Are all wives like this?

[ronward]

I got this old boat and the transom is in pretty rough shape. We can limp along another season at no wake speeds since we normally do that anyway, we have a 4 year old and a nervous mama... Those 2 don't go well with WOT. I've convinced her that we can get a free or extremely cheap boat to renovate while still being able to use ours very gently. She likes the idea of no off-the-water time. I've re-done a couple boats(floor, transom, paint) so I know what I'm getting into. Whenever I find a boat that looks to be in salvagable shape I'll ask her opinion about it. Do you like it? Do you like the layout? What do you think overall?...........Here's what I get... Why's the floor all wavy like that? The back where the motor goes looks bent. That's an ugly color. It's awfully dirty. There's no steering wheel!

And EVERY time I have to explain we gotta replace the floor. It needs new plywood in the transom. Baby, we can paint it whatever color we want. Yes it's dirty and full of leaves and trash because it has been sitting in someone's backyard for several years. Sweetheart, we can put a new steering wheel in it; they still make 'em.

Do they really expect a showroom quality boat for free. I can't make her understand that I'm not asking if she likes the boat NOW. I'm trying to ask her if she might like it...fixed up.

She always ends up saying, "Do what you want, you're going to anyway."

PLEASE!!! Please tell me I'm not alone here guys.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Are all wives like this?

Sounds to me like she is saying buy a lake ready boat which IMO is a better idea. I would never take anyone out in a boat that I knew was structurally unsound. Pass on this season and save the money to buy something you can use and everyone will be safe and happy.

 

[machz]

Re: Are all wives like this?

"Do what you want, you're going to anyway."

After 27 years my wife knows this statement would mean a new boat payment

 

[ronward]

Re: Are all wives like this?

I knew I shouldn't have said anything about the transom. It is not as bad as you want to think. It is getting weak but I have it braced and it does not move. I can stand on the anti-vent plate and it barely gives. I will not be running over idle speed. No, she is not saying buy a lake ready boat. We have discussed that, she does not want the initial expense. We can find a decent dead boat and revive it for a lot less. I've done it. The answer is not always buy a water ready boat. Some (crazy) people get satisfaction from rebuilding. Bringing something long gone back to life.

 

[ronward]

Re: Are all wives like this?

After 27 years my wife knows this statement would mean a new boat payment

If it were gonna be a "new" boat I might go there. She is kinda strange in the sense that she seems to like things I fix or repair rather than just wanting new>

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Are all wives like this?

Soooo, she/you don't want to fix the one you have?? (Oh, yeah, when my Admiral catches me looking at an Old boat she gives me "The Look" and says..."Don't even think about it". so yeah, they're all the same!!!

 

[agallant80]

Re: Are all wives like this?

Pretty much yes. Mind drives me crazy not with the boat but with house shopping. "Oh I love this house but lets pass because it does not have stone around the fireplace" Just do what you want and let her deal with it. If you seek approval then you are just making yourself crazy.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Are all wives like this?

Potential is a very bad word---BUT Some people simply can not see potential. It sounds like your wife is like that. SO: In a small matter like a boat, do what you want, get what you think she would like and fix it. Then show her the finished product.

Not that I am not advocating leaving her out of big decisions--what house to buy or rent, how to manage the money, raising the kids---you are not stupid and that will lead to divorce. You chose her for a reason, you know her and love her (I hope) so deal with her inability to see some things as you do.
,

BTW: My wife knows that in my house the pecking order is: The boats, the pets, and then her! LOL Yeah, right! I am whipped and proudly acknowledge it.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Are all wives like this?

My wife has been with me long enough to let me see the potential. I see you have a 4 y/o, so I assume you have not been married THAT long.

If you do what you say (paint it the way she wants it, etc) and buff out the diamond in the rough, she also will learn to trust that what she sees in the ad will not be what she will get. I've towed home a couple of real sore looking boats, but she has faith.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Are all wives like this?

take yer skirt off, put yer man pants back on, and do what you want!!! ( just dont tell my wife i said that!! lol lol)

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Are all wives like this?

I have a X wife like that. New wife will roll up her selves and pitch in with the work.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Are all wives like this?

I got this old boat and the transom is in pretty rough shape. We can limp along another season at no wake speeds since we normally do that anyway, we have a 4 year old and a nervous mama... Those 2 don't go well with WOT. I've convinced her that we can get a free or extremely cheap boat to renovate while still being able to use ours very gently. She likes the idea of no off-the-water time. I've re-done a couple boats(floor, transom, paint) so I know what I'm getting into. Whenever I find a boat that looks to be in salvagable shape I'll ask her opinion about it. Do you like it? Do you like the layout? What do you think overall?...........Here's what I get... Why's the floor all wavy like that? The back where the motor goes looks bent. That's an ugly color. It's awfully dirty. There's no steering wheel!

And EVERY time I have to explain we gotta replace the floor. It needs new plywood in the transom. Baby, we can paint it whatever color we want. Yes it's dirty and full of leaves and trash because it has been sitting in someone's backyard for several years. Sweetheart, we can put a new steering wheel in it; they still make 'em.

Do they really expect a showroom quality boat for free. I can't make her understand that I'm not asking if she likes the boat NOW. I'm trying to ask her if she might like it...fixed up.

She always ends up saying, "Do what you want, you're going to anyway."

PLEASE!!! Please tell me I'm not alone here guys.

Ayuh,.... Deb always Says she sees the potential that I see,.....

Whether she does or not,.. I donno,...
But,...
She Does know how Handy I am, 'n most generally Loves some of the junk I build,...
'n,...
That IS her favorite sayin',.....

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are all wives like this?

A few years ago . . . I told my wife that the engine needed to be replaced on my F-242 . . . she said

"don't put another dime into that boat, just sell it and get a new one"

"OK", was my reply . . .

 

[JimS123]

Re: Are all wives like this?

When I want a new toy, I tell her "I'm thinking about buying a new XXX", followed by "I'm going to look at one tomorrow". She always says "What do you need it for?", or "Oh, OK". Then I show her a picture and ask her opinion about color, etc.

When I come home and I tell her I bought it, she usually says, "I want a xxx", and then I take her out and buy it for her. Never have I ever heard any negative comments about buying something. Nor do I ever say anything about what she buys.

Well, I mean.....$2000 for a sewing machine?...gotta be kidding, but I didn't say that. Nor did she complain about the $3000 for the new kicker.

Bottom line is you have to compromise and work like a team.

Of course, on the other hand i would never even consider taking her out in a free boat that wasn't seaworthy above idle.

Rest of the story - next Sunday is our 40th anniversary...nuff said.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Are all wives like this?

I was going to reply to this but I think I'll just pass...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Are all wives like this?

"Happy wife, happy life."

Or, to quote a famous guy:

Rule number one, if she ain't happy you ain't happy.
And if she ain't happy long enough you're gonna be unhappy with half your stuff.

 

[Saltydawg2]

Re: Are all wives like this?

To answer your initial question. God made women look different so you could tell which one was yours.......

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Are all wives like this?

After nearly 44 years my wife believes I can fix or build anything. Up until 10 years ago I agreed. Ever since the early '90s she has just said to do whatever I want when it comes to boats and trucks. About the time I turned 50 it seemed smarter to use a boat than work on one. Soon to be 66 and believe it more than ever. I've had more boats than I care to count in the last 50 years, all but 2 bought new.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Are all wives like this?

About 4 years ago we purchased a repo project boat. this 38 ft wellcraft was full of mold had a soft deck and the cabin headliner was torn out. I explained to her that if we buy a boat that looks halfway decant I am only going to gut it to the hull and replace everything anyway. Why pay more when it will be replaced anyway. soap and bleach is cheep. Within two months I had recored the deck replaced the headliner and the entire interior including replacing the nasty carpet with synthetic teak. We love our boat and live aboard during the summer. Some people buy and flip houses while others do the same with motor Yachts.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Are all wives like this?

This is a hobby, not a financial investment. I think anyone who is worried about the small stuff, like hobbies would indicate other issues. If your hobby is affecting your ability to meet your financial goals, your hobby should be adjusted. Any wife that would deny you your hobby isn't worth keeping around. I wouldn't deny my other half what ever she wanted to play around with, she doesn't ask for my approval either. Heck you only have so many tomorrows, so do it toady, but be wise about it. If you have to ask permission, you should take a look at the big picture and adjust her attitude!! I think the first mistake was asking, I understand getting buy in, I would not ask a question I didn't already know the answer to.