Why are we here ?

C

Chief Alen

Active member
Joined
May 8, 2009
RO Number
31229
Messages
1,066
Why are we here ?

Not just posting on here, but owning and maintaining a boat, why pursue this hobby ?

Why go thru the expense ?

There is heartache, there is pleasure, there is love, we infuse into our boats.

Why ?

Why do we seek advice and knowledge here, and other sites when we run into a problem.

And why do we, who has the knowledge to share give so freely, without expecting anything in return ?

Why ?
 
ONE of the main reasons for me is the "community" of boaters!!! It's a hobby/passion that aligns me with people of the same hobby/passion and that's JUST where I want to be. I have always said the my boat is my "church" or ,when fishing by myself, MY domain. And if it costs me money to enjoy that....well....money well spent!!! Where else can you "get away" from everything...other than an airplane? Well, actually....in an airplane you are still being monitored by ATC, and after a few hours have to get back to the busy-ness of an airport etc. to get fuel. Once you head out on your boat, and get around the point.....you are on your own. Perfect...... What else is perfect? Meeting a fellow boater at a dock at Wallace Island...someone you've never met before....is originally from South Africa....has a boat twice the size of yours, and he's just as interested in your boat as you are in his! You have BBQ's on the dock together, a few refreshments...lots of laughs...lots of stories. MOST boaters are of a family....you have boating in common. And let's face it, we ALL have stories to tell!!!

The kind of people that own a boat? Get into engine or weather trouble out there.....get on the radio.....you'll see why you enjoy the community of boaters. Sure, it's manditory, up here anyways, to help if you can. But in most cases.....the boater providing aid WANTS to . Last year there was an 18 foot fishing boat....something was wrong as they were paddling towards a dock. I headed towards them to help...looked around and saw 3 other boats heading to them at the same time! And they didn't even ask for help....they were just getting it.

Why do we post on here? For the same reason. Look how fast we all are in responding to a post...especially the ones that have questions or asking for help.

That's my take.
 
We had the nicest spontaneous pot-luck lunch with several of the other live-aboards at our marina yesterday. Beautiful warm day. Nice people. All dreamers... You meet the nicest people boating. (except for Guido with the hairy chest, and gold chains, and the huge sportfish doing 30 knots in the marina... sorry, I couldn't resist..Maybe I have gold-chain/sportfish envy..)
 
"It's a boating thing, you wouldn't understand."
 
I can't explain it, but since I was kid (we have always had a boat/lake house) I have been addicted to water. It's always little events, a certain smell, a sound something that reminds me of growing up on a small mountain lake in NC. For example last Saturday I was working on something on my boat, a neighbor comes by, he is in his 70's. He is driving a little skiff with an old tillery operated Evenrude 18hp on it, boat and motor are at least 35yrs old, but in perfect condition. Next thing I know we are out in that boat like a couple of kids running around -- he is 30yrs my senior, but we could have both been 12 and best friends. For a little while nothing else mattered except the fun we were having in that little boat. We get back, next thing I know he is knee deep in there with me working on the boat -- not because I asked, but because we share a similar interest and he just wanted to. Next day he comes by again, to make sure my boat is running ok. That's why I'm here.
 
Seemed like a good idea at the time. Still does.

To paraphrase the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers: "Boating will get you through times of no money than money will get you through times of no boating". Of course the first half of that is a self fulfilling prophecy!
 
"There is nothing- absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

"In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it."

Ratty, The Wind in the Willows
 
I'm here because my Admiral says we have to have a boat...I have a boat just so she thinks she's in charge...
Besides...I like Rum, and boats and Rum go together...
 
I love sense of community and belonging. Funny thing with boaters, vs other types of communities, is it doesn't matter what size or age of your boat. If you love it, you are one of "us boaters" the "boating community"! Nice.

As far as posting on this forum, for me it is out of self defense. Too many mechanics and other marine suppliers want to take advantage of this little old lady. So I ask my friends here whenever I have an issue. They give me excellent information and suggestions. This often results in my being able to fix it myself and always saves me money!!!!

I love this place!
party-smiley.gif

<group hug>
 
Hi, my name is Captain Pat and I am a BOATAHOLIC. I have been a boataholic most of my life and I know I need a twelve step program to stop boating and to stop spending all my earnings on a boat, but I am so addicted that I am a lost cause, and I will never be cured!

Keep Boating!
 
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