Looky Loos and What to Do About Them

[redhead]

Is anyone else bothered by tourists walking the dock and feeling very free to climb your boarding steps to get a better look at your deck? Or to peer in your portholes? Or to actually get on deck?

We're pretty big so we're at the commercial dock and they can't lock the gate during the daytime because fishermen and crew need access. Gates are unlocked from approx. 6am to 6pm. I've had very nice people come by and drool over my boat and, of course, they're perfectly welcome and have excellent taste. Then there's the kind mentioned above who will drive me insane.

I chased a couple of men off my neighbor's boat a month ago and they turned to me and very snarkily said "It's such a beautiful day he should be out sailing" as if that was an excuse. Two photographers just came by and not realizing anyone was aboard started up my boarding steps, when I popped up into the cockpit and said "Can I help you?" they got very shirty with me and said "We're taking pictures of your boat" I got kind of shirty myself and said in my haughtiest voice "Surely you can do that from the dock" and off they stomped looking back over their shoulder and most likely casting aspersions on my taste, my upbringing, my Celtic ancestors etc., etc.,

The office knows but can't do anything about it - anybody else solve this problem before I'm carted away?

As always, thanks.

[skipmac]

Post a sign. Something along the lines of:

"Private Proptery/Yacht/Boat/??? Keep Off. Owner and guests only. This means YOU!!! Violators will be persecuted (repeat violators will be prosecuted)."

OR

"This is boat is a private residence. I promise not walk onto your front porch, look in your windows and take pictures if you will do the same for me."

OR plain and simple

"NO TRESPASSING"

[boatman61]

Its pretty common.. that's why with Med moorings I dock bow on.. or with a long enough line if stern to make jumping a dodgy prospect.. but for me.. just putting my weight on the line will bring the boat in enough to step aboard.
Try recording a Doberman barking and snarling... hit play as you go on deck..

[Cheechako]

I know, Damn Lookie lews....it's not like us boaters are like those rich landowners who hate you anchoring in front of THEIR beach! or is it...?

[OutOfControl]

"...anybody else solve this problem before I'm carted away?"





Try this,



or if you're feeling a little adventurous;

[rwidman]

I would start with a simple "Private Vessel, No Trespassing" sign. Nothing cute, nothing sarcastic.


You mention boarding steps so hang the sign on a light chain across the bottom of the steps.


Surely you can figure something out.

[redhead]

I don't mind people walking the dock. On re-reading my post I realize that's what it sounded like. I've done more than my share of dock shopping. What I have an issue with is the apparent feeling that if it's at the dock they can walk on it. No inhibitions at all.

Friends of mine have a beautifully restored wooden tug that they anchor out in the harbor during the summer. They can see her in the harbor from their living room window. One day the woman looks through the binocs and sees 4-6 people on board. Calls the police and they send a boat out. The people said they thought it was abandoned (much too beautiful for that) and decided to stop and drink beers on board.

I guess I'll just post something so they can't claim ignorance. I was just venting because the nice weather has just arrived and it's a month or so until we go cruising. Feel free to ignore, I feel better now.

[valhalla360]

Lots of people stop to look but no one tries to board. We bow in so people can't look into the cabin.

I'd be looking for a new marina if this was a common issue.

[rwidman]

We were on the fuel dock at a rural marina on Lake George in central Florida. It's mostly bass boats. I woke up and was standing naked making my coffee one morning when one of the locals decided to look in the window of our boat. We have curtains but they don't cover 100%.

[cruisersfarm]

You have more patience than I....

The chain/rope and no trespassing sign is the best.

I don't really go to docks, so my equivalent problem is kayakers deciding to have a go under my bridgedeck.

Pretty much ready to dump raw sewage or old rotten food on them as they come out the other side.

Paddles scraping and scratching along the hull as they go under...

[KNoel]

Wow, and I thought it was weird that people (that I didn't know) have stood in front of our boat and taken pictures of themselves!

[autumnbreeze27]

Rig a lawn sprinkler on your steps, valve inside the boat, put a pot of flowers on your steps. Turn it on when somebody starts up your stairs, and then say "sorry; didn't see u; just watering my flowers"


Sent from somewhere in the Pacific

[wrwakefield]

Redhead,

Joshua Slocum purportedly had good results spreading carpet tacks and sometimes treble hooks on deck...

Failing that, we have a lot of fun with this sign...

[In jest for those who may wish to think otherwise; the prices of the requisite expendables have come down again...]

Cheers!

Bill

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Redhead,

Sounds like as of yet you have not tried anything to discourage boarders. Were it me, I'd try the simple bit of rope across the boarding ladder with a simple do not enter type sign hanging from it. I bet this would discourage the majority of simple curiosity boardings, and would not trouble you very much in your activities.

If that didn't work well enough, then escalation would be required, and I'm not sure which of the many suggestions would work best... but i bet you would never get that far.

If it is a public dock, ain't much you can do about rubberneckers walking down it and staring at/photographing your boat. I reckon you just have to live with that, or move to a private dock somewhere.

Jim

[nautical62]

My solution is to head over the Bahamas and anchor in a bay with no other boats in it.