Why did you buy a boat in the first place and why did you feel the urge to “move up” to a bigger boat? This topic intrigues me as in my life I have met those that don’t care a gulls cry about boating, don’t like the water, hate the sun, have a fear of drowning in the water with creatures unseen. I’ve heard landlubbers snigger, “Why would I want to go out on a boat, are you kidding? I’d rather do pushups.” These people are everywhere; you may know a few of them.
I have been boating on lakes, rivers and the ocean since I was five with a few years of inactivity in between, with heavy wooden rowboats, lateen and sloop rigged sailboats, a 17 foot runabout and a few years back a 26 foot cruiser we treated like a small house, a cottage on the water. We filled it with everything we thought we'd need given any special circumstance that might arise no matter how inconsequential.
At first, I have to admit, we didn't know what we might need so we prepared ourselves with everything; inverter, inflator/deflator for our dinghy, outboard motor, dinghy gas, tools, extra lines, shore power cord, fan, TV, grill, rafts, noodles, coolers, extra food, beverages, you get the picture. A lot of these "necessities" found a place in the aft cabin and we were constantly shuffling and pealing away to find whatever wasn't on top.
To ameliorate this affliction, this "overabundant superfluity", we bought a bigger boat. We've found a way to fill that up too, but at least we have a bit more breathing room. I don't blame my wife as many husbands will do, I contribute to the problem as well, but I'm more aware of what this can lead to, I'm usually the one driving the boat, which really digs in when we throttle up.
In spite of the fact that I was the one in the family who decided we needed to immerse ourselves in this recreational money sump, I could never have done it without my wife. I’m curious though. What happened to you? Why are you a boater anyway?
William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill is the author of the book, Lubber's Log published by Llumina Press; a boating primer and adventure story about a couples experiences in moving up to a bigger boat. You can visit his website here.
