One Boat Is Not Enough

Some folks say that you can’t really love an inanimate object. If we show love by spending time and money on something (a definition my wife tends to use!), most RV owners are in love. We spend a good chunk of income repairing, cleaning and upgrading our mobile vacation properties. Those of us who are also boat owners suffer from the same infatuation!

Each spring I find myself uncovering, cleaning, fixing, and paying for services to get my “fishing platforms” back in the water. There are so many boats in yards, marinas and carports these days that someone must want them. But like kittens and puppies, they oft times are neglected and abused. Nothing makes a true boater sadder than seeing some old hulk, once a proud vessel, rotting in a yard or at moorage.

Restoring Boats
But I can appreciate the effort involved in keeping them up. I’ve never owned a new boat. The price of new boats and motors spooks me, and I prefer to find an older style I like and keep it afloat. My newest boat, a 22-foot 1972 Carver, is a lovely fishing craft, has a nice cabin, an easy-care fiberglass hull, and enough bright work, (wood trim for the uninitiated!) to give it a warm feel. It belonged to an old buddy, since gone to the great fishing grounds, who had been unable to keep it up.

A mutual friend, Chuck, who dearly loves restoring boats, rebuilt the decks, applied love, paint and varnish, and got it bright and shiny again. I got a great price, and for just a couple of thousand a year, can keep it stored, moored and operational!

Now remember, this is my “new” boat!

My old girl is a 1965 Cruisers Inc. 18-foot outboard. Chuck found it stored and abandoned, but basically solid, got it real cheap, and started applying his magic. When I saw the beautiful lapstreak siding and lovely oak ribs, I was hooked. Thank God it was in good shape. Restoring a little boat like that can get crazy. From a Web site devoted to restoring boats of that ilk, I learned that the owner of one of the abused “Cruisers” of that era could plan on putting eight grand into a new bottom alone, or $15,000 into a complete restoration! Since I only paid about $3,500 for my pretty boat with a couple of operational motors, you can see why upkeep is a good investment!

Different Needs
Why did I need a second boat? As any boat owner can tell you, you always need another boat! It’s sort of like fishing rods. Some are best for big waters, some will get you into shallows and tiny streams, some are big enough to sleep and camp in or to haul a bunch of your buddies, while little ones are easier to get around for 360-degree casting and fishing. You might need a fast one for skiing and tubing, or one that cruises slowly for good mileage and gentle trolling. The real question isn’t why do you need two, but how can you get by with so few?