Ha ha ha! Outstanding! You a smart man NHG. I actually used kinda the same ploy years ago to fool my now ex-wife ... into letting me get a SeaDoo. Heh hehI turned to my wife one Sunday morning and said, I think I want a motorcycle. She said get a boat so the kids can go. Best day in the last ten years.
having raised two on small boats...
Personally I think infants are a pain on a boat; Mothers will more than agree. get an irritated baby AND mother on the boat at the same time and you will wish you were on fire. All things being equal I'd start them at 2 years old. Obviously that doesn't work when the second one comes along.
If you take mother and baby on a boat, do not commit to a long trip and be ready to bail out at the first sign of things going down hill. You will be better served in the long run to give in often on the short run. But if you keep them captive one time it will be your last. Likewise, on those early trips, do whatever they want to do, and don't even attempt fishing.
Here's an strategy, though: use the baby to sell the wife on the idea. As he gets older, read him lots of boat books, get boat bath toys, and get him to say "boat" everytime he sees anything remotely similar. How can she say "no" when he obviously has boating in his blood? For the OP, this season is almost over so don't get a boat now. Get my plan going and let loose in the spring.
I don't think you need a cabin, especially where you are, but you do want high sides.
Having spent 29 years in the military and moving every couple of years my wife had a built in excuse. Wait until we move....... I had been talking boat for years, I bought boating books, I bought Boat Traders, I searched the internet high and low, each time I found a boat she would say, "wait until we move". In 2005 the fuel cost almost hit $5.00 per gallon, I told the wife that's it, I am buying a motorcycle to commute on. A very dangerous option in southern California. Started looking, took her to the bike dealer and was hours away from buying the bike. She didn't like it at all. Finally she said, I have never heard you say you wanted a bike, you have been talking boats for years and now all of a sudden you want a bike. If you buy the bike you can't get a boat..... Within 2 weeks we found a brand new 2005 proline 19ft sport CC with a 2006 honda 4 stroke 135. I didn't even have to wheel and deal she did and she did a great job, brand new boat and motor for 19,500..... That's how I did it.....Good luck. You could always fall to your knees and beg....
Your the head of the household, just tell her your buying a boat. There's no debating it because you said so. Nut up, problem solved.
Your the head of the household, just tell her your buying a boat. There's no debating it because you said so. Nut up, problem solved.
Excellent and well thought out advice.Having kids today is a tough proposition. With the poor schools, peer pressure and the internet and TV luring them away from joining the family, drugs and gangs are a real possibility.
One of the few ways to keep the kids safe and happy is on a boat with the WHOLE family. Let them bring their friends - that way the peer pressure is in a positive sense.
Can't start too early. MY boys were on the boat in diapers. Just be sure to have sun tan lotion and a convertible top.
My wife was a boater before we married, and still is now 40 years later. Both boys have their own families and their own boats. And both are professionals and grew up to be fine men.
If the wife isn't on board, better splain some things to her and make some demands. Once you lose your kids its to late to come back!