Another Hobby…
Here it is the middle of Summer, cloudy, damp, with a 50% chance of more rain, and cold at 67 degrees. Not a good boating day. Barely a day for trains either.
So I wonder how many of you fellow train NUTZ own a boat, what kind and what do you like to do with it when it is nice and Summery out?
I have a 20’ Stingray Bowrider I/O 3.0 that I used to fish both fresh and salt water with but haven’t done much of that in years and now ski, kneeboard, wakeboard etc… but mostly just cruise then float around with wife and friends.
How about you?
We own two, but only one is presently operational. #1 is a 1961 14Ft Corl Bonanza with a 1967 40 HP Evinrude. I restored the boat and motor about 14 years ago and we used it a lot in Candlewood Lake, but it is too small for weekends due to rough seas from all the traffic. I overheated the motor about 5 years ago and it has sat idle since. The fix is not difficult, just need motivation to tear down the top end. The boat itself suffered a lot of damage in the October snow storm last year.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jrad/_forumfiles/Big-LittleBoat800.JPG)
#2 is a 22 foot Aqua Patio pontoon which we have had for 12 years and use regularly, except for one season it sat idle with motor trouble from Ethenol gas.
I got a 16’ double wide bass boat that I need to get back out desperately …Gotta watch Jon as he is a boat Nazi …he cuts them up an puts them in dumpsters!
:)…I’ll never forget that story Jon!
That was my first one - an older tri-hull. I had a “boat load” of cash invested in replacing the transom and wood floors. Was looking for a motor and trailer when the Corl came along. Decided it was the better choice to restore and abandoned the first project. Finally got tired of looking at it split in two (top and bottom half). Tried to sell it, give it away or pay to have it hauled away. No takers. Loading into a dumpster was the only solution.
The full (long winded) story of my boat restoration efforts is here… http://w1kbw.radder.org/classic_boats.htm
Boats as a hobby? What a creative idea. Be careful getting too involved with anything, it only leads to nashing of teeth and pulling of hair.
There’s been fishing boats in my shop since 1967.
The latest, a 17’ Lund, hasn’t seen the water since 1997. Prolly should
get rid of it one of these days.
I have friends with huge boats moored on Lake Coeur d’ Alene, and I bum a ride
once or twice a summer to get my boating fix.
John Bouck said:Your old! :)
There's been fishing boats in my shop since 1967.
Yep boats are fine hobby’s but can cost. I started out small and over the years just got bigger and bigger till I finally sold out and now spend the money on trains and cars. Later RJD
This is a sister ship of my boat. I built her myself. A Chesapeake Light Craft 18 footer.
I’d show you a pic of my boat, but it is put away for the season.
I have a small 14.75 Lund I use for fishing. When the wife feels like boat ride we can do that also.
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/Misc_033_Medium_Web_view.jpg)
Don