Boat$ damn boat$$

 There is an inspirational poster with this quote, "A boat is safe in the harbor, but that is not what boats are for" . Although a little grammatically incorrect, it is meant to inspire one to go out and explore the world and go fishing.  I would change that quote to reflect the reality of boat ownership. "A boat is cheaper in the garage, but saving money is not why you bought the damn thing"

3 years ago I seriously considered getting rid of my boat. That year it cost me several thousand dollars just to keep it operational. See https://principalfishing.blogspot.com/2022/08/closing-in-on-my-second-happiest-day.html

Now after 22 years of ownership, this year hasn't been much better. This summer I discovered the  trailer tongue lacked a drain hole and boat trailer was completely rusted through. 

The repair cost me $600 . The shop had to completely rebuild the tongue.

That expense convinced me it was perhaps time for the boat to go. Well, that and the fact that the boat leaks so bad that we have to pump it out every hour on the water. This in in spite of plugging every visible intake on the boat.

Additionally I have spent hours under the boat with epoxy resin dripping in my face trying to seal every visible seam under the boat. (These are just a few repaired seams.)

Once Scott decided that he wanted the leaky old tub I knew the tires had little chance of making the trip to Texas. Trailer tires only last about 5 years due to dry rot. My boat trailer tires were 16 years old. That was fine for short fishing trips, but not for a 1200 mile journey. Another $250 and I have new kicks.

Yet I can't quit trying to get a few more hours on the boat. Don, Paul and I took her out one more time this past week. While picking up bait, I noticed the license plate was hanging by one bolt. I removed it and decided to drive illegally without a plate. She still leaks, Don still managed to wrap line around my 9.9 hp prop, and we had to violate lake rules by using my 25 hp to get around, but we had a good time fishing. At least one of us caught fish.

When I got home I repaired the license plate holder and drained more water out of her and put more epoxy on the seams. I removed the prop and fishing line, but took over an hour to reinstall it because I put it on backwards. The batteries were nearly dead from running the bilge pump and using the trolling motor to maneuver so more hours of charging them. Just another typical day.

She's down to her final weeks in Illinois. She still gives me enjoyment and frustration and costs me money, but I stand by my quote. "A boat is cheaper in the garage, but saving money is not why you bought the damn thing"

And I didn't tell you about our adventure this week with Paul's boat!