Boating memories with Dad

What a great thread with so many great stories. My love for the water started when I was 5-6 years old. Dad was a fisherman and had never skied in his life. That didn't stop him from buying a pair of wooden kids skis and a tube though and spending hours pulling my sister and I around the lake behind his 16' Lund with a 40HP Johnson tiller. I can remember many days when the engine would spit/sputter and stall. Dad would kick the side of the 6 gallon steel gas can and there wouldn't be a drop left in it. It was no big deal as he'd swap the fuel line over to a full tank and the way we went! As I grew older, and was introduced to knee boarding and barefooting, Dad knew that he was going to have to upgrade the boat. In 1997 he ended up purchasing a new Alumacraft with a 115 HP Johnson, installed a pylon, and a barefoot boom. After fighting hole shot issues with the engine for two years (very frustrating when learning barefoot long line deep water starts), he came home one day with a 1984 M/C S&S. There wasn't anything that could've wiped the smile off my face that day (Ok, maybe a Nautique :) ). To this day I still cannot thank him enough for the sacrifice that he made just so I could pursue my passion for barefooting, knee boarding, and eventually hydrofoiling. A few weeks after purchasing the M/C, he did purchase another Lund fishing boat for himself. He is still my boat driver today and doesn't regret his decisions one bit. It's all about time on the water with family and friends. The biggest way that I can say "Thank You" to him is by spending some time fishing with him once in a while. Happy Dad's Day to all of you fathers out there!       

I got to spend yesterday on the water with my dad and grandpa. My dad's dad passed away a year before I was born and he was the guy who built our lake house. Would have loved to have met him. He was a fisherman and that was reborn in my brother and my dad is the guy who taught me to ski and gave me the love for Ski Nautiques.

My living grandpa was the one who taught me to drive and told me to go buy my boat when my dad wouldn't let me use his alone. So to all of the dads in my family I owe things that have made me who I am today which goes way deeper than boating.

Best boating memory with dad was speed runs in the red and white 74 ski. It had no mufflers and I have perfect memory of the old style yellowed air guides. I was about 6 years old when he sold the 74 and bought the 87.

Got to spend yesterday running around in my boat and dad's new to him 98 snob. Filled both with the family and jammed tunes until dark. I had to head into work today but everyone else stayed for a Monday!

Oletela: I like your "multi-generation lake rat" comment. I can relate, my grandson makes us nine generations on Keuka Lake, NY. Here's one of my favorite photos, my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather in the late 50's.
Wish we still had that boat...although I do have my fathers Century he bought new in 75, which I will be passing on to my son. Great father to son tradition this boating thing is, eh?

Well, I started this thread while thinking of my Dad's birthday. Today he would have been 78. He's been gone over 10 years now, but there are still days where I have that instinctive urge to pick up the phone and give him a call, if only for a moment, before I once again feel the reality that there will be no more calls.

We didn't spend much time on the boat today. Much of the day was spent buying a new bicycle for my daughter. But, I couldn't let this day go by without some time on the water. Dropped her in, and went for a cruise to a local restaurant and marina. Watched the weekenders and yahoos pulling their boats while we ate. Arrived home at our dock just as a large moon was rising. I think we'll go sit on the dock now and eat an ice cream while the sun sets. A simple day that I think my dad would have enjoyed.

If you are new to the forum and have a story of boating with your dad, please, post it up.

BKH

Brian, I am fortunate to still have my dad close by.   I hope to make some boating memories with him soon....   I sold my classic car today, Dad, while he didn't really like to wrench on stuff taught me most of what I know   I had to call him first... It's good to have some one reassure you that you've done the right thing.   I hope your memories of your time with your dad were sweet today, thank you for sharing.

Kris

When I was a kid, probably around 9 or 10, my pops came home with this powder blue powerboat. No idea what it was, I just remember it was an outboard and it was old.

One Saturday in the summer he piled the whole family in that thing (6 of us total) and headed off into the Long Island Sound. Apparently he didn't know what the markers meant and we grounded the boat pretty hard and on top of that, the tide was going out. Fast.

We wound up high and dry not too long after. Not wanting to ruin a beautiful day, we went clamming for the next several hours. I remember the four of us kids running around digging for clams and then running them back to the boat. We must have found hundreds we had so many.

Once the tide came back we managed to make our back to the ramp. It was a great day that I'll never forget. Taught me that the cup is always half full, not empty.

My pops comes down in October and he is pretty psyched to head out on our "new to us" 92 SN.

My father is 55 (I am 26) and he definitely gave me my love of water. He had me skiing on 2 skis at 5, then slalomed at 7, then wakeboarded at 8.

We didn't have a boat until I was around 7. Dad did whatever he had to in order to make sure we got a ride. He borrowed boats, made friends at the lake, etc in order to get us riding.

I will always remember mom and dad getting us up at 7:30 am so we would eat our peanut butter and jelly on toast and be on the water by 8:30. Back then we typically had the whole lake to ourselves (maybe some fishermen were out too)

The first boat dad bought was an Edson with a 90 mariner outboard. The second was a 17 foot larson with a 4.3 mercruiser stern drive.

His brothers had Mastercrafts and just last year he bought a 1998 Maristar 210 in beautiful shape as his first tow boat. I always tell him that his Mastercraft is bush league compared to a Nautique and we have a few laughs. He is such a huge Ford fan and ended up with the Indmar LTR 330 hp Chevy block in his boat. I told him over and over he could have a Ford motor in a Nautique :)


Nowadays I think my love for boats may be spurring him on. I'm on my second Sport Nautique now and I'm always watching craigslist for Nautiques for sale across the USA. Dad started watching the Mastercraft listings now. He called me about a boat in Alabama he thought was gorgeous. He also hadn't skied in years but just went three times last week.

I hope he spends a bunch more time out on the water. I know he doesn't put a lot of hours on his boat.... but he does get it out on the water and drive to his favorite beach to chat with some local friends. And... I hope that my kids get the same opportunity with him that I did.



Maristar 210 - left (dad), Sammy Duvall Prostar - center (uncle), x7 - right (uncle)

My dad grew up on Long Island NY, some where along the line he fell in love with honey bees, his mother saved every penny from honey sold so he could go to college. He decided on Michigan State to study bees and ended up with a Doctorate in education .

Took a teaching job in a small town in MI and built a small house by a small lake. He always told us it was just temporary well I just turned 50 July 19 and they are still there!

I learned to ski with the neighbors boat a 50 merc rinker and the begging began. Our first boat was a used starcraft trihull with a 85 evenrude. That motor is now on my pontoon !

My dad loved to fish for salmon in Lake Michigan and all i wanted to do was ski. My dad rigged a 2x6 across the boat to hold his down riggers and I attached my ski pole to it life was good.

My dad and brother have the same birthday Aug 19, dad turned 85. He went in the hospital last Friday, this time we don't think he's coming home.

Thanks for all the awesome times on the lake dads we love you all.

Kirk     

I know how it is Dwight. My Dad was the greatest, but sometimes he embarrased me too. You're ok. A Mastercraft is not that bad

Kirk, keep the faith man. The Doctors must have told us 5 times this was
the last trip for my grandfather. He lived for years.

BKH

IAughtNaut wrote: A lot of you have met him, or skied with him, or had a beer with him, or gotten caught in the tractor beam that is one of his epic stories.

Tractor beam...exactly. Well said. Jackie can spin a great yarn for sure and his boy is learning from the best. And I'd give my left gentleman's walnut to have that voice! It was great to spend some time with you guys at GL this year.

IAughtNaut wrote: I guess when it comes to boating memories with dad I'm pretty lucky, since I'm still making them.

Indeed. It's good that you know you are lucky as it is happening. Don't ever discount the time.

BKH

boardersdad wrote: Maybe one day they'll post to this thread, or one just like it. Steve "boarders' dad"

so true

My dad wasn't much of a boater so the memories with him are more canoeing and river fishing. But, I am making memories with my kids..

That was then.. (10 years ago).
[/IMG]


This is now.. (this passed summer).[/IMG]

Wow. If that boat could talk.

Wow, awesome thread! Some great pictures, and warm stories, thanks for sharing.
My Dad passed away when I was 8. USMC 20 year "lifer" as it turned out. I remember being fascinated with boats, and floating a cardboard box in some body of water in Cherry Pt, NC, Marine Corp base. (Floated long enough to get me in trouble!!)
After his death we moved back to LI, NY, where Mom and Dad were from. My Uncle, who had a boat, a 17 foot fibreglass with a 60 hp Evinrude, had me out skiing the great south bay at 9! "Uncle Arthur", also had 4 daughters and a wife that HATED that boat which assurred me of plenty of "Ski time"!
I will never forget the first time he "trusted" me to back it off the trailer, hover and pick him up at the dock!! I was 11.
He also insisted while riding in the boat, I had to wear the Mae West vest, Not cool. I followed orders, always, but put in a request to stow that vest. He agreed on the condition that I swim some ridiculus length of water to prove my abilities. I doubled it to his amazement, and my request was granted!
Now, I have three teenage daughters that LOVE the Nautique, and are always ready to go out, and bring friends! As I read this thread, it reminds me that, I too, as a dad, am creating excellent memories for them as well! What a great feeling to consider their future memories!! Thanks!