[FirstCandC]

Let's face it, older boats need work. Mine needs work every weekend. However, my neighbor sits on the rear deck of his powerboat 8 feet away and reads every single weekend. He is there just about every time I go to work on the boat, just sitting there enjoying his quiet time. I feel really guilty working, muttering, and grunting as I struggle to work with my limited skills.

Sometimes he just casts off and leaves until I am gone. This makes me feel REALLY guilty. He is a nice quiet fellow. But I can't help it, I need to get some things done.

Just checking your thoughts on this.

 

[Rezz]

He should feel guilty, not you. I can't believe he just sits there. A good dock neighbor wouldn't do that.

Someone should come over there and teach him a lesson. Specifically, how to stand on your finger pier, hold a beer, and point out what you're doing wrong and better ways to do it. Key phrases include "You're doing it wrong," "That's not how I'd do it," and "Are you sure you don't want to call someone?"

 

[weinie]

offer him a six pack of cold non-cheapo beer.

 

[eherlihy]

The least that he could do is inspect your work... I'd find a new marina.

 

[Ajax_MD]

Just how much noise are you making?
Are you running a drill or grinder for hours on end, or is this mostly un-powered, hand tool work that involves sweating and profanity?

If it doesn't involve extended use of loud power tools, or chemicals that give off noxious fumes, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You have as much right to be there as he does.

 

[capttb]

My powerboat dockmate helped me remove and replace my 100 lb. batteries 2 weeks ago when he saw me wrestling with the first one, I weigh 98 lbs. Then a week ago he moved to another slip. Yeah, I feel guilty, but I did save $50 not having to hire someone to help me and he still says hello when we meet.

 

[FirstCandC]

No hand tools and no cursing. But plenty of groaning and "Gosh darnit!" and "FUDGESICKLES!"

Also, it is amazing how loud one can be on a boat when trying to be as quiet as possible.

 

[Rhapsody-NS27]

If it's a concern, would you be able to leave the dock to go somewhere more secluded to do the work so you don't bother anyone else?

 

[djodenda]

Kind of a funny story..

When I was in Marina Del Rey, there was a young man in the next slip on an Ericson 27. Most weekends, he had a different young lady over for a sleepover, and he set up a hammock on the foredeck where they drank Mimosas, and talked on his (then rare) cell phone..

One Saturday morning my wife and I muscled the diesel out of our boat. It was hard, dirty, greasy work... Harsh words were occasionally exchanged between my wife and myself during the process.

My wife told me later, that the young woman in the hammock was eyeing us the entire time.

Never saw her on the boat again.

 

[Brackish_Beard]

I second the motion to offer a cold quality beer. Can you see what he's reading?

I honestly doubt he's bothered by you. In my experience the guys who can help will, and the guys who can't help stick to themselves and hire people to do it for them. All the boating communities I associate with are very helpful and knowledgeable. Whenever we cross paths we shoot the breeze unless there's a job at hand in which case a few guys will pop in to lend a helping hand or constructive criticism, either is appreciated.

Most likely he just enjoys the feeling of being on the water. Reading at the marina is probably just for convenience as I assume where you dock is quiet. I'm sure he gets just as much pleasure if not more when he takes his boat out. At any rate, I wouldn't sweat it. As a boat owner I'm sure he fully understands that a man has to do, what a man has to do. Keep up the good work!

 

[Minnesail]

Just turn up your Metallica a little louder to cover the profanities. That'll take care of it.

 

[Tallswede]

Shoot, you may be a big part of his entertainment! I mean, work fascinates me, I can sit and watch it for hours. LOL

Kevin

 

[pdqaltair]

If I'm just hanging out, I'm less bothered by a neighbor that is working, than one who is also just hangin'.

If he is working I can speak a few kind words, help if I feel like it, or just say "hi" and go about my business of doing nothin'.

If he is just hanging, should I speak to him, or would he rather be alone? Is he watching my every move? Can I just walk by and say nothing?

I'd rather he was doing something. Profanity, like a baby crying, is easy (delightful?) to ignore when it's not yours!

 

[flyingwelshman]

In my opinion the place to do the kind of work you're describing is the marina.

While I am very sensitive to other people's noises I expect to hear the sounds of sanding etc. at the dock rather than on the hook.

I had an incident a few years ago. We stopped at a smaller anchorage for lunch. There were a number of boats there. One guy in an old Chris Craft stinker was tied stern-to to shore. He had set himself up with quite a kingdom with lawn chairs etc. It seemed apparent that he had been there for a while.

He took to sanding his brightwork with a palm sander. At first I figured it was just a touch-up and he would be done quickly. He kept going and going.

I finally rowed over in my dink, to ask him politely if he could give it a rest for a while. He didn't take it well and the discussion escalated to the amusement and entertainment of the other boats in the anchorage.

I asked the guy why he didn't do his work at his marina. He didn't have a marina. :hothead

 

[PaulinVictoria]

I try to keep the swearing relatively short and not too loud when possible, oh and try not to show too much crack.

 

[Markwesti]

Dock Etiquette is a important thing , working or just hanging out . Volumes I could write on the subject . But this is about the working part , palm sanders are a wonderful tool . However the cheap ones whine and rattle like crazy , the good ones make a melo hum .
A while back my mast needed painting , I was discussing it with my good friend Johnny Rotten , and he goes like, Markwesti you can do it right here in the slip like I did . I replied , Mr. Rotten are you aware that at least one person wants you up on charges . Needless to say we went to a yard .

 

[SimonV]

As long as your not getting dust, metal filings or paint on your neighbours boat I can't see any problem. At TBS marina I am in they have a policy that if you need to do any work on deck then you must book and use the work doc,

 

[VallelyJ]

Included among bothersome, inconsiderate power tools--a radio. Run a sander next to my boat and I may not enjoy it but you don't have much choice and I can tune out the steady drone. It's like a lawnmower at home.
If you're someone who needs his radio blaring while you work, get headphones or I might sink your boat next time you're not on it at night. In a spirit of neighborly hi-jinks, of course.
JV

 

[miatapaul]

I think as long as you are not doing it late at night, or very early in the AM there should be no issues. The fact that you are even thinking about it likely proves you are not out of bounds. After all you are paying as much as he does for the slip.

 

[Minnesail]

Are you wearing pants?

As long as you're wearing pants you should be fine.