Is your boat an obsession?

[Zerbel04]

I have owned numerous "toys" in my life including street bikes, dirt bikes, RV's etc. Each time I have bought a different toy there is of course always an excitement and enthusiasm for that toy that tends to fade over time.

Since purchasing my first boat a couple months ago I have found something very strange about this "toy". As usual the excitement and enthusiasm after purchase was there but............instead of fading it seems to be growing stronger each day almost becoming a life of its own.

I have found myself diving into these forums for information, have ordered various boating related books, been watching various boating/watersport videos on youtube, downloaded various boating apps for my iphone, been researching various equipment to add to my boat, inquired into the next boat show in our area, inquired into boat friendly lakeside condos for rent and for sale, inquired into new places for us to camp next summer which have boat friendly lakes, not to mention driving everyone around me crazy with boat talk.

This could be the longest winter I've experienced yet

Anyone else obsessed with these floating monsters?

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

Am I obsessed? No! I have taken pride in bringing back a slightly neglected boat to full working condition. I have spent much time learning how every thing works, and making sure it is working correctly. Now it is just one part of family life. It is centre of attention when the grandkids visit, but then takes its place on the priority scale.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

Am I obsessed? No! I have taken pride in bringing back a slightly neglected boat to full working condition. I have spent much time learning how every thing works, and making sure it is working correctly. Now it is just one part of family life. It is centre of attention when the grandkids visit, but then takes its place on the priority scale.

Everyone up north says that in the winter time.

For me, I'd say my boat is more of a passion than obsession. I'm not consumed with it... but you better not let me hear you talking bad about it or let me see you kicking it.

... or maybe it is an obsession, I did choose it over the ex-wife when she told me to get rid of it or she was leaving me... but she was a miserable witch that couldn't stand to see me having fun and needed to get the hell out of Dodge anyway.:facepalm:

 

[Zerbel04]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

Don't get me wrong retired guy...

I am very busy with a professional practice and am very much a family guy (have never missed a hockey game or dance competition) Life balancing is more important than ever to me.

I didn't imply that my boat takes priority over any of these things, In fact part of the reason I love boat ownership is that my entire family can enjoy it together.........and it is a fantastic escape from the confines of a busy office scenery.

Lol jigngrub.......sounds like you made the right choice......and your right I think "passion" might be a better description for myself also.

 

[chconger]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

I have restored cars, had motorcycles, dabbled in flying, lots of stuff....but it always comes back to boats. Have not been without a boat since I was ten. Built three myself, and restored three other wood boats.

I even stopped building my house for six months to build a boat instead. No kitchen counter....but a mahogany boat coming together in the shop. My poor wife!

Imagine if I was obsessed!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

... or maybe it is an obsession, I did choose it over the ex-wife when she told me to get rid of it or she was leaving me... but she was a miserable witch that couldn't stand to see me having fun and needed to get the hell out of Dodge anyway.

.. Been there done that to When I finely bought a boat after years of sitting things aside form buying a home and raising kids I very carefully explained to the now X wife the boat would be around long after she is gone.

In my case it is a passion, I was boat less for about 15 years and I of course survived very well. When I was settled in my job and home and stable, Yes I did buy another boat and my kids loved it, I am now teaching my 10 grand kids like I was taught the thrill of it.

Back in my working days I kept a boat slipped some place close by and when the frustrations added up I would drop by for a 5 to 10 min break, the boats in those days was always named ..the Corporate Office and my secretary could honestly say o he is at the Corporate Office try his cell and it was open for use by the senior staff, smiles had a lot of sales meeting there. I will never forgot the look on one secretary face when she had to deliver some papers once, talk about priceless

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

No not an Obsession, just my Escape.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

An obsession is insanity. A boat is the respite, therapy and escape from all the insanity we have to deal with on a daily basis. I owned a boat before I owned a car. I disposed of several girlfriends because they were only so-so boaters. My sweetie and I have been together for nearly 42 years and she shares the passion. (Our first date was in the boat, as a matter of fact) My boys were boaters in diapers, even before they could walk. They both now have boats of their own.

Nope, not an obsession.....just a necessity!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

I have the same felling but when the winter comes it dies off a lil and I resort to the forum of which soon you will be addicted so if I was to say obsessed yes or should it be hell yes!

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

I have things that are a LOT more important to me than the boat. Clearly family, friends and the like. When it comes to hobbies, I think the boat has eclipsed my weekend car for what I prefer to use.

My wife may say I'm obssessed, but I mearly get enjoyment out of using it, and even working on it and fixing it up!

 

[roger56]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

I call it a challenge, can I make it better than it was before I love working on the boat and making any improvements possible. I work on it when the main priorities in life are out of the way. It relievies stress of the every day duties I halve to do. It gives me great satisfaction in taking a old motor (Grandfathers 1951 Johnson ) and getting it to run at its peak. Rebuilding my 1959 Johnson after the marina screwed it up this year. Its just my escape this and the golf course.

 

[86 century]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

It has become a passion for the family.

Believe it or not getting a boat was the admirals idea with two teenagers and a three year old the things we can all enjoy together are limited.
Out on the lake we all get to enjoy our time together.

I sold my beloved motorcycle that I built from the ground up to free up funds for a better boat for us. Is one of the best trades I have ever made.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

It is an obsession for me as well. Of all the things I like to do this is my favorite. My family loves it as much as I do and we always dispute over who can drive it. There is nothing better then cruising along on a nice warm day, stopping at a sandbar and having a beer.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

Boat is never an obsession.
...forums might be. :redface:

 

[Geko45]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

I'm not consumed with it... but you better not let me hear you talking bad about it or let me see you kicking it.

What if someone spills potato chips in it?

... or maybe it is an obsession, I did choose it over the ex-wife when she told me to get rid of it or she was leaving me... but she was a miserable witch that couldn't stand to see me having fun and needed to get the hell out of Dodge anyway.:facepalm:

Well, that's just smart thinking right there. As for me, some have accused me of being obsessed.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

An obsession is insanity. A boat is the respite, therapy and escape from all the insanity we have to deal with on a daily basis. I owned a boat before I owned a car. I disposed of several girlfriends because they were only so-so boaters. My sweetie and I have been together for nearly 42 years and she shares the passion. (Our first date was in the boat, as a matter of fact) My boys were boaters in diapers, even before they could walk. They both now have boats of their own.

Nope, not an obsession.....just a necessity!

well since I'm crazy about boating, I guess my insanity is an obsession!

I'm not obsessed about my boats; I am about the things I do in them. My varicose boats (broken vessels) are just a means to an end, not an end in themselves. One of my retreats is on a barrier island, so boats are how I get there--part of the package. But among "the things I do in them" is the repair, restoration, maintenance, fixing up, etc. that as a hobby should be, is recreational, escape, and supposedly relaxing until I get so @#$%^& frustrated over that last bolt or that intermittent electrical...don't get me started....

One of the things I enjoy while fishing or cruising is looking at other boats, what I like or dislike, imagining owning one FBOW, etc. I browse CL eventhough I'm not in the market; I stop and look at road-side sales.

I grew up on the water, salt water is in my veins and the tides are my rythm. Learning to sail at a very youing age gave mem my independence, boating skills, confidence, and lesson that things bigger than me are in control, and they aren't always kind or fair.

 

[babbot]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

Definitely an obsession. Just ask my wife.... I have a bunch of time consuming hobbies like cars, nerd stuff like computers, and a rock band. BUT boating is the only thing i can truly enjoy with the family. The cars are okay with the family but boats are just utopia on a great sunny day with the kids smiling and dad driving...

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

No not an Obsession, just my Escape.

That's a real good way of putting it........ I'm not obsessed with any of my toys. They each have a season and for the most part, the same reason. If I could boat all year I wouldn't enjoy it as much. Same goes for snowmobiling.

Boat is never an obsession.
...forums might be. :redface:

Sad to say, I agree.......:facepalm:

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Is your boat an obsession?

It's these damned websites that are my obsession. But I try to just have one obsession at a time.

I've weaned myself out of the Jaguar Auto Owners' website, as it takes other owners to keep'em running. I used to be active in travel advice for Central Europe, but am keeping off line since we went to London and Italy in April.

I wonder what websites next year will hold? Too bad computers are the place to read 10-12 newspapers. I wonder if news and periodicals online are also an obsession?