What do I do?

[syd]

Hi all
Just sold my boat so I'm on the prowl for another asap.

My PROBLEM is, after the deal was signed and sealed and we were indulging in idle chatter, the purchaser informed me 1. This is his first boat. 2.He has never driven a boat before. 3 He has no radio experience or idea of which channels to use. 4.He has no experience with tide tables or heights of tide. 5. He is intending to take the boat from my mooring in Thurrock to Windsor, SOLO!
I have insisted he gets someone with experience to accompany him, but if he shows up alone to take the boat he now owns what should I do?
I don't fancy the idea of letting a total novice loose on the river, for everyones sake.
Your suggestions PLEASE!
Syd

 

[Moose]

Go with him?

Moose

I want a boat!!!.........a nice big one that is really cheap and runs on air.

 

[petem]

1) Ensure cheque has cleared
2) Wish him luck
3) Don't look back

Alternatively,

Get him to post a message on this forum. TCM is always up for a delivery trip.

 

[aztec]

admire his confidence.. he's gonna need it!!

the broker who sold me my boat was a bit worried as this was my first "proper" boat... but i only hed to go across the harbour and up the river... lesson learnt... i would do it different next time!!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html>http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html</A>

 

[Wexfordian]

You already know what you should do - accompany him. Ask yourself how you'll feel if he comes a cropper. The only reason he's considering a solo delivery is because he hasn't a clue about all that could potentially go wrong. What've you got to lose - after all you're currently boatless anyway. Go on ... do the right thing.


First though, make sure the cheque has cleared!

 

[KevL]

I have to agree that you really should offer to show him around the doat on it's maiden voyage under the new captain. how would you feel if he came to/caused someone else some grief.

These Bayliner 2556 sell like hot cakes, I sold mine at the weekend and am now looking for a trawler yacht (flybrige + aft cabin) around the 40 foot mark. Anyone got anything interesting?

--
Tides - Never there when you need one.
Wind - Always there when you don't.

KevL

 

[coliholic]

Agree with Moose, Wexfordian and KevL, you've gotta go with him. If nothing else to give him the confidence, but don't go as the skipper, go just as crew, after all it's his boat so let him do all the driving and just point out anything you think he needs to know.

Similar sort of scenario that I raised earlier though about complusory licensing. Worries me that anyone with no knowledge at all can just take to the sea putting themselves and others at risk.

Better you go with him, at least you'll have clear conscience. But get the cheque cleared first just in case he frightens himself sh*tless and then decides to renege on the deal once you get to Teddington or wherever you're going to leave him.