The Charm Of Woody Boat Pictures? Or Not?

Sorry about the unfortunate crop of the lead image on the home page. Or not? Your call

In yesterdays comment section Kelly Wittenauer wrotec “Love these photos of people enjoying a day with the boat! Look like they didn’t have a care in the world.” And of course that got me thinking..mmmm. Is it a period of time thing, or is it something else. When we are out on our boats are we care free? Yes…and no. I am relaxing, and certanly not being serious about anything. Family time, or just disappear time.

But the one thing that is different is that when those slides were taken, the boats were new, and folks had different things to worry about. Like being Nuked by the commies. Okay, and Polio, and Mr Dingle down the street thats just strange, and always invites the kids over. Okay, maybe the mob, and Orson Wells on the radio. Ya know what? It’s all the same. We can look back and its all clean and frozen in a moment of happiness. After all isnt that what they wanted to capture in the first place? And today we have video of the moment, which can ruin it.
One of the most interesting things about classic boating, isn’t the ride, its the entire ownership. Oil needs changing alot, spark plugs, points need cleaning, varnish, and stuff just breaks. In a normal way. Thats how things were, we live in a truly care free time now when it comes to machinery. We expect so much more reliability, and communication from the boat. Lights, alarms and sensors. And maybe thats the point. Worrying about things you can fix are part of the joy. Feeling more in control, and connected to your boat are part of it all.

Says it all

And todays Header is from this classic moment in Mad Magazine history. I swear that magazine developed my sarcasm and still alive and well in my heart. NOTHING IS SACRED!

The small (Often the same day) is the best line. Small and right between the eyes

 

12 replies
  1. Kelly Wittenauer
    Kelly Wittenauer says:

    Oops, sorry to my fellow commenters, didn’t mean to get Matt going on this tangent. I was truly enjoying the old photos, of smiling people enjoying boats.

    Reply
  2. Rabbit
    Rabbit says:

    Matt, maybe the reason people look happier in these vintage photos is that when photos were taken with a film camera, instead of an iPhone, it was more of an occasion. Every shot was precious, instead of a throwaway.

    Also, Mad Magazine profoundly influenced my twisted sense of humor. Try to find any advertising creative of our generation who wasn’t raised on Mad.

    Finally, when gassing up your boat from a gas can (plastic gas can) do yourself a favor and invest twenty bucks in a TurboSiphon. No spills, so much faster, and it takes up no space.

    Reply
  3. Steven Anderson
    Steven Anderson says:

    Oh yeah, I was a steady reader of Mad Magazine! Spy vs Spy and the folding last page were my favorites.

    I swear I was born 30 years too late, I would have loved to be around in the prime of the 50’s. I love the simple cars and boats and everything.

    Reply
  4. Royce Humphreys
    Royce Humphreys says:

    Oh boy! Matt does it again with Alfred E. Newman! Brings back all of those Mad memories as a kid with my older brother Jim. Folding the back cover was always so cool! Thanks Matt!

    Reply
  5. Dave Lyon
    Dave Lyon says:

    I’ve owned 4 wood boats, ages 1931 – 1946, & I’ve been towed in each one !
    I’ve also towed more friends in wood boats than I can recall, but I’ve towed a few plastic boats, too !

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 3 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, text. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here