Sorry guys - but I have to disagree
If it was a language barrier with someone - then I understand and apologize. Otherwise - I dont get it.
Zieg - notice your natural inclination was to say that you have been "RUNNING" boats - which is fine.....
I just think that with experience, and training - usually the accurate description and terminology is used - in any area. To make poor nautical language acceptable would be analogous to those who tried to legitimize ebonics as a language, instead of improper english.
To each his own, I guess. Call it what you want, and what you feel comfortable with. I would be willing to be that you guys that truely do run boats, usually refer to the correct terminology 99% of the time, even if you are comfoftable with those who do not.
Just my experience being around boats my whole life.
Im not saying that if someone is on my boat - I correct them for saying LEFT instead or PORT...because I dont. In fact - when Im talking to people that I know dont have a clue, I try to say "its on the Port, or left side" so they understand what Im asking for....
I just dont think you "drive" a boat for any more than a couple years......after that, you realize that you are "running" the boat, "captaining the boat", "handling the boat", etc.....
And for the record, if I tried to put a large single screw boat in a slip without a bow thruster, and with a strong wind or current.......I would feel like I did a long time ago when I did "drive" my boat.....and everyone watched and laughed as I got back to the dock!!!
I also find it interesting how people come on here and talk about diving and use a single wrong word in a post......and you see DOZENS of replies that basically say " if you call it that you dont have enough training and you are going to kill yourself.....get more training"...... But for some reason with boating, where you not only have your life that you are responsible for, but others as well......we look at it differently.