Falling in love with your boat

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Reading a post below it was mentioned to never fall in love with a boat. Made me laugh and cry. Ive owned a few boats sank a few boats ok I sank one two others just got washed really well. I have great stories that go on and on. I should put the dunk boat story here for your entertainment. At one point I had a motto to live by which was welded aluminum or I’m not riding in it then I found the ocean And it had to be fiberglass so I broadened my selection to fiberglass as well.

now I own two boats I love one it’s my older boat, I have not dumped a lot of money in it I have done some work to it but i do have an attachment that will always be there. My oldest son uses it a little now it will most likely become his.

which brings us to my now two year old boat. Its a love hate relationship. There were a few things I wanted that made a used boat unavailable after two years searching I got an ok deal on it reality is I got a great deal on it and it will suit my needs well. But it’s now back at the dealer having two more things fixed. The dealers been good to work with but the things that have been wrong with this boat were all stupid and all created by assembly workers that had no FN idea what they were doing. The boat itself is great. Its frustrated me a lot. Mind you I paid more for this boat than I did for my house. I am hoping they find a fix for the last issue which is the largest storage compartment wont drain and every bit of water that lands in the front of the boat ends up in it so I have this huge compartment that is basically a bath tub. The thought now is the drain hose is folded or kinked some where. Most likely yet another access hole is going to be cut somewhere this is the second one. All of its issues have been trivial but maybe not so trivial.

Somehow they managed to fix the cosmetic flaws created by the accessory installers and I can’t tell where the repairs were done. That’s about the only part of this that’s made me what you’d call happy or less pissed off.

I’m writing this post because you guys are right do not fall in love with a boat. I did fall in love with this boat from the first time I saw it. I searched for several years, I had time in fact I’m still a year out from where my real plans in life are. I was going to have to make sacrifices for what I wanted in a boat then at a boat show it was smack dab in the middle of the entrance to one of the exhibit halls. It has every thing I want in a boat. I didn’t buy it for six months went back to see it a number of times. Even before I bought it it kept me up at night. Today I do not love it. Don’t get me wrong I like it a lot and in a few years when I’m wearing the stainless steel props out I’ll have just about forgotten all the trauma it’s put me through. This summer I was walking out to it in the parking lot near the ocean it’s coupled to my brand new dually it’s a beautiful boat and when it’s hooked up to my truck I’m almost ashamed of myself, and I’m thinking back to the 8 foot row boat I fished out of night after night I also had a 14 foot boat at the same time but the 8 footer I kept tied up to a log or a rock a mile from my house I could jump in that boat and go catch a forty pound salmon in the blink of an eye carried a six pack and a fishing rod never had to plan anything just go untie it and row out into the river, I never loved that boat for a second, cost me $125 caught hundreds of steelhead and salmon out of it. Today I suffer from upper middle lower upper class syndrome. I hardly fish any more when I do it’s a process requires planning and effort. Makes me wonder what is wrong with me.

Any way I dropped my boat off yesterday it’s on my mind glad there fixing it without any hassles. I really can’t say anything bad about the dealer or even the manufacturer there working with the dealer to get everything resolved and that parts been painless. I’d just have been through so much less stress if I really had not fallen in love with it. We fixed a lot of that in August I had as many as six fishermen in it and we trashed it drug rods nets and salmon all over it there’s still scales and blood in some of the nooks and crannies it’s got scratches everywhere inside it. Can’t wait to start chipping and scratching it up with dive gear. Ill get over my love for it and it will eventually just be a boat.

thanks for listening

 

[Old Ironmaker]

The same can be said about a Woman. Falling in love with anything can lead to our demise.

 

[PITBoat]

Can’t wait to start chipping and scratching it up with dive gear. Ill get over my love for it and it will eventually just be a boat.

You might like it better in a different way after that.

The elusive search for perfect "stuff" goes on, and we'll never find it. Even brand spanking new. Or perfect people for that matter.

There was an airline pilot named Dave Gwinn that used to write articles for a magazine (other pubs too, prob.), and he said something once that I totally agreed with regarding naming an airplane, thinking of it as a female personality, etc. I wish I could remember more clearly, but it was along the lines of, an airplane is not a woman; it will try to kill you and so forth, and you've gotta approach it as such. Like the serious side of the whole thing should trump any emotional part. Then again maybe he disproved his own argument, lol. No, it was good stuff I thought.

I recently watched a cockpit video of a P-51 Mustang forced landing in GB that's on youtube, and in an sitdown interview later, the pilot said along the lines of, when the engine quits, the airplane has let you down, and it's not time to worry about scratching or breaking it after that...

 

[roffey]

I had several boats that stranded me in the middle of the lake. I was fixing them on a regular bases. I finally sold it and figured I was done with boats. That lasted about a week, lol. I thought to myself I would buy brand new. This was I would have at least 5 years of trouble free boating and there would be a warranty so off to the dealer I went. I'm not going to get into all the trouble I had with the new boat but will say the dealer fixed the issues I had as frustrating as it was. This is the first year I have gone through the season with no break downs...

A mechanic told me once there are no lemons only ones cars that have not been fixed yet.

 

[Pulse186]

I've loved all my boats all were sold for different reasons and the only one I don't miss was the POS GW Invader.

 

[Texasmark]

Thanks guys for your dialogues. I enjoyed browsing through them with my morning coffee.

I had a boat from the time I was 15. Got my drivers license at 14 (for a reason) and used moms car to pull it. That was over 60 years ago and never was without a boat till a few years ago when I donated my current boat to a local fire department who did water rescues and had no boat. I got the idea one day as I was coming off a local lake, they were trying to get their "borrowed" rig running and weren't having any luck.....went over to help them out and was struck with AWE.

The boat was perfect for their work and I didn't want go go through the hassle of selling it. Doing without lasted several years, due to life changes and adjustments but the next thing you know I was running out of things to surf on the www so I started surfing Craigs list looking at farm equipment for sale, since I bought a farm back in 1978 and decided to part with urbania. I did dig a 2 acre pond on it and stock it with Florida Strain Bass (and the trimmings) thinking that would keep me close enough to water that I didn't have to go out that often.

Next thing you know I was in the boat section of CL. Next thing you know I found a used 2002 1750 Crestliner Fish Hawk DC with a Merc. 115 and Heritage trailer with a few things needing fixing (giving me something to do in my retired spare time along with the mental enjoyment of aquatic thoughts) and a great price. Home it came. Without a doubt the best boat I ever owned, layout, power, stability, open layout, smooth-dry riding.

I agree on the having to plan these days vs many years of "if you aren't AT work you are AT boating". On being in love with one, never was exactly; close, but never over the hill. Had a couple of dozen over the years with one Starcraft 18' Holiday I/O that was a good big water boat; the remainder were OBs 1.7 to 125 hp. The I/O taught me that I really didn't like inboards so I never had another. I used to come home from work sometimes and sit in my boat, having a cool brew, and thinking about old times in it, or thinking about what it needed. Really relaxing from a busy, hectic day.

 

[JimS123]

I bought my first boat as a a teenager as well. $165 for a plywood Luger kit and in 3 months (with Grandpa's help) she was in the water.

I "loved" every boat I ever owned. (loved, not "in love with") Every time I sold one I was sad to see it go. We tend to keep things a long time, so there is a treasure trove of memories that went with each one.

But then again, I never bought someone's old junker either. The warranty issues I ever had were so few and far between I can't even remember them. The one that comes to mind was a outboard issue that left me stranded, and that sucker got traded in for a new model the very next day.

The sad part was seeing an old boat of mine a few years after I sold her. She was always garage kept and covered and the new owner left her outside Summer and winter with no cover.

As far as women are concerned, that's where the "in love" part comes. Get a good one and you're set for life. My current fleet is actually "Our" fleet and it would not have been possible without her.

 

[Don't Panic!]

Today I suffer from upper middle lower upper class syndrome. I hardly fish any more when I do it’s a process requires planning and effort. Makes me wonder what is wrong with me.

yeah. I dealt with this on the motorcycle side of things. A simple hobby that had been a part of my life since I could walk became so complicated. It got to where a simple ride consisted of a toyhauler, a truck, a bunch of gear and other crap.

At some point I realized I was passing up good morning rides because the hassle of loading up and getting to the trail was too much work lol. I eventually saw the light and downsized, I'm now hauling a simple old dualsport in the back of my 20 year old van and I can be out of the house in minutes. I could see the same with boats happening, though I'm much newer to the boat game and plan on keeping it simple if I can.

I love all my motorcycles, and they love me. Nothing wrong with that.

the boat and I have not yet come to any kind of agreement on that stuff, I'm still trying to sort my feelings for it...

 

[Texasmark]

yeah. I dealt with this on the motorcycle side of things. A simple hobby that had been a part of my life since I could walk became so complicated. It got to where a simple ride consisted of a toyhauler, a truck, a bunch of gear and other crap.

At some point I realized I was passing up good morning rides because the hassle of loading up and getting to the trail was too much work lol. I eventually saw the light and downsized, I'm now hauling a simple old dualsport in the back of my 20 year old van and I can be out of the house in minutes. I could see the same with boats happening, though I'm much newer to the boat game and plan on keeping it simple if I can.

I love all my motorcycles, and they love me. Nothing wrong with that.

the boat and I have not yet come to any kind of agreement on that stuff, I'm still trying to sort my feelings for it...

What you said applies to old guys too. Back when we were young it was the adventure pulling on you like a vacuum to get out and go....effort /cost it took didn't even enter into the equation.......until the money ran out....but still!

At 78 and doing things alone, it's quite a different story. But I'm back in and work around the inconveniences...."For The Good Times" sake....Ray Price.......it's on U tube.....at his best.

 

[The Force power]

 

[tpenfield]

I love my boat, and there will come a day when I will love someone else to have it

 

[The Force power]

I love my boat, and there will come a day when I will love someone else to have it

Yup! when you're done with it

 

[QBhoy]

Two types of boat owners, as I gather it.

those who have a boat, because they think it would be nice and perhaps have the expendable money to do so...

and

those who have a boat....because it’s in their blood...their make up, their upbringing and having a boat is part of life. Be lost without one. That’s me...I’m as happy in my 3m inflatable with my 8 yammy 2 stroke on the back...as I am in the old mans 42ft Princess flybridge...or anything in between...be it my classic Glastron CVX16 with 150 V6 smoker...fletcher 19ft outboard 4 stroke outboard or the wonderful Campion Chase 550 performance edition. I’m lucky to have these, many friends consider me mad...to me, I consider anyone without a boat mad. Couldn’t live without one. I dare say, many of us on here would think in a similar way.

 

[roffey]

I like taking the boat out to the middle of the lake and just drifting. The radio is off and you can hear the waves hit the side of the boat. The sound it makes under the hull brings me back to my child hood. Bombing around the lake, for the day, all day. I take my grandkids out in the boat now, we go to the end of the lake for treats then off to the beach, its all about creating memories, no TV, computers or cell phones (they don't work on the water).

So maybe the question should be love boating and being out on the water over loving your boat?

 

[Texasmark]

I like taking the boat out to the middle of the lake and just drifting. The radio is off and you can hear the waves hit the side of the boat. The sound it makes under the hull brings me back to my child hood. Bombing around the lake, for the day, all day. I take my grandkids out in the boat now, we go to the end of the lake for treats then off to the beach, its all about creating memories, no TV, computers or cell phones (they don't work on the water).

So maybe the question should be love boating and being out on the water over loving your boat?

This might answer your question: Lake XYZ is your favorite fishing hole, 10 miles long, upgraded, usable ramps on both ends, both protected from wind and have piers and all the trimmings, good ramp slope and depth, nice parking lot......... you usually fish on the end closest to your home but when you go fishing there you drive to the far end, 20 miles out of the way round trip, to launch your boat and use it to get the 10 miles back to your favorite fishing hole..........now I don't suppose any of you ever did that.......naw.....surely "I" wouldn't do something like that wasting all that gasoline, wear and tear on the equipment..........

 

[dingbat]

Two types of boat owners, as I gather it.

those who have a boat, because they think it would be nice and perhaps have the expendable money to do so...

and

those who have a boat....because it’s in their blood...their make up, their upbringing and having a boat is part of life. Be lost without one.

Your missing the third and most prominent group in my circles....a boat is simply a means to an end.

A utilitarian vehicle required to perform a task or chore. The same reason a farmer owns a tractor or a homeowner owns a lawn mower.

They find no “love” for the boat as they break slim ice leaving the creek on the way to tong in the morning.

They find no “love” for the boat while pulling “traps” twice a day when it cold and blowing.

They find no “love” for the boat when the market price of the days catch falls short of the days fuel bill.

These guys and gals the the “real” boaters. They have saltwater running in their vanes.

They don’t hang pictures of their boat(s) in their office. They don’t hang out on the boat tied up at the yacht club on weekends with all their vanity on display.

 

[Texasmark]

Your missing the third and most prominent group in my circles....a boat is simply a means to an end.

A utilitarian vehicle required to perform a task or chore. The same reason a farmer owns a tractor or a homeowner owns a lawn mower.

They find no “love” for the boat as they break slim ice leaving the creek on the way to tong in the morning.

They find no “love” for the boat while pulling “traps” twice a day when it cold and blowing.

They find no “love” for the boat when the market price of the days catch falls short of the days fuel bill.

These guys and gals the the “real” boaters. They have saltwater running in their vanes.

They don’t hang pictures of their boat(s) in their office. They don’t hang out on the boat tied up at the yacht club on weekends with all their vanity on display.

Hat's off to you guys and gals, and especially the crabbers who fish the Bering Sea.....whadda way to make a living.

 

[QBhoy]

Your missing the third and most prominent group in my circles....a boat is simply a means to an end.

A utilitarian vehicle required to perform a task or chore. The same reason a farmer owns a tractor or a homeowner owns a lawn mower.

They find no “love” for the boat as they break slim ice leaving the creek on the way to tong in the morning.

They find no “love” for the boat while pulling “traps” twice a day when it cold and blowing.

They find no “love” for the boat when the market price of the days catch falls short of the days fuel bill.

These guys and gals the the “real” boaters. They have saltwater running in their vanes.

They don’t hang pictures of their boat(s) in their office. They don’t hang out on the boat tied up at the yacht club on weekends with all their vanity on display.

Oh I’m not totally sure on that. Maybe I’m just sad...I was at sea for just over 10 years. Always loved the vessels I sailed on, all be it for commercial purposes. Still miss it.

 

[82rude]

My pops patrolled the north Atlantic in the 50,s in a Canadian tin can .He,s told me some stories that were pretty scary.As for me im a freshwater boater The only boat ive loved was my 17 foot cedarstrip with a 90hp evinrude on her.Due to back issues i had to sell her and get my current 160 ss starcraft oldie.When i retired from the steelplant after 35 years i recieved a 25 grand bonus I treated myself to a month long adventure out to vancouver island and a new 2011 60 hp evinrude etec.I dont love my current boat but i do love that motor!Ive been lusting after a band new boat and will buy one to match my 60.Alumacraft has a 17 footer that i really like and though the 60 is a tad small it will still get the job done easily enough.I wont buy a boat wether new or used till my back probles are adressed as it would really suck to buy something and not be able to handle the impact of minor waves or the simple chore of loading up.

 

[Texasmark]

My pops patrolled the north Atlantic in the 50,s in a Canadian tin can .He,s told me some stories that were pretty scary.As for me im a freshwater boater The only boat ive loved was my 17 foot cedarstrip with a 90hp evinrude on her.Due to back issues i had to sell her and get my current 160 ss starcraft oldie.When i retired from the steelplant after 35 years i recieved a 25 grand bonus I treated myself to a month long adventure out to vancouver island and a new 2011 60 hp evinrude etec.I dont love my current boat but i do love that motor!Ive been lusting after a band new boat and will buy one to match my 60.Alumacraft has a 17 footer that i really like and though the 60 is a tad small it will still get the job done easily enough.I wont buy a boat wether new or used till my back probles are adressed as it would really suck to buy something and not be able to handle the impact of minor waves or the simple chore of loading up.

President Jimmy Carter being interviewed once said: "Yes, I have LUSTED in my heart.............". I too have LUSTED for things. Grin.

I have an on again off again back problem since being a teenager and an accident. It took me most of my life to find this out, but if I could control the "back spasms" associated with activities in which I engaged that made my back hurt, for whatever reason, I could control the pain and minimize both it and the time line till it quit hurting.

I just got back into boating and while out a couple of days ago, I was testing WOT performance on this newly acquired, used boat and hit a good wave and felt a spinal jar which caused my current pain. Regular (OTC wrap around your waist ) back braces, worn till it quits helps to take current strain off the disc and Ibuprofen and/or Aleve (taken per bottle directions) control the spasms. I have a farm and those activities keep pressure on my back but this will pass with me being careful and life will go on....good as new.....till I do it again.......and I will, it's just when!

With that said, progress posted on this site, I have decided that this time my boating preference is a soft ride. The 17.5 ft Crestliner Fish Hawk was my choice because it is what it is, especially since it's deep enough to have a pedestal seat at the helm....which allows you to use your legs to assist in absorbing shocks, and it became available on Craigs list for me to purchase, had all of what I thought I wanted at my age and I now have it setup to primarily run in the 20-25 mph "cruising" range where back damage should be controllable.........as long as I stay off the big water and WOT...but I know I will back up there, just have to pick the right time and place. Grin.

Your 60 Etech on a 16 footer might be just the thing, better than the Starcraft hull....having owned a '65 18' Holiday I/O which was a good, soft riding boat.

Good luck.