Rick Buys a Boat

I wanted a boat for fishing. I really enjoying fishing with my friends and family, but sometimes I wanted to go without notice and planning. I had spent some time driving Don’s boat, and found it to be quite enjoyable. This helped me feel confident that I could operate one safely.  I was also about to retire in July.

Since I didn’t know much about boats, I spent the winter before retiring attending boat shows. I looked at many, gasped at the prices, and had begun to settle on a Tracker Pro-Crappie. There was a show in Peoria and Trackers were on display.

Paul and Don went along. Paul started to question my interest. “Hey guys, we should think about how many boats we actually need” Of course I ignored him. That’s like saying “how many fishing rods do you really need?

After looking at the more expensive boats, I found the Pro-Crappie. I was looking it over when a lady approached me and asked if I was going to buy a boat. I said I probably was and she said “I have one just like this for sale”

She went on to say the boat was brand new and never used. I was cautious, but curious. I said “Why did you buy a boat, and then want to sell it?” I figured it was a divorce case. She said “I won it in a grocery store drawing, but I don’t fish” “My son doesn’t want me to sell it, but I think I should.”  She gave me a business card with her number and I walked away.

I was tempted, but I decided the grocery store boat was too risky a proposition for such a big purchase. There was also the issue of service, as I had no clue how to do that.

I put the idea of buying a boat away. With retirement looming, there was much to do to prepare the transition. I put out the word to my friends, and to Paul C., our fishing guide. I told everyone what I wanted to spend, and to be on the look-out.

A month after I retired, I saw an advertisement in the Pantagraph one Saturday morning in August, for a Lund fishing boat. The boat was fully equipped, and it was a Lund. Lund boats are built in Minnesota and are considered one of the sturdiest made. Most models have a deep V design which handles windy conditions quite well. The price was higher than I was thinking, but it was a Lund!

I called, and found the owner lived just a few blocks from me. I went right over.

The boat was a 16 ft. deep V fully equipped for fishing with a 25 hp motor. It was 2 years old. It was a beautiful dark green. The owner had purchased it from my fishing guide, Paul C. He had not used it all season, but it was serviced and ready to go. I knew it was a good buy, and didn’t negotiate the price. However, I did find out he had a 2 hp motor he used to fish on Lake Evergreen. I got him to give me the small motor as part of the deal.

The old saying is a fisherman’s happiest two days are when he buys a boat and when he finally gets rid of it. I was enjoying the first and couldn’t wait to get it on the water. I cleaned up the boat, hosed out the back and drained out the water.

My son, Scott, came home later that day. Scott had experience with boats and motors running the waterfront at summer camp. I needed someone experienced to help me learn.

The next morning the area was covered in fog. It was so thick, you could only see a few hundred feet. I was disappointed, but was so anxious to get the boat in the water, I decided to take the boat out. We headed for Dawson Lake.

I drove cautiously out of town, and it took quite a while to reach the lake. The boat ramp was busy in spite of the fog. We got in line, and eventually were on the ramp. I was to back down the ramp while Scott sat in the boat. Scott was going to back the boat off the trailer, and then I was to pull out the trailer and park. The ramp was difficult to use, as it is quite narrow and steep.

It took me several tries to get lined up properly on the ramp. By the time we got down the ramp, there were several other trucks with boats lined up in the lot waiting to launch.  I was upset at slowing everyone from launching, so I was in a hurry to get off the ramp. I pulled the truck and trailer into the parking lot and started to get out of the truck when I heard Scott holler the boat was sinking.

I quickly hopped in my truck and asked if the other boats would let me back on the ramp. Fortunately they made room, and we reloaded the boat. We reached the parking lot and checked out the boat. I had forgotten to put the plug back in after draining the water the day before.

I replaced the plug. It has never been removed since that day.