When? Well, I did hit the log book (obliquely) at conception. Dismal Swamp Canal if you're curious, and it was very cold. I suppose my creation began the fires eh?
The story of Daddy is found in this article:
janice142 article The Fishing Boat
Born aboard too -- forward berth, in Florida.
I didn't start running our boat until I was ten. Going through the bridge just north of Palatka heading up the river. We were going to haul out and then further south to play with manatees. Oh yes, and avoid water moccasins.
That boat we kept and only sold her when Mother's Alzheimer's mandated same. Our boat, as much as I loved her, she was a couple boat. It took two to dock her safely -- and yes I know some of y'all could do it. I could not and knowing my limitations... well, plus I wanted a smaller boat.
That folks look over their life especially when contemporaries pass on is a given. Where are we? Did we accomplish "enough" and what do we want next?
I knew a boat was in my future when I brought Mother to the house. At one time I thought NorSea27 -- with dreams of an ocean crossing to the south Pacific and beyond. Then cancer and the realization that I wasn't getting any stronger.
Finally, I came back to power. My favorite parts of living on the boat was not passages. That's just keeping her on a compass course, and open ocean no matter what the poets say... well, after 15k at the helm of our boat, I want coastal and nothing fancy for me for now.
Then came the decision of what boat? I knew for me small was best. It's less costly for everything from size of equipment to amount of bottom paint.
Too, I'm broke. Always have been... lived below the poverty level most of my married and all of my single life. I was "smart" and bought bank stock. Then TARP happened. (insert bad words, in multiple languages)
Apparently Orion (and specifically that so-and-so Jerry Williams who PERSONALLY sold me the damn stock along with Bill King and another fellow) ... well, anyway, when the banks collapsed my "cruising kitty" vanished.
And too I wasn't smart... had bought Seaweed on a credit card because I had the stock to back me up. I'm still recovering. Such is life.
Still, I truly am fortunate. My dream has come true.
It needs tweaking. The new mechanic was here and has recommended a riser (such as most advocated) to be made for me. Or off the shelf. Re-reading the tractor thread is harrowing. It's informative. There's a lot of strong opinions and sometimes I need time to assimilate all.
Resistance is futile. Etc. (Hey, I'm a trekkie)
My goal, is to get this doggone engine up and running. Then puttering around. Nothing fancy... no long term destination planned, though I do intend to go down to the island just east/north of Channel Five in the Florida Keys. I left son there and need to go back again.
But from there? Just further. The folks with "Big Plans" often don't. The reality is different than the imagination. And boating is work.
Cruising means you are totally in charge of your vessel. You must get her to port. Your navigation skills are important. Is that sound "normal" or is something breaking? It's stressful.
Too, alone there's no one to share the experience. I'd like to cruise in tandem just to be able to share the stuff I see. Back when I had Bob available, I called him while underway.
He became my de facto cruising partner. I miss him.
His piece, and everyone teetering on the brink might find it helpful is here:
janice142 article Time Stopped
What do you consider 'Cruising'? I have a buddy that have a huge set of criteria for what he wants in his 'perfect boat'. The problem is, he is so set in it, that nothing else will do. As a result he has NO BOAT.
Shrew: see above. And point your buddy to it too.
Don't wait. Even if your first boat isn't ideal, you can make her better.
I anchor in the same spots the high dollar yachts anchor. Except I'm closer to shore because my draft is less. They have the amenities -- ice (be still my heart) and water (wish list) however our experiences are similar.
Eventually though, with enough time, my Seaweed will have more. She's already far better than at purchase. Except for the engine fiasco and that's being resolved.
Once my engine runs I'll be puttering about on week days. Never on weekends as the Weekend Warriors are out in full force. I'll tuck into some of the interesting nooks around here and south.
I have no plans though.
The folks with plans, all too often get afraid. They fall into the bottle (alcoholism is prevalent in males, and some females too -- especially the soloists) and that's all she wrote.
My advice, if you're asking is to buy a boat that is capable of comfort -- whatever level you deem necessary. And don't do anything dramatic or requiring skill for a while. Use her locally.
Go to the local restaurant with a dock out back. Stop by the American Legion with a dock. Go "around the corner" and anchor by a beach. Take short hops and be a Tourist.
If you're like most folks you've not seen the places in your own back yard. Why not visit them via boat? Try not to be too ambitious at first until you've gotten your feet webbed.
And most of all, make sure you all have a good time. Short days. Relaxing times at anchor or in a marina. It doesn't have to be fancy to be fun.
I've rambled. OffDuty: don't wait. Not too long anyway.
Introspection is good if it doesn't develop into a fear of failure. The only certain way to fail is to never try.
And yes, as soon as Seaweed runs again, I'll take her over to a restaurant for that lunch you and your bride mentioned. I'm hungry, and hope you both like my home.
She's not perfect. Heck at thirty years of age all of us, excluding Wifey B, had some dings. So too does Seaweed.