06/06/2007

Lifestyle adventure: Back to boating
By Bob Lassahn

At the urging of my better half we recently bought ourselves a boat. Nothing fancy, just a small (15 feet), used (but gracefully aging) runabout with a moderately sized outboard to putt around the local waters. We both enjoy being on the water for activities from sightseeing to fishing and crabbing.

This is not our first boat. Boating was a major part of our lives prior to relocating to the shore in 2000. We started with a 12 foot aluminum boat with a three horsepower kicker from Montgomery Ward and gradually worked our way up to a cruiser measuring 35 feet in length and powered by twin V8 engines. When we sold the cruiser in 2001 we pretty much decided that was the last hurrah as far as boating went since our new lifestyle left limited opportunity for the activity.

Although not a frequent topic of discussion between the wife and I, it was obvious we both missed boating. We had been active in the United States Power Squadron, with the wife involved in organizing the group's summer cruise schedule and social activities while I was involved in the squadron's operations and taught the boating course. I served on the squadron bridge and was commander in 1992-93. Our leisure time revolved around boating activities for nearly 20 years, so each trip across the Route 90 Bridge could cause a flashback to the "good old days." Another change in lifestyle also meant more opportunities to spend time on the water.

That is not to say we missed everything about boating. I definitely do not miss the annual rite of spring crawling under a vessel that seemed the size of the RMS Titanic to sand and paint the bottom. Winterizing and lay-up requiring several days of work in the fall doesn't make the list of things I long for and neither of us pines for the continuous scrubbing, waxing and other housekeeping chores required to keep a fairly large vessel shipshape. One thing that I definitely do not miss, especially at today's gas prices, is a trip to the fuel dock to fill a 180 gallon tank attached to two very thirsty engines. There is definitely a balance between the positives and negatives of going down to the sea in ships.

We recently launched our "new" boat for her shakedown cruise from the White Horse Park boat ramp. Other than infrequently helping one of my friends with their rig it marked the first time I had launched a boat from a trailer in over 20 years. The responsibility for success or failure rested solely upon my shoulders and I admit to being somewhat nervous. Over the years I both heard about and at times witnessed firsthand some real foul-ups during the launch process at a boat ramp. I did not want to become one of those shining examples of what not to do.

The ramp was not busy so we took our time, methodically transitioning the boat from the trailer to safely afloat. There was this voice that kept repeating over and over "Did you put the plug in?" and it took some time to realize it was not just a voice in my head, but rather my wife seeking reassurance I had actually performed the task. The fates smiled upon us and we managed pretty well, with the only negative result being wet feet and cold toes as I learned my sense of balance was not up to walking on the trailer rails.

With the tow vehicle and trailer safely parked it was time to take command of the new vessel. The engine came to life at the first turn of the key and soon we were headed out to put the vessel through its paces. We realized this was as much a test of ourselves as it was of the boat since we were calling upon skills dulled by the passage of more than five years. Based upon the facts that we did not run aground, sink or vaporize in a ball of flame and returned in one piece to our point of departure, I count the voyage a success.

Our return to boating was anticlimactic. No drama, no close calls, not even a serious bruise. The skills we learned from Power Squadron courses and our years on the water had lain dormant, but are still subject to recall when needed. We are able to get from point "A" to point "B," we haven't dredged any new channels with the prop and no fingers have been mashed during docking maneuvers.

There are some significant differences between our last boat and this "new" one. Lacking the full galley of our last vessel we now pack sandwiches and sodas in an ice chest and there is no ice maker, microwave or blender aboard. Numerous other amenities we enjoyed on our former craft are also missing, not the least important being the "head" or marine toilet. There was a rude awakening when the wife realized that the age-old bucket would be the only available alternative for a pit stop on the new boat. Somehow I think we will be making pretty frequent stops at some of the waterfront bars…and not just for a cold drink.

Send an Email Letter to Courier Editor - be sure to include your telephone number.