The Top 10 Signs You Are Too Emotionally Involved With A Boat. And A Cure.

I love Stinky!
For the record, I way too emotionally involved with my boats, but have tried to figure out ways to not take it too seriously. After all its all part of the fun. Right? Fun? Right? Now there are countless reasons why this all may be happening. You could just be scared of the dam thing. Its a dream and any flaw is a slap in the face, or fear of money being spent because of a jealous spouse. You can only use the boat on Weekends when the weather is good and too much is riding on the line? The list goes on and on.

Rainy day lover
1. You get angry at the last person that touched your boat when something goes wrong.
2. You are scared to take people out on it.
3. You are scared to take it out on long runs.
4, You are happy when it rains
5. Your mood goes into a deep funk if its too windy or rainy.
6. You think the boat is going to sink if there is a drop of water in the bilge.
7. You automatically think your engine needs to be rebuilt becaue its running like crap.
8. No dogs on board.
9. When its your spouses birthday you buy her a boat part for your boat.

It works once!
10. And last, you don’t want to read the cure below!
I know there are more, but this can be a serious problem when you are trying to enjoy this passion. After all the passion is about FUN! Not stress. And yet, these are old 60-80 year old machines made of a living material that ages. Stuff rusts, ages, aches and breaks. Image your kids taking you out for a run full throttle at 80 years of age. Aint gonna happen. Yet because we live in a time were stuff works most of the time, we all forget that back when our boats were new, they were spotty reliably. Hell, the boats were designed to be used for 3-5 years. Thats it. So whats the solution?
THERE IS A CURE!
Its simple. Here is a list of things you can do to break the spell, and have FUN.

Woohooo
- USE YOUR BOAT A LOT.
- Own more that one, so when one is down and you are waiting on parts, you can still go boating.
- Take your boat out and beat it to death, try and break it. You might be surprised how much she can take. Even for an 80 year old.
- Work on it yourself. Mess it up. Mistakes are lessons learned the hard way.
- It’s just a boat!
- Water is your friend. As long as there is more below the boat than in it, you are good.
- Have friends with boats. You will have a pal to play with.
- When ship happens, know you are not alone and its part of the fun.
- Attitude. There is enough crap in your life, breaking down is an adventure as long as you dont die. And if you die, hell, what a way to go. Far better than dying from some sort of dumb ass desease. See it gets worse.
- Take photos of your disaster and share it. We all love a good disaster story.

Yikes!
See, even at boat shows, breaking down and being towed in is part of the fun. So this fathers day weekend, get out there, and have… FUN

Wearing dumb shorts helps

Hang out on the boat even at the dock.

Use it!

Its just a boat after all. -Steve Lapkin Photo

Give people rides.

The restoration can be a fun as a boat ride

Its about friends and family. Not the boats.

Its fun, its summer its memories

Family traditions
DOGS!

Katz and Dogs!

Pups

Old pups

BOAT RIDE dogs

Whats that dogs

Resting dogs

A bouquet of dogs

One per cushion dogs

Bottom partys

Passing on the fun of life to the next generation

Family history is alive and well

Pile on, lets go!

Woohooo!

Love

Dads
So I bet you feel better already. Its boating, it’s life, it’s passion, relaxation, and time to have fun, even if your boat aint boating. Cause if you are working on the boat, you’re not just boating, you’re WoodyBoating!
I’m working on early training so I will get that full throttle boat ride when I’m in my 80’s!
Bring dogs and coolers. If one don’t make you happy the other will.
What the hell? The capcha crap again…this is the third and final thoughtful post I have attempted today….just to have them all ditched….I give up…going boating.
Also that Pic you want us to believe is OUR LILY….is some grownup BABE destined for the cover of Sports Illustrated that you rang in on us. Fake news!
How about MFine in a sons of Varn Tee shirt while the Boatress is bundled up and wearing an insulated vest? Photoshop…
I am GOING BOATING….my 33 year on the JAMES RIVER BATTEAU FESTIVAL here in old Va….look it up….a blast from the past! Whole week of fun on the water….at close to flood stage too.
John in Va.
What a deal this was exactly what I needed today as last evening the misses and I had a heartfelt conversation about my over loving of the boat. Thanks for sharing the cure Matt now #LetsGoBoating
OK, I am not really into the dogs on my boat thing.
Gather with others is a GREAT idea!
(I think the second pic is a photo credit to Hamster.)
No dogs on my boat
Top 10 signs the captcha crap keeps locking up m-fine’s phone…
Oh cool, it’s gone and I can comment again!
What a great post for the joys of classic boat ownership! A bad day on the water is still better than a good day at work!
Dogs love our boats almost as much as they love us.
This is great post. As a complete rookie it’s cool to read this and try to always keep it in mind. I totally agree on giving people rides , it helps introduce new generations or grown adults to the world of classic boats. I wish more shows did it, I have over heard many people viewing the boats talking about how they wishbthey could go for a ride. My 41 isn’t in the water yet but after it is and my nerves relax I would love to give some rides. It’s the future of classic boating and by the looks of last week’s show the hobbie/lifestyle could use some more enthusiasts.
Michigan chapter will be giving rides in Algonac on June 23rd and at our BIG show in September. Come join the fun.
There’s a boat show in Michigan this year? Why don’t I know about it?
Yah disaster stories are the best. For the record i have not burned, or sunk a boat in 3 years now, but im always checking the bilge!
My Grandson has inherited the disease. He is 21 months and loves you tube boat videos. One of his favorite words is “boats”. Last week he looked at Matt’s new boat like he wanted it. Also loved the barrel back at Katz’s.
mfine: that captcha deal is a trick Matt uses to keep you and me from posting so often…..! It ain’t workin!
John in Va
As newbie Woodie Boater I was delighted when my dog Bessie and I got to ride in a 1946 CC Special at Bass Lake CA this year. I turned down the ride not having anywhere to leave Bessie but the owner said let her hop in. It was amazing.