sun_runner235
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2007
- Messages
- 176
I haven't had a whole lot of time to get out on the water this summer. Mainly due to work, and the partly because I'm in the process of restoring my recently purchased Cuddy Cabin. But this weekend I finally got out.
My Dad recently retired and we purchased a small 1969 12ft fiberglass boat for him to putt around in. Instead of buying a motor, he found my brother's old 1975 Wards Seaking in the garage. My brother bought the 10hp motor new in 1975, and it was a very reliable and strong outboard. But, its been setting in the garage for over 20 years without being started. My dad and I tinkered with it some and got it running. Yesterday I decided to take the old motor and boat out for its "maiden" voyage.
My 6yo step son went with me. He had never been boating before and has really been itching to go since we purchased the larger boat. Granted I knew I was taking a risk in getting stranded with the old motor, and having him with me, but I said what the heck. As we were going out to the boat ramp, he asked me typical 6yo questions....Like: "How do you get the wheels off the boat?" (6yo to English translation is: "How do you get the boat off the trailer?") We got to the ramp, and he had his specific duties while I got the boat ready for launch. Once in the boat, (which took a few minutes while he pondered the risk of stepping from a solid dock to a rolling boat) we fired the old motor off and got started. I was quite pleased with how the boat and motor handled. We ran up and down the creek for a good 2-3 hours with no problems. We even anchored to have a coke and snack and splash some water around. To his excitement, I let him bring the anchor up by himself. The whole trip, he had a smile from ear to ear. I think I probably had the same smile myself. It was very relaxing....something I haven't had in a while.
I know I'm preaching to the choir, but getting out on a boat is probably one of the best ways to improve your mood, and definately expand the world of a small child. If you have kids or grandkids, or heck even kids you know, get them out on the water and teach them responsible boating. It will be something they never forget.
My Dad recently retired and we purchased a small 1969 12ft fiberglass boat for him to putt around in. Instead of buying a motor, he found my brother's old 1975 Wards Seaking in the garage. My brother bought the 10hp motor new in 1975, and it was a very reliable and strong outboard. But, its been setting in the garage for over 20 years without being started. My dad and I tinkered with it some and got it running. Yesterday I decided to take the old motor and boat out for its "maiden" voyage.
My 6yo step son went with me. He had never been boating before and has really been itching to go since we purchased the larger boat. Granted I knew I was taking a risk in getting stranded with the old motor, and having him with me, but I said what the heck. As we were going out to the boat ramp, he asked me typical 6yo questions....Like: "How do you get the wheels off the boat?" (6yo to English translation is: "How do you get the boat off the trailer?") We got to the ramp, and he had his specific duties while I got the boat ready for launch. Once in the boat, (which took a few minutes while he pondered the risk of stepping from a solid dock to a rolling boat) we fired the old motor off and got started. I was quite pleased with how the boat and motor handled. We ran up and down the creek for a good 2-3 hours with no problems. We even anchored to have a coke and snack and splash some water around. To his excitement, I let him bring the anchor up by himself. The whole trip, he had a smile from ear to ear. I think I probably had the same smile myself. It was very relaxing....something I haven't had in a while.
I know I'm preaching to the choir, but getting out on a boat is probably one of the best ways to improve your mood, and definately expand the world of a small child. If you have kids or grandkids, or heck even kids you know, get them out on the water and teach them responsible boating. It will be something they never forget.
