen etc. We both load up gear and whatnot. I help uncover and put the tower up.
2/3/4. I drive the boat off the trailer and pick up the hubby. I just started doing that this year (last year being the first I'd ever driven the boat so I was one of the yahoos at the dock holding on while he did everything). I drive for the hubby and some others if he wants a break or I just feel like driving. I then drive the boat back on the trailer. I need to start practicing driving the trailer...just hadn't gotten around to that. Feels pretty good being able to pull off/put on the trailer tho...much easier and kinda proud that I can now. The first time I put the boat back on the trailer I was shaking like a leaf. Oh and I'll man the camera if there is one.

Seemed like when I was sorta new on the water I didn't really help because I didn't know what to do and felt like I was in the way. That's why I take it easy on the ones that aren't out much with us. If you've been around for awhile I'll get in your butt for lounging while I do it all Holy cow...I wrote a book Enough babbling.

[onedayatatime]

Being a wakeboarder without a boat, I am always trying my best to repay the boat owner for the pull, not with just gas $$$, but also the loading/unloading, rope detail, keeping things clean while on the water, and helping to clean when the boats off the water-wiping widows, seats and outside of boat, always thanking owner for the hospitality, and asking if there is anything else I can do...this is not only is it common courtesy and respectful, but it also ensures that the next time they go riding, and have extra room, more than likely they won't hesitate to invite you out, knowing that you will pull your wieght!

[JRock*Girl]

To get our boat out for the beggining of the season I have to wash, wax, clean the windows, vacuum, clean and put a protective coat on the apolstry, sand the teak deck, stain the teak deck, load it up, and help put the tower back on. This year I also had to help bolt the tower back down and clean the bilge/ski locker area. This year it took me about a total of 8hrs. Occasionally one of my friends helps me out.

During the season I have to wipe the boat down, button it down it time (the cover), keep the gas filled, and occasionally wax it and put the cleaner on the apolstry. (We keep it on a bouy).

While we are on the boat I am the driver pretty much the whole time unless my dad or his g/f comes on the boat. I deal with the ropes, set people up with the right board and keep the boat organized. We have the flag rigged onto the tower so no one has to deal with it.

The end of the year I have to wipe it all down reallly good, re-clean the apolstry, vacuum, wax it, etc.

A boat is alot of work.....But well worth it. By doing most of the work myself I earn being able to tak ethe boat out by myself all summer.

[wakejunkeygirl]

Well, being a certified 'boat whore' I am VERY generous with the $$$ for the gas.
I always bring drinks for the driver and a cooler filled with extra H2O and snax.
(sometimes homemade cookies & such) I bring a brand new carbon fiber handle that I let everyone use...keep all the trash picked up, wipe down wet feet prints and drip spots. keep all the boards on the racks and jackets in order towels too...wind the rope (gee big surprise there since its mine!?? )
put sunscreen on the drivers back...and anyone else who needs it. bring CD's that I have made for good wakeboarding music and leave a couple with the boat owner for their own collection. I always make whoever gives me a pull their own video afterwards and just general clean up at the end of the wake day on the boat. also help with pumps from the fat sacks while cruising in if needed.

i hope all that stuff is enough. plus I always ALWAYS bring a GOOD attitude. even if I am having a crappy day.

[MissJade]

When I have people around to help, they are always more than helpful (thanks Rachel!!), but it's those things I have to do alone that gets me tired before I even get to the ramp. Getting the trailer hitched to the truck, taking off the cover, getting gas and towing it up and down the hills of 360 to get to the ramp. By the time I get there, I'm exhausted...

[Leggester]

If I may...

My wife is responsible for watching out for the kidnik. I do every thing else.

She helps load/unload, I back down ( don't know why guys don't trust their boats to the ladies, but will trust a truck'n'trailer rig to them ) she take the boat and picks me up.

I generally set up the beach if we're meeting other folks also.

She drops me off and I walk up the hill to get the truck.

In general, she helps out a bit here and there, but her main job is to keep track of Alicia.

[leslisa]

Pack everything for snacks and drinks (usually just H20, but sometimes gatoraide and soda also).

Make sure I have sunscreen and everyone is wearing some.

Get the boards out of the house for my son and hubby to load up. Make sure little guy carries out his own board (it's his ride after all), usually with a friend to help, if not I help him also.

Put the plug in the boat, set up the skylon pole, help put up the bimini, arrange the boat.

Hubby backs the boat/trailer down the ramp. I drive the boat off the trailer.

I put the boards on/off the rack and help with the rope, although if we have other people on the boat, I usually let them do the rope thing and take a break. I also help everyone out of/into the water as necessary, drive when I need to, and get into the water with new riders to help them out whenever they ask.

I help unload everything and restack the boards on the rack.

I usually help clean the boat, and wash the upholstery, but my hubby does all of the mechanical/engine work. I am getting ready to reupholster the boat this winter, also.

I'm sure I am leaving something out. Basically we kind of work as a team - my hubby, son, and I all pull together.

Lisa

[sh0rtyme]

1. Well if it's my boat, I have to carry all of the gear down from the car, take the cover off, wipe down the seats and stuff if they're wet, and unhook us from our spot. If I'm in a friend's boat, I'll help carry down gear and gas if they need it. Also putting the boards on the racks and storing gear in compartments.
2. Basically, I don't drive because I haven't gotten my boater's licence yet (stupid me), but i help make sure we don't hit the sides of the dock, and help hold the boat near the dock if we're waiting for people.
3. On the water, I usually help spot, deal with the rope and help people get themselves and their gear out of the water and put their gear away.
4. I usually help wipe the boat down and help make sure that people don't leave stuff in the boat, and also help put the cover back on the boat.
5. When we take the boat out of the water every once and a while, I help clean the boat. Nasty job, but it needs to be done, even if it requires me to lay on the ground and wipe up and smell water scum.

basically, my dad, myself and most whoever we take out in out boat work together to help out. Most people are willing to help, but it's alright if they don't.

[wawakechic]

I wash, wax, vaccuum, etc. Load it before leaving and unload when returning. I do most of the driving. I keep the boat organized while in use. I'm usually the one to cover it up at night. Usually we ski off of the dock so there's no need to worry about food and drinks, but when we do need them, I do that too. I drive the boat on/off the trailer. I used to be the driver when towing but that has mainly become my husband's job. The do the maintainance too. I could pass this off to the hubby, but I want to make sure I know how to keep it running.

[kerriokie]

Lets see... I have truck duties - backing in and fetching when we're finished. Getting the cooler ready, food, towels and sunscreen. If we're going out of town or combining a camping and wakeboarding trip, I take care of getting all bags packed and/or all camping gear ready. Hubby takes care of packing the boat and making sure everything is running smoothly. Afterwards, we share cleaning out the boat and wiping it down, putting the gear and the boat away. I drive the boat if the water isn't too crowded and on occasion will take care of the towing too.