What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

[ufm82]

As I type I'm watching a guy boating on a small Metropark lake near me. This little 185 acre bowl is deep and clear and draws local boaters who want to play a bit. Motorboats are allowed on even days and sailboats/pwc are allowed on odd days. No HP limit but there's a 35 mph speed limit. Cool little lake to play/test on.
Watched a guy unloading a pristine little 15' runabout. Fabuglass or something maybe. This boat is cherry- beautiful finish, new custom interior, new bimini, etc. The guy spent a good bit of jack to restore the boat and after speaking to him about it it turns out he's spent about 2K and his own time doing it. Very nice for the nostalgic boater.
However, I notice the 1960's era 35 hp outboard on the back. Granted, it looks fine but I noticed that the prop was in less than perfect condition. And it didn't start/run very well. However, the guy gets the boat wet and parks. He is right now FLYING up and down the lake at full throttle. The little engine is howling and he's doing 15mph, MAYBE. LOL Perhaps a few bucks should have been thrown at the powerplant instead of the interior. I'm cracking up watching this guy enjoy the beautiful day in his beautiful boat going 15 mph.

Definitely not the mechanical type I guess...

 

[jmarty10]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

To each his own. Maybe a new motor is next on his list.

 

[oops!]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

it is very common to buy a boat with an older motor that runs, and find out that the hull is trashed.

so...the first thing that is done is a full gut of the hull this only takes a day...

then the transom gets replaced... then the stringers...the foam...the deck...then comes the interior and finally the exterior and paint..

the hull is now beautiful ....

lets test the boat.........

that motor we had on it ......well ...its not as good as it could be.......the carbs are varnished because of storage....and the wheel is whacked....

oh well.....the motor is next on the list

 

[ufm82]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

I know, I know. Just cracked me up that he dumped a bunch of cash in the appearance and didn't think to spend $100 on a new prop at the very least. The boat would have been twice as fast had he had a prop that wasn't a train wreck. But hey, at least he was out playing while I was sitting there working... He'd have a super suh-weet ride with a little 50hp 4-stroke on the back.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

Sounds like a nice boat, I am restoring a old glass boat with 2- 1950's era outboards, I sure hope I get more than 15 mph out of them. I'm really shooting for the cool factor, but crazy fast would be nice too.

 

[levittownnick]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

If the guy is having fun...that's what it's all about.
It's a win.

 

[Tetondan37]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

I have discovered that owning a boat requires a lot of time and money. I bet he ran out of one or the other. At least he was having fun. I bet by next season that motor rocks.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

What is your point? Are we supposed to laugh at his misfortune?

 

[southkogs]

Re: What a hoot! Misdirected priorities...

I'll admit it ... If I'd just gotten it done, all shined up 'purty & ready to roll ... but hadn't gotten around to the prop or the motor, I've been out there runnin' just like him. Grinning ear to ear!

You make a good point about the prop & motor, but I'd have done it too.