posted 11-17-2008 11:48 AM ET (US)        

That second shot is of my wife, Edie, and some friends enjoying the unseasonable weather about five miles SSW of Bodega Head (~60 miles north of San Francisco). I've got about 80 hours on my new-to-me BW 15 center console/Yamaha F60 since I acquired the little sweety back in August, and I aim to break one hundred before winter really hits us out here. No psychiastrists or puzzled financial planners for me...this is the only way to cure the blues!

posted 11-17-2008 01:17 PM ET (US)            

John, I think the sea lions were going after schools of anchovies or sardines, but we didn't see any bait boiling on the surface. A very beautiful day.

f.g., I'm a total fascist about PFDs on board. No dissent whatsoever tolerated, even from my teenage kids. And Edie's a smart woman to encourage a long term husband of a certain age, like me, to pursue mistresses with curves designed by Bob Dougherty rather than the kind designed by nature.

posted 11-17-2008 07:58 PM ET (US)            

I advised Hector that I was leaving the dock and if he wished to join us, he would put the jacket on. I never heard so much B*tching about safety.

What is it that people don't get?

posted 11-18-2008 10:15 AM ET (US)            

these photos are wonderful!
i miss california so much right now!!

posted 11-18-2008 10:57 AM ET (US)         

quote:

---

What is it that people don't get?

---

Live and let live.

To each his own.

What's so hard to understand about that?

posted 11-18-2008 02:35 PM ET (US)            

not fine art, but refreshing.
It was a hard day life today..

Tight lines

posted 11-18-2008 07:31 PM ET (US)         

That's just how they 'roll' in the PNW.

posted 11-18-2008 11:30 PM ET (US)            

Do you own a boat?

Statistically, boating deaths are highly associated (I think it is over 90%) with the absence of a PFD

You, as the owner, may be liable for the death, and associated settlements, whether you warned the person or not

The CG requires you to have PFDs for a reason and

Finally, it is like offering a motorcycle to someone without a helmet-

WHY TAKE A CHANCE?

FilthyPit- I ALWAYS love your posts, so no attack here- there are many new generation PFDs that are not hot or bulky.

posted 11-19-2008 10:07 AM ET (US)         

Yes I do own a boat. I have owned my own boats for about 25 years and was first mate on all of my dad's boats for 15ish years before I got my first boat.

Of course I ALWAYS have PFD's available for anyone that wishes to wear one. There have even been circumstances when I strongly requested my passenger(s) to put one on.

The fact is though, most of the time I do not wear one nor do I mandate to my passengers that they must wear one on a flat calm, hot summer day. The point of my "odd commentary" was to say that each and every one of us is responsible for our own choices and I'm ok with other people making choices that I may or may not agree with.

Again I ask, what is so hard to understand about that?

Is it a power trip thing or are you simply just so much smarter then the rest of the population that you deem it your duty to protect the rest of us from ourselves.

I wouldn't have even responded to your post had you not included the "what is it that people don't get" comment. I simply wanted to point out that there might be something that YOU don't get.

I also put a lot of miles on my motorcycle. Guess what! I wear a 15 dollar skid lid in this state and take it off as soon as I get into a state that doesn't require one. The last time I was out west we went about 500 miles out of our way on the way home to avoid Nebraska. Out of the 6000 miles of road we covered on that trip over 5000 was with the helmets strapped to the rear fender.

This is just life. Nobody is getting out alive. To each his own. Live and let live. You do your thing I'll do mine and I'll see you on the other side.

posted 11-19-2008 10:46 AM ET (US)            

So when you're in a nursing home with a permanant brain injury, your estate/family will pay all the costs? You won't be a burden on the government? HA!

I've seen too many like that.

But then again, one of my mantras is, "Freedom lies in being bold." If you don't take chances (at all) what's the point of living.

I don't always wear a helmet while riding my bicycle. Usually I'm riding with my wife where I'm in worse danger of falling over from going so slow than getting hit by a car.

posted 11-19-2008 12:48 PM ET (US)            

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/jmartin-/91006002-1.jpg

They do blend in with the rocks.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/jmartin-/chad010-1.jpg

posted 11-21-2008 08:37 PM ET (US)         

You invite your boss and her boyfriend for a boat ride, something that is supposed to be fun, and you start giving orders to him? Your boss's boyfriend? Strike one.

PFDs are supposed to be available, and no adult is required to wear them on a boat. The man is an adult who can make his own decisions. If he drowns, it's his fault. Strike two.

Now you come here and make a sexist comment to the effect that he's just some brainless typical macho guy because he won't wear the PFD. Strike three.

posted 11-21-2008 09:41 PM ET (US)            

You are civilly liable as the owner of the boat. Why anyone would choose to jeopardize individual safety or risk civil action does not make sense to me. Its fun until someone gets hurt. Double.

posted 11-22-2008 11:05 AM ET (US)         

Duh. Dumb question huh?

The proof that they can and do is right here.

;-)

Some don't allow passengers on thier boats who are adament about thier choice to not wear a pfd due to their fear of civil liability. I don't allow passengers on my boat who I fear might hold me accountable for the results of their decisions.

Poker, this means that by extension you agree with me! That's got to hurt huh?

posted 11-22-2008 11:14 AM ET (US)            

How 'bout them sea lions, folks? Great weather for the middle of November, eh? Calm seas as well! Nice boat, that little 15 center console. Great life, with or without a PFD, with or without an economic depression, when you're lucky enough to own a Boston Whaler.

posted 11-22-2008 11:25 AM ET (US)         

quote:

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Great life, with or without a PFD

---

Now you're talking! ;-)

As far as the weather goes... It's 15 degrees and 20-25mph out of the NW.

I hear the Salmon fishing is phenomenal as the fish are back in the lake gorging themselves after thier spawning run up the tribs.

15 degrees... maybe.

20-25 from the NW... maybe.

posted 12-05-2008 11:27 AM ET (US)            

Sea Lion; the other - other white meat. It's what for dinner.

Leave it to the guy from Maine. I think "Kill It & Grill It" is the state motto or something. Can I drive up for the next Bar-B-Que?

Sorry Tony, I couldn't help myself. Just another off topic comment from the peanut gallery. I really don't eat many marine mammals; just found Deepwater's comment funny.

Thanks for the great pictures.

Congrats Jim!!!!! Looking forward to meeting up with you somewhere in the Northeast at some point & checking out that horribly unsafe antique scow of yours.

posted 12-05-2008 05:35 PM ET (US)            

Still, I really love the miserable critters. They remind me of dogs, sorta stupid and clumsy and humorous at times, but incredibly graceful and intelligent when they're not just goofin' around.

They're all over out here, and some are causing serious problems in marinas where they clamber up onto anchored and slipped boats and make them their homes. That's not a problem in my little fishing harbor, and we've all come to know a couple of huge resident sea lions who cruise the marinas and live off the fish guts dumped into the water by party boats and commercial guys. You've gotta be kinda careful cleaning your fish on the docks, because if you turn around or walk away for a minute, these sea lions will lunge right up out of the water and grab your catch.

Anyway, no offense for your comments...I can relate ;-)