Boating memories with Dad

Hi Guys, good thread

I too, lost my dad about three years ago.
He moved the family to a lake when I was 5 years old. He was not very fond of being IN the water, but he loved being ON the water. We grew up with a 1972 I/O Evinrude and my dad did anything to make sure the boat was running. He named the boat "AJOB". That was so when people would call, my mom or my brothers could tell the person, "he's out on a job". My dad could never tell a lie.
10 years ago, when I was thinking of moving he said one thing. Move on to a lake, whatever it takes. They are always building golf courses to live on, but they're not building too many new lakes. He was a smart man.
I wish I could take my dad cruising in the BFN and I know my brother would love to do the same in his MC, but we know he is with us (and there are times when I hope he's watching my brothers and not me).
My love for boating, skiing, and being on the water stems directly from my dads early decisions and his love for the water. And this is being passed on to my boys by me and my wife.
There is no place I'd rather be than in the boat or behind the boat. And there will always be a seat for you Dad.
Steve

What a great thread. I lost my dad in a car accident when I was 7 years old and while my memories of him are limited, those that I do hold are almost all of time spent on the water.

Of the few items I have to remember him by, I do have probably his favorite. He was a lover of the old wooden boats. He bought this boat a few years before his death and was never able to finish restoring it. After many years of work, I have finally brought it to its full glory in honor of him. Even though it's not a Correct Craft, I couldn't ask for a better way to remember him.

BKH     he already had plans with my mom, but we are going this sunday for shure.
He has called several times and been by my work letting me know how excited he is about going in the boat.

Been so busy doing my own things,   didnt realize how good it makes him feel with me asking him to come do stuff with the me and the boys. Im gona try to keep him involed with our stuff,     "cause you never know".

Thanks for the wakeup call....

      I love reading the stories of the times with our dads on the water with the CC's. I had to add my story and picture. My dad bought this CC in 1971 and he and my mom learned to ski and then he taught my brother and I. What memories we have on Lake Tillery in NC and at White Lake, NC skiing and making sweet memories. My children and my brother's daughter have all learned to ski behind this boat. My children also wakeboard behind this boat. My niece loves to kneeboard and tube behind this boat. My dad would take this boat to the store near our lake house to fill up with gas, and he would always draw a crowd. We would be waiting to go to the water, but my dad had to talk about his boat first. My dad and mom gave us great memories, that now I hope my brother and I are passing down to our families. I know my dad is smiling from heaven, and glad we are still using his Mustang. Please keep these memories coming. I love to read them. Happy boating!!

Jane,

That story made my night. We don't always get it right as parents, we carry a bit of brokeness around with us, but we can, regardless of our present circumstances help build "the story" in the lives of others.

No doubt you are continuing a wonderful tradition.

(Thanks again Brian for starting this thread.)

Chuck

First off I would like to give my best wishes to all the members here that no longer have there dad's with them. The stories you guys have shared have all been great ones.

I am lucky enough to still have my dad with me and I am still learning from him which it a blessing in itself. My favorite memory of skiing with him was;

My cousin and I were about 5 years old and My dad had a 78 SN. On the week ends that we went skiing we would always get to ride the trick skiis with him. He would put me up on his shoulders and my cousin would ride on the skiis in front of my dad. Of course he would always spread the skiis apart a bit so we could put our feet in the water while skiing so we could pretend like we knew how to barefoot. Those were great times, my cousin and I still talk about doing this from time to time.
Now through the help of the guys here at this site My borther and I now know how to foot. I can not wait until next year when my dad will be able to foot with us. As over the past two years he hurt both of his shoulders and it would just hurt to much to foot or ski. So I promised I would work out with him over the winter and we will both get in better shape together, so we can all foot next summer. That will be a dream come true, to be able to foot next to my dad.

Lefty; When your guys are posting "years from now" I hope their link is to their Dad's BFN that they are still using.

Got pics?

john

Nice to see you posting Jane...not just lurking...not many ladies on here. I think only BlondieGurl posts reguarly. You met her..MM's girlfriend.

john

You know we love pictures here.

Have a fun..safe time!

john

I started this thread in recognition of the Fathers. But for me, my Mom played a big part in my life on the water. Today marks 10 years since she passed away.

Mom was the one who took me to swimming lessons beginning before I was a year old. She carted me to practice and meets, and waterpolo games for 16 years.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a home on the water. The only home my parents ever owned. However, it was a small house, and by the time the 4th kid came along when I was 13, things were getting pretty crowded. My parents talked about moving away to a bigger house. It was my Mom who vetoed the move. Mom said if we moved away from the water, we'd never get back. She was right.

My brother, that "4th kid," still lives in their home. Every now and then he'll meet someone who will tell him about my parents skiing escapades which happened long before he was born.

Thanks Mom. I miss you.

BKH

Brian,

I am so fortunate to still have both my parents, just celebrated thier 48th wedding anniversery on Wednesday, Wow! Now thier primary focus is how to get thier Grankid's to mess with thier parents world, kind of like the time My Grandpa, Quintin Quincy Quinn, came to visit us Grandkid's at our Lake house, right as he and G'ma were leaving he opened his trunk and handed out 7 drums, one for each Grandkid, you can only imagine what (7) 5-10yr old's did with those drums in a small cabin, sweet revenge!

All these stories are great. We just spent the weekend at the lake with my family, my brother and his daughter and my MOM. All of you guys are right, moms and dads are the greatest. My mom was and still is always there when we are enjoying the water. She use to slalom (she and I use to do it together), but unfortunately due to her arthritis, she had to give it up, but she has not given up watching us play. She still swims with us, and we enjoy that too. It was great hearing from Reid. Hope your mom had a wonderful birthday. The ski pole is working great. Jeff and I were just commenting over the weekend how we have enjoyed that pole. Thanks again for your help and generosity. Jeff is going to do some work on the Mustang this winter, and he may be in contact with you sometime this winter to get your advice on some things. You are the expert. I have heard that definitely on this forum. We enjoyed meeting JBear, Mrs. JBear, Eddie, and MaddMarxx in Orlando. We missed you and Laurie. Maybe next year. We definitely want you to come visit us sometime at Tillery. Thanks again guys for all these memories. Keep them coming. They all make my day.

I have been reading this thread since it was started. It makes me teary eyed every time.

We never had a boat when I was a kid. We had a lot of other toys but no boat. When I went to college my dad gave me some money to buy a house, which I did. Then when I graduated I sold the house and with some of the left over money I bought my 82 2001. Dad went with me to look at it and pick it up, the whole time thinking I was probably making a mistake. Now he absolutly loves the boat. It was definetly not the best financial decision but getting to ski beside my parents is priceless. We have some great memories in the short time I have owned the Nautique.

One of the best things that happened was replacing the stingers. While this was a horrible job, I will always cherish the time that dad was there to help me. Nothing brings a family together like a project.

Here are a couple of pictures from this summer. One of dad and me and the other of Mom and me. You can not even believe how excited she was to get to ski with me.

8122pbrainard wrote: You have got to love the era of white socks and black loafers!!

And the Ken Spurling signature shorts

CQ, Sunday is going to be a blast. We've got 10 so far with another half dozen "maybes". Chances are you won't be the oldest skier, still a huge chunk of 'Nuts that might show up. Bring that blue boat with the speakers that does 39!