Why do you boat?

[Teamster]

If I lived a couple hours west of here on the BIG RIVER I think my boating style would change. Though I also find it funny that those that live on the waterfront have bigger boats that never seem to leave the dock.

So long as that big tub has a kitchen, head and sleeping quarters it qualifies as a second residence and the mortgage is tax deductible,..........Nothing more than a floating cabin,...........

I think you could do some pretty serious fishing right in and near the harbor in Milwaukee, At least the fishing shows make it look that way,...

 

[Ray1958]

Seems to be lots of 14' Lunds in this thread. I have one as well, a 1975 Lund14R with a 50 hp Evinrude. I fish, therefore I have a boat. I fish everywhere from Shelbyville in Central Illinois, to Kentucky Lake to Winnebago in Wisconsin ...It's a quiet time listening to the loons out there for us guys nearing retirement. Besides, its a paid for hobby that really doesn't cost that much to maintain, and a 6 gallon fuel tank will last all day.

Ray

 

[bobdec]

Ability to escape to the water has been a lifetime passion. You will find as you family lifestyle changes your boating needs will also. When that happens it's time to sell the old boat and move and try something that fits better. Key is not to have any strings attached to current boat. Spouse and I save money in a boat fund for repairs or moving up on next buy. We always buy used and pay cash with intentions to sell and change boats when the we want to without any financial obligations. Started with 14 ft speedboat for two of us, to a 19 ft cutty water sports with the young kids, to a 26 cruiser pre- teen to late teen kids and friends for skiing, cruising, swimming, Then kids off to college and back to a 19 cutty , then a 24 cruiser for two, young grand kids came along so a 32 ft pontoon for fishing, cruising and beaching. Now grand kids have moved up to water sports and it's a 20 ft walkaround for that, plus fishing and cruising for the two of us. My guess is as grand kids move on we will be back up to the 25 ft range within a few years, like the idea of a stand-up head and small galley at his time in life. Always had PWC and kayaks along with, and in-between boats to fill in the gaps.

 

[bonz_d]

I think you could do some pretty serious fishing right in and near the harbor in Milwaukee, At least the fishing shows make it look that way,...

I'm only about 40 minutes away from Kenosha harbor or Winthrop Harbor marina and there is a lot of good fishing in that area. Problem is I hate fighting the traffic thru town to get there. Had a friend I worked with that used to take his 14' Lowe just outside the breakwater there.
I think part of my problem comes from the new job and just no time to get out and enjoy myself. Seems Like I've been working 6 days a week for the past 3 years and just too tired during the week to pull the boat down to the lake for a couple hours and then have to pull it back out and put it away.

 

[Tnstratofam]

I love to be on the water. The Admiral loves to be on the water. Doesn't matter if we're fishing, cruising, or just anchored off in a cove, we just love to be at the lake. We are fortunate in that we can trailer our boat to three lakes in less than 30 minutes, and can reach about 5 more within about an hour and a half. When we retire I think we may try to get a house on the lake. Boating has been a part of our lives for several years, even though we've only been together for about 7. I'm a lucky guy in that our interests match up really well. Especially the boating and outdoor side. Why do we boat? Because we're together and we love it!

 

[moosehead]

It's all about the water, and the bountiful treasures it brings. Solace, adventure, scenery, peace, excitement, light, reflection, wildlife, escape and so on.

Our vessels are means to get us to and through the water, and the endless activities it brings as extentions. Doesn't matter if it's power, sail, or self-propulsion, they all allow us to be on the water. Fishing, water sports, cruising, swimming, camping, sightseeing, photogs, travel are just another means to enjoy the water. We all enjoy it immensly, whether it be solo, with our most loved friends and family, or with strangers.

I love the progression of boats described above in a lifetime. Strangely, we all seem to enjoy the maintenance and tinkering, even if we grumble about it.

It's a heck of a gift, eh? Great thread.

 

[thumpar]

I guess we are kind of spoiled with the lakes around here. Our normal lake is a reservoir. It is 11 miles from our hose to the launch. From the launch to the dam it is 25 miles so there is plenty of things to do. We have many other to choose from. There are probably 10 or more within an hour. Coeur d' Alene is one of them. That is where a bunch of stars hang out.

 

[bonz_d]

While reading these responses and about the Great Lakes it made me think of the charter boats we've been on. The Captains that run those boats are doing it for a living and they enjoy what they are doing. Those were great experiences and I still have photos in the top of my tool box at work to remind me, not so much of the trip but of the people I was with.

 

[jc55]

It's all about the water, and the bountiful treasures it brings. Solace, adventure, scenery, peace, excitement, light, reflection, wildlife, escape and so on.

Our vessels are means to get us to and through the water, and the endless activities it brings as extentions. Doesn't matter if it's power, sail, or self-propulsion, they all allow us to be on the water. Fishing, water sports, cruising, swimming, camping, sightseeing, photogs, travel are just another means to enjoy the water. We all enjoy it immensly, whether it be solo, with our most loved friends and family, or with strangers.

I love the progression of boats described above in a lifetime. Strangely, we all seem to enjoy the maintenance and tinkering, even if we grumble about it.

It's a heck of a gift, eh? Great thread.

Great post. The water brings something different during each outing.

 

[bspeth]

Spending time on the water with my family,kids are too young for skiing.We just cruise,putt,or swim and listen to the radio.Lets us get away from the crowd.I have also enjoyed learing how to maintain a boat.

 

[nwcove]

Roe vs Wade?? :lol:

 

[four winns 214]

I'm a cruiser and watersports boater. Fished a lot in high school from my 12' jon boat that I car-topped. Didn't boat for many years after high school and college. Too many competing interests, mainly flying, which turned into a career. Starting when when my daughters were 8-12, rented boats once or twice a summer. After renting got to be a hassle, with trepidation, I bought an older 21' Sea Ray cuddy when the girl were late teens. They loved it and it turned into favorite family thing.


The next year I bought a 21' Four Winns deckboat which better fit the family's interests, watersports, swimming, sun, but I kept the Sea Ray. My older daughter used the Sea Ray a lot after graduating from college. I kept it in a slip on Kentucky Lake for her as a "thank you" for her hard work academically. I never had to write a check for college. Scholarships paid for everything. A couple years later, she used it for the send off after her wedding.


I also still use the cuddy a lot. I've taken it on five long river trips totaling 2,200 miles. I just like to cruise and see what's around the next bend. It's similar to why I got into flying- to see things and go places.

My only regret relating to boats is that I didn't buy one when my girls were younger.

 

[dingbat]

How can you live on the Chesapeake Bay and not own a boat?

The Chesapeake Bay offers 11,684 miles of shoreline littered with prehistorical and historical sites to explore. Not to mention world-class dining and recreation opportunities galore.

Follow the Captain John Smith historical Historic trail (waterway) with over 3,000 miles of water trails. Fish a world class fishery in the morning then stop off on the way back and search Calvert Cliffs for the remains of Megalodon.

Head over to Ego Alley in Annapolis for an evening dinner or take the kids to enjoy the festivities of Tilghman Island Day. Spend a day at the Chesapeake Bay maritime museum or shopping the boutiques St. Micheal's. with your wife. Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the National aquarium is just a short hop up the Bay from the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Head down to Backwater National wildlife refuge with a kayak and spend the afternoon wondering the miles of water trails in search of the 165 threatened and endangered plants and animals that call the reserve home. Then head on down to Crisfield, home of the national Hard crab derby, to see over 400 crabs compete in the annual crab race.

Getting bored...round the tip of Delmarva Peninsula and your in the Atlantic. Head up the coast to Assateague National seashore to see the wild horses. Spend the night in Ocean City, Md. before heading up the Delaware Bay to take the Chesapeake and Delaware canal back to the upper Chesapeake.

Boating opportunities in the area are endless......no trailers required

 

[Volphin]

I like taking long cruises and discovering new areas or marinas. I also fish quite a bit.

 

[sbooy42]

Too many lakes with in a couple miles to not boat... Fishing, skiing, just hanging out etc. It was only 2 years after we moved here that we realized we need a boat...now have 3

 

[Ryan50]

Because it keeps me sane! No better way to beat the stresses of life than the relaxation that comes with being on the water. Cruising, fishing, swimming, water sports, or just taking the boat to dinner on the Harbor. My family and I love it. We also enjoy entertaining friends with the boat. The season is pretty much over and the kids are more bummed than I am.

 

[MH Hawker]

Simple really, to get away from idiots

 

[Starcraft5834]

I like to fish......and having a boat gives me, family and friends lake front property all NYS Finger Lakes.. minus the taxes.....

 

[saumon]

Simple really, to get away from idiots

Then you must not use any public ramps, right?

If it wasn't of fishing, I probably wouldn't have bought any boats...

 

[MH Hawker]

Then you must not use any public ramps, right? 😊

If it wasn't of fishing, I probably wouldn't have bought any boats...

I keep my boat slipped at a private marine and its the only one on the lake but the single ramp is public so its not a idiot free experience but its sure reduced