I Thought of SBN & TD Today

[jay_merrill]

Holidays often make me think of those who have passed and the things that they contributed to others. In the past couple of years, we have lost two respected members of the iboats family, who gave a great deal of themselves for the benefit of their fellow boaters. Both passed on the traditions of what we do and what plays a major role in our lives.

I recently decided to sell my current boat, because as long as I have it to play with, I'll never get around to completing my Thunderbird project boat. Its just too easy to grab my cameras and get out on the water, as long as I have a boat to do that in.

One of my favorite motors, is a 1969, 6hp Johnson, which I used as a kicker on my Glassmaster. Its a great little engine, but its really too small to use as a kicker on the T-Bird, so I sold it today. A part of me hated to do this, because that motor has always been super reliable and simple to own.

To bring my post full circle, the little Johnny went to a father and son, to be put on the son's 12 foot flatboat. The boy is a pre-teen and from his dad's description, a great kid. He has demonstrated responsibility in using his ATV and in other areas of his young life. While a part of me didn't want to sell my trusty little Johnson, I am thrilled to know that his father and I have joined in passing a tradition on to his son. Just as my grandfather taught me boating with a home made, wood skiff and a little Evinrude, this father will teach his son boating.

So, here's to SBN & TD and here's to the satisfaction of helping to create another generation of boaters!



???

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: I Thought of SBN & TD Today

Nice story.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: I Thought of SBN & TD Today

It really was a nice afternoon, DS. My next boat would do much better with a 15hp Johnny or ERude as a kicker, so I have been mulling this sale over for some time.

The dad showed up with his son and the kid was thrilled to be getting a motor that is about 4 times as old as he is. As dopey as it may sound, I sort of had an attachment to that motor, because it has been such a good one. Seeing this young man's face, though, really made me glad that I decided to sell it and that was the cool part of the day. I went from "man, I really don't want to sell this, but i know I should 'cause I have too many motors now and I need a 15 and .... ," to showing the boy how to choke and start it, etc. As he tried it himself, I watched the dad, who was grinning as much as the boy was.

Maybe I'm getting to be a sentimental old guy, but it was nice and that was the mood that made me think about SBN & TD and the many hours that both spent in these forums helping others. We have sort of a "brotherhhod" (you too, LF - you're just better lookin' that the rest of the "brothers" ) and I like the kinship and sense of tradition involved.

So, I hope my little Johnny teaches this growing boy about boats and fishing and crabbing and all the stuff I learned so many years ago. Just the thought of that puts a big ole smile on my face!



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[ezmobee]

Re: I Thought of SBN & TD Today

As I mentioned in the memorial thread and it relates to your story, I know TD really liked it when he was able to sell one of his refurbed boats to first timers.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: I Thought of SBN & TD Today

It really was a nice afternoon, DS. My next boat would do much better with a 15hp Johnny or ERude as a kicker, so I have been mulling this sale over for some time.

The dad showed up with his son and the kid was thrilled to be getting a motor that is about 4 times as old as he is. As dopey as it may sound, I sort of had an attachment to that motor, because it has been such a good one. Seeing this young man's face, though, really made me glad that I decided to sell it and that was the cool part of the day. I went from "man, I really don't want to sell this, but i know I should 'cause I have too many motors now and I need a 15 and .... ," to showing the boy how to choke and start it, etc. As he tried it himself, I watched the dad, who was grinning as much as the boy was.

Maybe I'm getting to be a sentimental old guy, but it was nice and that was the mood that made me think about SBN & TD and the many hours that both spent in these forums helping others. We have sort of a "brotherhhod" (you too, LF - you're just better lookin' that the rest of the "brothers" ) and I like the kinship and sense of tradition involved.

So, I hope my little Johnny teaches this growing boy about boats and fishing and crabbing and all the stuff I learned so many years ago. Just the thought of that puts a big ole smile on my face!
???

I am a "sentimental old guy" and this thread has brought a smile to my face.

I have great memories of my father and grandfather taking me out fishing in a little boat. I have my paternal grandfathers Neptune Mighty-Mite sitting in the basement just waiting to be brought back to life. One of these days I'll find a replica of my maternal grandfathers Evinrude Fisherman.

And then I will find a little kid and pass it on.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: I Thought of SBN & TD Today

Jay, ironically enough, as a child, my first outboard was a 1969 Merc 6hp. My father had used it on a boat in the 70's and put it away for almost 20 years. After I begged him to get it up and running so I could have more than a trolling motor for propulsion on my little 12' john boat when I was about 8, he took it out, clamped it to a green garbage can, pumped the bulb, hit the choke, and after 10 years of sitting up, on the 3rd pull the engine started and purred like a kitten. He put a new water pump in it, and sent me on my way. Many of fish were caught out of that little jon boat with the ol' Merc on it. I have fond memories of my first outboard. It was pretty reliable, a few issues with the points, but a new set of points later, and we were back out on the water.

It had been used in saltwater and so the water jacket was horribly corroded. It eventually just stopped pumping water altogether. Rather than burn it up, my father sold it for parts and got me a brand new Suzuki 8. I thought I was in heaven with that rig, a new 12' wide bottom boat, 8hp engine, and a brand new Humminbird Wide fishfinder, the VERY first model ever made and a bow mount Minn Kota hand operated trolling motor, also brand new. I was one happy as hell 13yo kid.