The day started as any other mid August Saturday did, with me up early, picking up coffee & going for a ride, & ending up at some waterfront park, as I loved the water, just didn't like boats. About 2 hours later, as I was on my way back home, I saw a boat & trailer that was for sale, parked on the side of the road. I stopped, looked it over, & made a note of the owners phone number, why, I don't know. I made a few other stops at local marinas & launching ramps, also unexplainable, until I returned home. I came to the conclusion that "IF" I were to ever consider buying a boat (though that did not make any sense since I did not like boating,) a trailerable 18' cuddy cabin would be best to start with. Since it was a gorgeous day & I did not want to stay home, I starting looking through the classifieds. I made some calls, & went to look at some boats. As I was extremely uncomfortable walking on the floating docks, I did not get on any of these boats. All I really wanted was to get out of the house that day, & be by the water. That evening at dusk, I went to see an older 24 foot cruiser with an I/O, stand up cabin that slept 4, enclosed head & galley. As this boat was larger & more expensive than anything else I was "NOT" considering, & as I said, I was not looking to buy a boat, I went because this boat was docked near my home & it was a nice night. I managed to get to the boat walking on the floating dock, & due to the owners friendliness, found it awkward not to get on the boat. He started it up & offered to take me out, which I declined. Why go out on something I don't want. Out of courtesy I asked him his bottom line, figuring that I would say that his price was too high for me. He told me his price, & much to my surprise someone (it was not me) took out my wallet, gave him a $100.00 & told him that I would be back to water test the boat the next day. I left there in total denial that ME, who never wanted to own or go on a boat, had just bought one. That night I did not sleep. The following morning I went to meet him with the intention that I was going to tell him I did not want the boat. Carefully walked on the floating docks (By now I was better at it) & nervously got on board. As I was going to tell him, he started the boat & pulled away from the dock. After about 5 minutes of holding on for dear life, (I can't swim either) I asked him if I could "Drive." I have never felt so calm about doing something that scared me to death. After a 45 min ride I decided I had to have the boat, left him, & went to find a slip, insurance, & the nerve to admit to myself that I had just bought a boat. Three days later, he delivered the boat to my slip. There I was standing on the floating dock at a Marina, looking at MY BOAT, wondering WHAT THE HELL DID I DO ?

With the memory of that first ride still fresh in my mind, & with the check having been cashed, I decided to try & find someone to teach me how to use this thing. After looking at MY BOAT for 1 week & not being able to find anyone to teach me, I decided that I would have to learn this as I had learned most everything else in life, by myself. I mean I did steer the boat with the prior owner, so how difficult could it be?

The first thing I encountered was trying to start it. I would "pump" the throttle forever, until it would start with the throttle at the center position, on idle. The first time I decided to raise up the engine RPM, by moving the throttle forward, you guessed it, the boat went into gear & I almost ripped out the finger slip I was tied to. The marina's mechanic explained to be about the Button to disengage the transmission. AH HA, at least now I could start it & raise the Rpm's.

Two weeks after getting the boat & still not finding anyone to teach me, I came up with the idea, that to get the feel of the boat, I would just pull the boat straight out from the slip, put it into reverse to stop it, & then back it straight in. What could possibly easier than that? Well I started it, warmed it up, had my lady, who either loves me a lot or was just insane enough to get on this thing with me, untie the lines, put it into gear, pulled it straight out, stopped it, put it into reverse, & had the current & wind push the stern of the boat to the left. There I was, perpendicular to the dock holding on to a piling for dear life, not having any idea how to get back into the slip.
cont>

Over the next 2 months until the season ended, I was on it every possible moment, I learned what some of the buoy's mean, sometimes the hard way by running aground, met the local Sea Tow operator, learned that I can knock my girlfriend off the boat if I hit her in the head while casting, (she can swim) & found some problems with the boat. Was it enjoyable, saying yes is a gross understatement. I should have done this years ago, but the right way. Maybe fear & common sense kept me out of major trouble, but this is not something you should depend on. I think a Coast Guard or Power Squadron boating course should be taken by everyone before they buy a boat, as I am now. Finding out what a shoal is the hard way, as I did, can be expensive & painful. Again, Sea Tow to the rescue, & yes I believe that you should have someone if possible go out with you a few times in the beginning.

I took a chance by buying an older boat without having a surveyor or marine mechanic check it out. Again I was lucky, I found a great 16 year old boat. But had I not been so lucky, what could this boat have cost me to repair, or was it even repairable? All I knew was that it floated, & ran, which was more that I needed.

The point of telling my story is this, yes boating is great, the boaters that I have met are very friendly & helpful people, & I am as hooked as anyone. Next season I actually hope to catch a fish, but be careful, educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about boats, & about boating. Owning a boat is a responsibility, not only your own safety, but you are responsible for the safety of other boaters. There are no brake pedals on boats, (though I am trying to fabricate one,) you have to know what you are doing at all times, as weather conditions & your surroundings change constantly. Yes I have some very funny stories to tell, but my inexperience could have gotten me & unfortunately others, in trouble. Safe boating.

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