What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till now

wannabeboater · Jul 28, 2002

I'm 24, and been around boats all my life, but always on the parents boats type of thing. Never the self ownership, and self up keep half on the deal. I was given a "hand-me-down" mid grade "Fixer-upper," from my dad recently, and now I'm Hooked. All my spare time is now deticated to my boat.Its a fiberglass mid 80's sea nymph bow rider with an 85 HP Force engine on the back. Nothing special, needs abit of T.L.C but now I'm hooked. Such a great hobby! My Dads feels the same way. I wonder if this kinda thing runs in the bloodline

This was originally gonna be a replay to the thread "What does your username stand for, but I think it deserves a thread of its own. So why don't we call it "

"? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks for your time, and I hope to hear your stories soon.

Cap'n Ron · Jul 30, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Well, I grew up around boats. My mother was a title clerk at a marina, so I spent most of my time there. Would go down after school and watch the mechanics work on the engines, or help the workers launch the boats. I first drove a boat when I was five (it was a little Jon boat). Been hooked ever since. My first boat was a 15-footer. My dad and I would go out and fish on the flats right near our house. Sold it a few years ago though. Nowadays, I've fallen in love with sailing, and am still learning. Looking at restoring an old sailboat once I have enough time to do it. Still go fishing sometimes, but I've found I prefer freshwater fishing now (nothing beats fly-fishing in Big South Fork in Tennessee). Anyways, that's my story.

Ranger354 · Jul 31, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

My father purchased an 18 foot fiberglass canoe when I was 4. Lets just call it the "Maneater". We took this thing on many boyscout trips over the years and ended up donating it to the local troop when he passed away. My father owned a few boats in his life and I have inherited a few and purchased a few on my own. I started backing trailers in the water at the ramp when I was 13 and never managed to hit anything. There is nothing better then that first day out on the water in your own boat. No mater what it costs or how it looks.

cvlngineer · Jul 31, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

My father had an old boat, not sure what brand, when I was a kid. It was a teal green and white V-bottom fiberglass boat with a 35 hp Sea King on the back. I remember many fun trips to Mathis Lake on that old boat. He sold it when I was about 11 or 12 years old, and he never bought another one. He had a bad stroke a couple of years later in about 1982, and had a hard time getting around after that. He just passed away this past November. My fishing trips were mostly limited to walking the banks of creeks until I bought an old canoe when I was about 16. I made many camping trips to the San Antonio river with the old thing, until I lent it to a friend and it was stolen one night off of the river bank. I went boatless until this past January when I bought a 12' jonboat from a family friend. I sold it to my brother and bought a 14' jonboat. I have used it several times on Baffin Bay, but it wasn't suited very well for that purpose, so I decided to build a boat that was. I just completed construction about 2 weeks ago. It is an 18' center console semi-dory built from fiberglass over plywood. It works great out on the bay and I must say that boating gets in your blood and you are hooked. I look back now, and I know that my dad is up there smiling and nodding! Here is a picture of my newest pride and joy:

Thanks, cvlngineer p.s. ranger, how is it going? Haven't talked to you in awhile. Have you been to Baffin Bay lately? Take care.

wannabeboater · Jul 31, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Wish I could see your pic. but cant. Anyone know why this is?

88spl · Jul 31, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

I to grew up around boats, my dad had 2, 37 ft cabin crouser and a little 15 ft 50 hp runabout. Spent many hrs on both. I think come to think of it, it could be in the blood. To me its the most relaxing feeling, a getaway from everything. The kids love to go out, and just recently our lab has joined us. She as a pup had to be with me in the boat when I was fixin her up, man does she swim, cant get her out of the water. My wife on the other hand hates the water, and this year has only been out one time. She had a very bad experiance as a child and almost dround. It all works out, she gets a break from the kids and me! When I get finished with this working thing, I want a large boat, you know, a/c tv, bathroom, big bed, kitchen, the works everything

House boat perhaps!

cvlngineer · Aug 1, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

wannabee, I'm not sure why you can't see the pictures. Hmmm. You can see these pictures and more at http://fillet-n-release.webhop.net The pictures of the finished boat are on page 8. Charles

mellowyellow · Aug 1, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

88SPL, bet she'll go on a hoseboat

for me, it started when my dad bought a 15'Chrysler in the early 70's. we fished like crazy for blackbass near the niagra river and into Canada. there's nothing like hooking a 3-4lb smallie on a top water lure.... I was hooked too

turned 16 and girls became more important and the boat sat in the drive unused until he sold it. now I'm the Dad. my 14yr old son has no patience for fishing, but he sure loves driving a boat. my 11yr old daughter has the patience of Job and always catches the most fish. my 4 yr old just likes to sit in the boat and make pretend he's the catain

I only wish everyone could experience the feeling! thanks Dad, you are also smiling from above.

derwood · Aug 1, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

I got my first boat at the begining of this year. It's not the greatest thing but it floats...sorta. worken out the bugs. Hope to build a strip canoe before to long. Derwood.

Bob_VT · Aug 1, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Age Infant heck I don't remember but there are old pictures of me in my Dad's 25' Barbor with twin 50's. Age 3 One of my first memories on Lake George, NY in Dad's new boat and new outboard. Ages 3 through 10 Varios fast boats with outboards owned by Dad. I was a rowboat fanatic and rowed everywhere in my jon boat. Age 15 my first boat bought by me and rebuilt by me 11' hydroplane with an 18 hp evinrude. Played with various project boats till age 18. 18-38 Bridge boats (Corps of Engineers) Assualt rafts and lots of fishing excursions. Retired now and have 3 boats in the yard. Depending on the mood LOL an old 23' trojan, 22' marathon and a 15' steury. Guess it is an addiction now. Never purchased a new boat and probably never will. I love to work on them. Bob

Ranger354 · Aug 2, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Civil, Good looking boat. I haven't been on the "Saltwater" but three times this year. I have been Bass fishing mostly, but am ready to hit the Laguna. Did you hear about the record Speck?

cvlngineer · Aug 2, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Ranger, Thanks for the kind words. No, I didn't hear about it. How big was it and where was it caught? cvlngineer

cvlngineer · Aug 2, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Ranger, Almost forgot, I heard that all of the fresh water inflow into the bays in Corpus is wreaking havoc on the shrimp. Is there any truth in this? It is making it next to impossible to get live bait down here at Baffin. cvlngineer

12Footer · Aug 2, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

One of my earliest memories is from age 4. My younger brother tried to walk out to the boat, from the bank,about 10feet away,in about 2 or 3 feet of water (to keep my father's Mohawk cruiser from grounding). I was on the bow, and as I saw his head go under, I tried to get a grownup's attention.They didn't give me any until I started crying. I knew he was in trouble. FINALLY, my oldest sister saw me, heard what I was screaming, and in one motion, jumped OVER my head, and into the water to rescue him.He was fine, but took a mighty drink.

gonfishn · Aug 2, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

I remember when I was six or seven my brother and I use to troll by rowing on the lake. Needless to say he being the youngest, got to do most of the rowing. To this day he still holds it against me because I still smoke him when we get get the chance to go out...

Fishbusters · Aug 5, 2002

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

Re: What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till

As an infant in dads old folbot (sort of a canoe). I am first and foremost a fisherman and have never been longer than 3 months w/o a working boat of some sort if just a canoe like I went out and bought before I went on vacation (the wife wanted to kill me but it was on sale and she understands).

What was your first encounter with boats, and how it evolved from then till now

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