Just a glorious day on my boat adventures with the boys, but man, this damn boat has been a headache since I've purchased it. However, despite all the issues I have with owning a boat, I do love it. I'm just a glutton for the punishment owning a boat puts me through. You know what they say the boat acronym stands for, don't you? Break Out Another Thousand. Boy, that ain't lying. The problems have just stemmed from trailering the damn thing. If it wasn't for driving the boat across the land to get to the water, we'd be just fine.
On day two of consecutive boating, things have been great. I dropped the boat in the water by the docks.
"Nico! Sit back, daddy can't see, sit back, Nico. So daddy can see that outside side mirror."
The trailer hits the water, and the boat enjoys its bath as it's finally in its element. I jump out of the truck and walk to the head of the trailer, where I will release the boat fully into the water.
"Christopher! Get back in the truck until daddy's finished," I loudly announce.
The boat settles in the slip, and I moor her to the dock deck. The excitement of heading out into the ocean begins to overwhelm me. I need to get off the land. Leaving the dock in my boat feels like driving a car out of my country and into another place.
"Let's go guys, let's get on the boat," I say and then go into singing the lyrics to a song from Poison, "It ain't nothin' but a good time…"
I'm learning to ensure my boat is sea-worthy before I tow it from my house. I check the motor, check the lights, and make sure she's in good working order before I drop her in the water. Trust me; dropping your boat in the water isn't fun, only later to find out it won't start. When that happens a few times, one tends to ensure it will at least start. Then, you have to wait in the heat until someone comes to your rescue with a battery jumper and starts your boat so you can have some fun. Can you tell I've learned the hard way?
The boys jump out of the truck, and we walk to the docks. I jump in and then, one at a time, lower them into the boat. Almost there. We just have to put on their life vests, and we're off!
Dadadada, dadadadada, dadadaadada
The boat won't start.
Take 2, fast forward to now –
"Let's go guys, let's get on the boat," I say and then go into singing the lyrics to a song from Poison, "It ain't nothin' but a good time…" The boys jump out of the truck, and we walk to the dock. I jump in and then, one at a time, lower them into the boat. Almost there. We just have to put on their life vests, and we're off!
Replay (Marina brought over a jump box to start the boat)-
The boat starts, and we are off! Time to enjoy a sun-filled Florida sand bar day. The water had a light chop at 1-2 feet. The sun was beating down on us, but the boat's speed created a nice breeze that was cooling us off, and once I got the Bimini top up, it provided good shade. It is such an excellent ride... (Boat stops)
"Nico! Never, Never touch the boat throttle!"
Okay, so the boat (in gear) is such a good ride. This is definitely a pleasure cruise to relieve the stress off my shoulders. The music on the boat stereo is playing, and I'm in my captain's seat, one foot on the center console, enjoying the ride as we all wave at the passing boats.
"Christopher! Umm, waving with one hand is great. One hand wave and the other hand with a finger up your nose, not good."
We made it! Our destination. It's a sand bar island right in the middle of the intercoastal. This is what I'm talking about. I remove the anchor from the boat and walk in calf-deep water as I push it down into the sand. The boys jump out of the boat from the bow and into the water. This is good, clean, fun living!
"Okay, boys, don't look at the topless girl over there. She's just a little, ummm, chocolate wasted" (thanks, Adam Sandler).
The water is warm, but not hot tub warm; it is just warm enough to tolerate and still cool enough to rejuvenate your body. It was a great time of snacks and drinks and saltwater fun. I guess this is the definition of all those "Salt Life" stickers I see on the cars on the highways and bi-ways around here. It's amazing how sometimes the current will usher in warmer water. It's a great combination of warm and cold...
"Oh, wait. Nico, Christopher. Which one of you is peeing in the ocean?"
But, like all fun things, it must come to an end.
"Thanks for the help, my friendly boat neighbors," I say to the person who docked beside me on the sand bar as he removes my anchor from the ground.
"No, please just place the anchor at the front of the bow. Once I leave this crowded area, I'll secure it."
With that, we were off. It's not a bad drive home in this beautiful weather with gorgeous scenery. Just a minor glitch at the start, but damn, did this turn out to be a great day. Honestly, one of those days you want to bottle up and keep it safe for.....
THUD. SPLASH. CLING. CLING. ZIP.
"Okay, guys, my bad. I should have put the anchor away. I knew one of you would throw it in the water. Especially while the boat was moving. It's alright. The day went great. It's just part of boating; it happens. I still love you..." (voice trails off as we fade off into the sunset).
Anchors away.
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