Why Do You Own a Boat?

[Pete]

Have you ever taken a minute or two and asked yourself why you own or want to own a boat? I am not sure I know the answer for myself. My problem started back in 1968. As a young man with a wife pregnant with our first child, we were invited out on a less than 20 foot plywood cuddy cabin driven by an old 2 cycle outboard. My wife got sea sick, the station wagon exhaust problem was terrible, the water was rough for this size boat, etc. The stage was set for a quick conclusion between the wife and I, that this was not for us. But, my reaction was, I have got to have one of these! That Fall we bought a 25' Trojan Sea Raider, the first of the Trojan fiberglass hulls, with a wood and vinyl cabin. Took me til 1976 to decide that any Hatteras was better than any other boat. That is when we bought a one year old 36 Convertible. And as they say, the rest is history. Ever think of what the total cost of ownership is per hour of cruising time? I don't as I do not want to know just how foolish this is. But I have to have a boat, in fact our current boat. I have no control over the urge/addiction. Thankfully, it is legal!

Pete

 

[Capt K]

I've been on boats since I was two years old. We had wooden Owens, wooden Chris Crafts, wooden Trojans, fiberglass Trojans,a Taiwan Vist Motoryacht, and a couple of Hatts!

This list goes from me and the parents to me and my family, over the years.

There is no rhyme or reason to this madness. It really is a sickness, and there is NO cure. Fortunately, we are at the bottom of most lists from the large drug companies to find a cure!


We will just keep on doing what we can to survive.

Capt K

 

[shark 1007]

It is indeed an obsession. I don't understand it, I just live with it. Unfortunately, I have the same obsession with cars. My worst was when I was delivering a black 1998 S500 benz to it's new owner and I stopped in that car to look at a white 1998 S500 I saw on the side of the road.

A for sale sign on a boat will stop me cold. I have a 1958 Curley Craft Mahogany planked runabout in the garage, mid project, a 20 SeaRay in the slings out back, an 18 Maverick at the condo in Canaveral, a 25 Robalo in the Abacos, a 34C Hatt. a 41C Hatt and a 38 Special Bertram and I still crane my neck at a for sale sign and watch the ebay ads like a nurse in intensive care watches the monitors.

If had to explain, I'd say that what I do for a living doesn't produce a lot of thanks, nothing is ever over. Cases get appealed, people behave embarrasingly and are generally are unhappy. In contrast, when I finish a boat project, I can point to something tangible that I've done, it looks pretty (usually) and while working on it, I thought of nothing else.

If anyone finds a cure, don't tell me, I'm happy here.

 

[Boatsb]

I own a boat to give me a feeling of calm and accomplishment. It used to also keep my blood pressure normal but thats another story. Like Roger I would not ever want to change it.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Like many of you, my addiction started at an early age. In fact, it may have been inherited. My grandfather always had a boat or two and my dad grew up around them. When I was 5, I remember our first family boat, a new Reinell. That didn't last long and my dad bought a 36' Chris Craft Cavilier. Next came a Gulfstar trawler, a 43 DC Hatt, 49 Gulfstar MY, etc, etc.

As a teenager, I was fortunate to have been part of the family crew for the Great Loop trip, although I didn't know it was even called that. I was the kid who could tell you what boat was on the horizon, it's make, size, etc, before most could even see it.

Now that I am a father and own my dream boat, I try to carry on that same tradition with my kids. They seem to like the boat, but I don't know for sure if this same affliction will be passed on. The older they get, the more fun it is to watch them learn and pick up on the proper way to tie a line, navigation, and so on.

I can't really explain why I like it so much, but I often catch myself with a big grin on my face as I approach the boat after being away for a while. It just feels right.

 

[captddis]

As a kid I could tell what make a boat on the horizon was. Now they all look the same. I used to know brands by sound of the exhaust. I can still hear a Hatt or Chris Craft.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

As a kid I could tell what make a boat on the horizon was. Now they all look the same. I used to know brands by sound of the exhaust. I can still hear a Hatt or Chris Craft.

Cars all look the same today as well. In fact, they kinda look like boats, and clorox bottles, and tennis shoes.

 

[sgharford]

Growing up on Long Island - I found early on that being on the water was the only place one could really get away from everything in a very short amount of time. Nothing like a long stretch of water between you and everything else - quite a difference from the Long Island Expressway! Closest thing I have come to it is riding a motorcycle thru the desert (Neveda, So. Cal) at 90+ mph for hours on end with no one else in site for hours at a time. The desert is allot like the sea in it's vastness- it's all so good!

 

[Walter P]

Guys,

All your posts tell the reasons we love our boats. Some of us have been addicted since childhood, others are relatively new to our obsession - either way, we share a common passion that is very difficult to put into words.

Myself - I like doing stuff on a boat as much as cruising. My projects are less intensive as I get older and less flexible, but I still look forward to spring commissioning, sitting around shooting the breeze with fellow boaters etc. Boat ownership, especially the kind we of the forum experience is not a passing fancy, it is in fact a way of life.

My friends and relatives are all on notice that I am not available for weddings, funerals, christenings, bar mitvahs or any other non boating activity during the NJ boating season.

Walt

 

[aquacraig@shaw.ca]

Like many Hatt owners, I boat because I always have...but also because it's a place to ride to on my Harley, a destination to get away from business, a place where a small tv with bad reception is fun to watch, a place where the weather is really important, where the wharfinger is my best friend, where I'm glad to talk to mechanics and because it's always great when things go well! That's enough for me and the Admiral.

Craig in BC

 

[Bertramp]

1. I don't own a boat ... it owns me
2. It's an addiction .... healthier than drugs, but almost definitely not cheaper
3. I'm a glutton for punishment
4. Been playing boat since I was about 10

 

[sofarelli]

My personal addiction began aboard my Dad's 15' Glaspar
in Long Island. Much like a crack baby, I never had a chance.
From there, we had a 20' sea ray, 25' Broadwater, 26' Pacemaker.
After the move to Florida ,he then went back a 20' Searay, 30'
Trojan, 34' Mainship, and now a 42' Searay.
My personal struggle followed a different course. I would like to think
that my demons were a little more refined. Afterall, I had a head start
on dear old Dad. I started w/ a canoe, a windsurfer, a 17' Shamrock,
a 22' Searay, and now a 32' Hatteras.
Unlike many addicts, I embrace the lifestyle and accept the fact
that it consumes me and will not release me.
Mike
(no 12 step program for me)
"Hattitude"

 

[thoward]

For me, the boat is a means to indulge my love of activity on/in the water. I grew up watersking, swimming, fishing, snorkling, and scuba diving. The boat never really mattered, I had as much, if not more, fun with the 13' Whaler as I did with the 60C.

 

[sgharford]

Much like a crack baby, I never had a chance.

Ohhh SNAP - that's some analogy!

 

[34Hatt]

1. I don't own a boat ... it owns me
2. It's an addiction .... healthier than drugs, but almost definitely not cheaper
3. I'm a glutton for punishment
4. Been playing boat since I was about 10

LOL

Right on the mark except I got started at 1...

 

[SKYCHENEY]

For me, the boat is a means to indulge my love of activity on/in the water. I grew up watersking, swimming, fishing, snorkling, and scuba diving. The boat never really mattered, I had as much, if not more, fun with the 13' Whaler as I did with the 60C.

I'll have to agree that my 13' Whaler may have been my favorite boat. I sure had fun with that skiing, fishing, and running out in the big lake in 10+ footers while the by-standers looked on in horror.

 

[Sparky1]

I got hooked at an early age as well and had my first boat at age 10. It was a 12' Arkansas Traveler jon boat with a 3hp Evinrude. I used to run it at slow speeds to make a large wake while wishing it were a bigger boat. Now I cruise my big boat at slow speeds wishing it were a jon boat loaded with the cash I've spent on boats since then.

 

[CCGreg]

All,

Funny thing this thread got started, I was wondering yesterday why I love boats and water so much. My slip rent is due at end of Feb and busines is SLOW. How am I going to do it??? But I will, like I always do, figure it out, cause I've got to be on the water. It's in me.

I've got a rear main oil leak to deal with, maintenence ,
and everything else that goes with it. Always something, but like you folks,wouldn't have it any other way.

Food tastes better on the boat, even if its burned. Smiles come easier, way better sunsets, and the kids are happy and close by and not causing trouble.

If somebody found a cure for this, would you take it?

CC

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

my introduction began when i was 5 or 6. my uncle kept his old 45' woody behind my grandparents house in babylon. used to love going on it, i still remember how safe it felt at night with dim lights and warm wood interior. the family stories (legendary now) of him piloting hords of his friends over to flynns and somehow making it back without running aground when they couldn't stand. that was the beginning of the indoctrination, he also worked on moran tugs. what an adventure that was for a 8 or 9 year old. my grandfather used to take me to some broken down pier, where you would have to jump a few open abysis' with missing planks looking down at the rushing water. we would work our way across the pier to the end where the tug was tied and hop on. i think of traversing that pier now as a parent and shudder, then i shudder again. probably why my father never joined us on our excursions. cookie was the cooks name, innocence is wonderful isn't it? my favorite place was just under the bow fender, looking up at the captain as the spray came over the top. how could i not own a boat...

 

[NAN-PO 41]

I also was a Boat " Crack " baby. My parents came from Nova Scotia and Dad was a Master Boatbuilder. We always had a boat in the family and one of my earliest recollections was learning to box the compass under Dad's tutelage. My siblings and I were taught to run a boat by old school methods and they have served us well. My son is as addicted as I am, graduated Mass Maritime Academy and serves as Chief Mate on a tanker. I am pleased to announce that the other night my two grandsons cornered me and wanted to know when we were going on Nana's boat again and when I was taking them fishing on their boat again. (They have taken ownership of the 11' Whaler and are 4 and 51/2 years old.) The saga continues, a whole family of boat addicts and I couldn't be happier about it. If there ever is a cure I too will pass.
Fred