www.iFourWinns.com

ahaha! In light of the fact that I haven't sen you on the water in over a year I didn't even think it was necessary to mention you! .

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

I'm in agreement with Millhaven on this one, but I think also just talking to the guy and letting him know that you guys like to boat as a family and he's taging on a little too much. I know it's easy for us to say, but I think because we can look at it from the outside it's easier for us to be right.

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2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP

What a sticky problem to have. The thing I hate the most about situations like this is, it puts us good guys in the position of having to be bad guys. I resent that more than I can say.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Cheap and simple plan.

1. Invest in a snorkel and diving mask. During raft up, pull bilge plug and drop at bottom of lake/river.

2. Afterward, quickly (but very subtly) untie lines so that you are not connected to them.

Problem solved. Repeat as necessary.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

This is some funny stuff. I love the nudity advise. I too thought of this when the friends of Jesus knocked at my door. I practice religion but not on my front portch. Being a Deputy Sheriff for over 30 years has forced me to learn to be very blunt. Some may not like this, but you know right now what's on my mind. I agree with many and tell him you are not interested in boating with him EVERY FREAKIN MINUTE OF THE DAY!!!!!!!!

Or you could buy a boat that he does not recognize. This could become rather costly though.

The pump shotgun that the Cap'n suggested would also work but you may have to come in contact with a guy like me if you do. :

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

This is a tough one since he is a neighbor as well. I would just explain to him that you bought a boat to spend quality time with your family and I am sure he will understand why you don't want him tagging along. You may still have to put up with him at home, but at least you have your boating weekends back.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Thanks guys...I realize being blunt is the best course of action. But...like I said he lives in my neighborhood. I am the only one he does this to from what I have seen...lucky me. But if I tell him to take a hike. Like I said before it get construed differently from people who do not have to deal with this guy and I look like an A**hole.

I will try and lay some hints and see what happens but not holding out much hope right now.

Do you always have to throw anchor when you go out? If he stalks you just keep cruising, tubing or whatever. IF that doesn't work try the the "hey we'll be anchored at this spot and don't show up" trick.

Also don't be afraid to just be honest and let him know you really are going out just for family time. Follow that up with offering a certain date to "raft up together". Keeping that date or rescheduling over and over again is up to you.

As far as kids (as a dad myself) I would say feel free to tell his kid what the rules are on your boat. If he can't follow them he has to stay on his own boat. If the dad protests just be straight up with him that you have rules for your kids on the boat and you expect his to follow them also if we are to be on lake together.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

Tell the guy straight up how it is. You have a boat to enjoy family time. You occasionally like to raft-up and hang with others, but mostly its family bonding time. It stinks you live in the same neighborhood as him, it'll make it all the more difficult.

We're about 50/50 on alone time/rafting up. Its nice to raft up with a great group of people, but then some quality alone family time cannot be beat!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

If all else fails invite him and his wife to your "Coming Out Party". Tell him that you are a member of a secret group that is waiting for the mother ship to arrive from Galaxy 5 to take you to another planet where you will help rule the universe. Suggest that you have other bizarre beliefs on politics, religion, economics, child punishment, police powers of shoot-on-suspicion, forced genetic modification of humans, and social engineering based on ant colonies.

He may leave you alone at that point. That way the more nasty tactics such as open nudity, firearm use, running and hiding, sabotaging to his boat, "RAMMING SPEED" maneuvers, missed get-togethers, and direct conformation are all avoided.

Gosh, now that I think about it, maybe that's the reason why no one will go boating with ME anymore.

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2006 Sundowner 255, 5.7 GXi, 320 hp
"Simply Irresistible"

Don't forget to bring you tin foil hats!

Try: "Hey, you guys gonna swing with us or what?"

Actually, I would lean toward the "hey man, we really are just wanting to have some family time this trip". Then the next time just tell him how much you enjoyed that and plan to repeat it.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

The family time idea is great when you are just one boat, but what about when you are rafted up with 2 or 3 "real friends", and you don't want his disfunctional family tied up to your group. How would you get that through his thick skull ?

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Answer: :Hey this is my cousin Jim, his wife & thats her sister and husband and so on.... "family time"

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I just had a genious moment . . . Find out what kind of music he HATES and crank it up!! If he's a country boy then some hardcore .50 cent or Jay Z with all the explicit lyrics might do the trick. Or if he's into that, bring on Kenny Chesney. Hell, I get annoyed when my close friends play their classic re-wind of Bob Seager all day. No offense to you classic rock guys!!

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

Last year I had some children pilfering my cabin area. I announced to the parents " I hope they don't mess with my gun it's loaded you know". They had this look on their face and removed the children forthwith. Did I really have a loaded gun in the cabin ah no. Worked for me!

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180