Boating and Drinking???

[Muddog]

The law in a nut shell says. You can not operate a motor vehicle in the state of Mn under the influence of alcohol.

[WyoChris]

I often drink beers when ice fishing and open water fishing. There is nothing wrong with it, you just have to think ahead and make sure you have a sober driver.

[walleye4]

I'm totally AGAINST alchohol on the water. Don't allow it in my boat. Not against drinking cause I like a cold one now & then but see no use for it on the water!!

This happened on a lake @ night that I do alot of night fishing on. I have had a few close calls with drunks leaving the bar in boats, NOT COOL!!!!!!!!!

[caseymcq]

To each their own.

I personally like to either fish or drink. I typically can't do both at the same time. One gets in the way of the other.

[Chode2235]

To each their own.

I personally like to either fish or drink. I typically can't do both at the same time. One gets in the way of the other.

x2. My thoughts exactly. I have a tough enough time back trolling without having to worry about my drink...

[Far-I]

That sounds pretty scary. I think I'll quit drinking, no maybe I'll quit fishing and boating all togather. I can't figure out what to do. I wish I was in my boat with a cold beer, I can always think better in my boat with a cold beer.

Hahaha...i love having a few beers while i'm out fishing. as long as i don't drink more than 1 per hour i am sure i stay under the legal limit. No safety concerns here..i am responsbile and often times have my son in the boat with me. everything in moderation right? beer and fishing go hand in hand for me.

[para1911]

I don't drink while boating. Sometimes I have my family with me and as much as I like a cold one it isn't worth a ticket or the life of my daughter. Feel free to drink while fishing with me, I'll catch up when the keys are put away for the night.

Beer makes me have to pee and that cuts into my fishing time. NOT aceptable!

[yaggie]

There is a huge difference between drinking in a boat and getting drunk. When we fish my fishing partners do drink and some my drink too much. I also will have a beer or two But I would not worry about being tested I know there have been times when I would not want some of my fishing partners in control of a row boat much less an outboard. It is not drinking that would be the problem it is the amount that is drunk. I would rather face an oncoming boat with a driver that has had two beers rather than a person lighting a cigaret while talking on a cell phone. And this I have seen more than once.

[metrojoe]

I occasionally bring 6 or 8 beers to share with a buddy or two while I'm out fishing, but not every time, and in most cases I wait until I get home. I don't mind a few beers in the boat as long as it's not the primary reason for being on the water.

[Black_Bay]

I have to laugh at some of the responses claiming that they don't drink because it cuts into fishing. Don't think I'm ridiculing anyone but when did drinking alcohol become a strenuous activity requiring concentration? I mean what's the difference between sipping on a bottle of water, cup of coffee, can of pop, or a beer? Having said that I totally agree with being safe on the water and respect people who don't want others to drink while in their boats.

[machohorn]

I drink beer, water , coffee, pop, I also eat, smoke, and nap every now and then, I fish hard when I fish, I also fish easy when I want, Sometimes I only fish an hour or so, too much to do with the family/friends other times I am on the water for 20 hours a day for 4 days. The only sure thing is and that is my boat never leaves the dock with out a cooler full of food, pop, water and beer because I never know when I will be back.

[titelines]

Maybe it's age or something, but I don't really drink at all when I'm fishing anymore.

When I was 18 and "indestructible", I drank more than my fair share in the boat. I also used to drink pretty heavily when ice fishing. I find myself being more serious about fishing now, and I want to keep my head about me. I find that I can wait until I get back home. It's not just in the boat, it's the drive home too.

Nowadays, I rarely go fishing with any liquor in the boat. I'll bring a 6-pack when we're pleasure cruising, or watching fireworks or something. Just don't do it when fishing.

Don't care if anyone else does or not, as long as they're responsible about it and don't put me in danger.

[caseymcq]

... but when did drinking alcohol become a strenuous activity requiring concentration?

When your Irish and/or you drink like it

[bottomdweller]

dat dare is funny

[crappiekid]

this is one of the craziest posts ever. Bottom Line is this.

SOME people that work hard every day look forward to enjoying the great outdoors. If it is hunting fishing boating what ever.. TO some people (including me) part of that enjoyment involves a cold Alcoholic beverage! (I don't hunt)my opinion is you have earned that beverage if so desired! BUT BE RESPONSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont hurt others around you!!!!!!!Clean up after yourself!

[Bottle Fish]

With a name like crappiekid you probably shouldn't be drinking at all. Are you sure you are old enough?

By the way I fully agree with you.

[Raider4ever]

Yes. If you are old enough to imbibe your new Frat name should be "Crappieageofmajority". Or, "Flounder" (gotta love that movie).

[Bottle Fish]

What movie is that?

[Black_Bay]

Originally Posted By: Black_Bay

... but when did drinking alcohol become a strenuous activity requiring concentration?

When your Irish and/or you drink like it

I am. Irish that is.

[JeffB]

What movie is that?

Animal House

[BoxMN]

off topic, sorry...

Originally Posted By: Bottle Fish

What movie is that?

Animal House

Oh Bottle Fish, if you haven't seen Animal House then you probably haven't seen Stripes and won't know the quote, "Lighten up Francis". Worth your time to go rent both if you haven't seen them. Have some bottle bass with you when you watch

[PikeBayCommanche]

When ever I am having a few beers on the boat it is never when I am transporting the boat anywhere but back to my lift and is usually at night when trolling for eyes. That being said I rarely ever go more than 5 mph all the way back in. Just troll the raps home.

It is the idiots that get all loaded and scream across the lake with recklessness and stupidity. This is why I stay off the popular lakes that have lots of traffic.

[DREZLER]

VERY GOOD POST CRAPPIE KID!

[LightningBG]

It is 100% legal to drink in a boat, driving or not, as long as you are under the legal limit of .08. All open container laws are limited to motor vehicles (which a boat is not considered) operating on roads or highways. Statute to follow.

As for if people dont allow it in their boat. Fine, do whatever, no skin off my back.

[LightningBG]

169A.35 OPEN BOTTLE LAW.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

As used in this section:

(1) "alcoholic beverage" has the meaning given it in section 340A.101, subdivision 2;

(2) "distilled spirits" has the meaning given it in section 340A.101, subdivision 9;

(3) "motor vehicle" does not include motorboats in operation, or off-road recreational vehicles except when being operated on a roadway or shoulder of a roadway that is not part of a grant-in-aid trail or trail designated for that vehicle by the commissioner of natural resources;

(4) "possession" means either that the person had actual possession of the bottle or receptacle or that the person consciously exercised dominion and control over the bottle or receptacle; and

(5) "3.2 percent malt liquor" has the meaning given it in section 340A.101, subdivision 19.

Subd. 1a.Alcoholic beverage, distilled spirit, 3.2 malt liquor; determination.

For purposes of this section only, when determining whether a beverage is an alcoholic beverage, a distilled spirit, or 3.2 percent malt liquor:

(1) "alcohol by volume" means milliliters of alcohol per 100 milliliters of beverage; and

(2) "alcohol by weight" means grams of alcohol per 100 grams of beverage.

Subd. 2.Drinking and consumption; crime described.

It is a crime for a person to drink or consume an alcoholic beverage, distilled spirit, or 3.2 percent malt liquor in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a street or highway.

Subd. 3.Possession; crime described.

It is a crime for a person to have in possession, while in a private motor vehicle upon a street or highway, any bottle or receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage, distilled spirit, or 3.2 percent malt liquor that has been opened, or the seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.

Subd. 4.Liability of nonpresent owner; crime described.

It is a crime for the owner of any private motor vehicle or the driver, if the owner is not present in the motor vehicle, to keep or allow to be kept in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a street or highway any bottle or receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage, distilled spirit, or 3.2 percent malt liquor that has been opened, or the seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.

Subd. 5.Criminal penalty.

A person who violates subdivisions 2 to 4 is guilty of a misdemeanor.