Long road home - Zoe's new 1988 SKi Nautique |
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storm34
Grand Poobah Joined: November-03-2008 Location: Dexter Iowa Status: Offline Points: 4492 |
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Posted: April-29-2014 at 5:16pm |
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This may be a novel, but it's a story that starts nearly 10 years ago when my family owned this 1988 Ski Nautique. That boat sold in 2009 but I always hoped I would own an 88 again....
Flashback to 2005.... I was enjoying the last of my care-free summers as a kid skiing as much as possible and racking up hours on our 88, 1900 exactly when I loaded it on the trailer for the last time. I would pick up my younger ski buddy (Nick) from across the lake in hopes that his hott aunt (Zoe), who was a year younger than I and visiting for the summer, would ride along as our spotter. That's how we spent the better part of three summers- Nick, Zoe and I skiing the heck out of our 88 Ski Nautique. Zoe and I developed a relationship, call it a summer fling, which was always cut short by her going back to college in Oklahoma. We wouldn't realize how much we enjoyed that time together until later in this story.... While on a summer vacation with my ski buddies in 2005 I spotted an identical twin to our family boat. It sat on a lift, covered to the waterline and when we looked under the cover I was shocked to see such a well cared for 2001. Here's a picture circa 2006 of my buddies holding our family's 88 Ski while I check on our identical twin. We kept tabs on the identical twin for the next few years on our vacation trips to Delhi. When the Lake Delhi dam broke in 2010, I kept an eye on the area Craigslist in case the boat came up for sale. Sure enough, a few months later the boat re-appeared and I knew just the guy to buy it! Paul and Jen Sandstrom had been our camping neighbors at Green Lake 2009 and always liked our 88. Paul would tell me how that color 2001 was his dream boat so I knew he would jump at the chance to own this gem. I called Paul immediately after seeing the ad, told him to get on the road and asked that I be his first call if he ever solid it. Paul and Jenny bought the boat the next day and did a great job caring for the boat over the next few years and were even featured on the CCF Calendar!! Over the years, Zoe (the hott aunt) and I stayed in touch and in 2012 we rekindled our old fling when she visited again for a family wedding at the beginning of the summer. Instead of fulfilling all her required Bridesmaid duties, She and I spent the long weekend skiing and hanging out on the lake. I quickly remembered how much fun we had together and she realized how much she enjoyed the lake. To top it all off, she told me there was a chance she'd be moving to Iowa for good later that summer. I was fresh out of a 5 year relationship and she was trying to figure out her own situation so things were very respectful, not that they weren't before. Sure enough, she moved to Iowa that July! Within a few days I think we both knew "this was it" and our official relationship began shortly after. Throw in a few CCFan events and she was hooked. Within a year of her moving to Iowa, almost to the day, we were married! A week after the wedding Zoe and I took our honeymoon (kidding if she asks, but not really) to Green Lake, WI for the 2013 Green Lake Reunion. While at GL, Zoe and I took a ride down memory lane in Paul and Jenny's beautiful 88 Ski Nautique that I had been keeping tabs on for so many years. Paul gave me the keys and Zoe and I cruised the Norwegian Bay remembering our younger years. We had a blast that day in such beautiful boat that brought back so many great memories. Later that evening, Zoe told me we would buy the boat if the chance ever presented itself. To top it all off, Paul and Jenny brought home the 2013 Green Lake Best In Class award for the 1980's! Here's the boat at the Friday night boat show. Now to the whole point of this post.... A few months back, Jenny informed me they would be selling the 88 this spring. While it wasn't the best timing for Zoe and I with a new baby and house renovation happening, we decided we couldn't pass up the opportunity to own this one! Zoe stuck to her word that we would buy the boat if the opportunity presented itself and now she officially has her first Correct Craft. Paul and Jenny had the boat water ready for us and left Cable WI at 4am Saturday morning to meet me just south of Minneapolis. I'm sure it was hard for them to part ways with such a beautiful machine but they knew it was going to a good home. They couldn't have made the buying process any easier, so Thanks again to Paul and Jenny!!!! I had the boat home just after lunch and we headed straight for the ramp for a quick boat ride! Zoe started earning her stripes as a boat owner the next morning changing the plugs, wires and basic tune up stuff. We racked up 3 hours Sunday morning drinking coffee and idling around the lake....this time as a family. Now for a few pics! Maddox inspecting the old plugs as mom installs new ones. And the boat itself... Tucked away in the garage with the 78 Tique. |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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Touching. Just as I opened this thread Richard Marx - "Endless Summer Nights" came on the radio...
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Smithfamily
Platinum Member Joined: December-26-2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Status: Offline Points: 1602 |
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Wow. That's a great story! You are doing a great job taking care of that girl, keep it up! Actually I meant Zoe, but you doing well with the boat too!!
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Js
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Kristof
Grand Poobah Joined: October-08-2007 Location: Bree, Belgium Status: Offline Points: 3397 |
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Beautiful, great, awesome story Chris!!
And congrats to Zoe as a CC-owner that knows her way around a boat and it's engine... We need more stories like this... Edit: with your fleet, you should be voted for president of "Team Blue" |
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- Gun control means: using BOTH hands!
- Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
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peter1234
Grand Poobah Joined: February-03-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2756 |
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one of my favorite stories ever on here .
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former skylark owner now a formula but I cant let this place go
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storm34
Grand Poobah Joined: November-03-2008 Location: Dexter Iowa Status: Offline Points: 4492 |
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Thanks guys! She's very well taken of...both Zoe and the boat!
Not sure how I forgot to include this picture. Maddox helping me change out some hoses last night while Zoe made dinner. |
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phatsat67
Grand Poobah Joined: March-13-2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 6151 |
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Clearly that's a boat that just arrived at its forever home because there's no way Maddox will be letting that boat go.
It's interesting the amount of sentimental weight an object can hold in peoples minds. |
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DHart
Senior Member Joined: August-04-2011 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 239 |
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Awesome story Chris, I am a huge fan of the boat! Please tell me you are bringing it east towards the end of August. We need a picture of the BFN and SN together.
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JoeinNY
Grand Poobah Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5698 |
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sounds like you better ask Zoe! |
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Nice story Chris,I'm glad you could make it happen,it always seems everything happens at once! What are Jenny and Paul going to do for their next boat? and how do you guys with more than one boat decide which one is going to a CCF event?
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dwouncmd
Gold Member Joined: July-10-2009 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 919 |
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Cool story. A match made in heaven, all the way around.
I have a green 89 SN and green 78 Tique pair in my garage. I have a long way to go to get the SN to be a pretty as your 88, though my Tique looks OK. |
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89 SN
<a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6567&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow">7 |
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JPASS
Grand Poobah Joined: June-17-2013 Location: Orlando Status: Offline Points: 2283 |
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Great story and one sweet boat. Cool that you're both getting your son involved so early.
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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique
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IAughtNaut
Grand Poobah Joined: August-22-2010 Location: TN Status: Offline Points: 2568 |
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its too bad Zoe hates me so much, she's turning out to be more and more of a keeper with every story
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Chris,
Fantastic story. Keep up the good work on preserving the CC's. Plus I see you are keeping Zoe happy. It's great you picked a mate that's into the boating as well. I did too! Over 30 years now for me! What's the latest on the Chris? PM me if you don't want to post. Did Bottoms Up do a good job? |
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OverMyHead
Grand Poobah Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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Chris, I hate to admit I was so moved your by post, but what a great love story, A pair destined to be together, kept apart by circumstances and then finally reuniting to spend their lives together. Don't get me wrong, yours and Zoe's story is nice too, but you and the '88, that is magic. Congratulations. Had I known you were in town I would have offered to buy you a Minneapolis Beer.
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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lewy2001
Grand Poobah Joined: March-19-2008 Location: NSW Australia Status: Offline Points: 2234 |
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Great story and very nice 88 I also admired that boat at GL last year.
Chris you sure have found what it takes for happiness. |
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If you're going through hell, keep going
89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
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storm34
Grand Poobah Joined: November-03-2008 Location: Dexter Iowa Status: Offline Points: 4492 |
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Dave, I was thinking the same thing! Calendar pic for sure!
Gary, like Joe said....You ask Zoe! She's extremely excited to get it to a reunion. Adam, your performance at the Steeler Den canceled out any preconceived notions. Pete, the Continental is coming along quite nicely just taking a bit more time than expected. We were hoping to have it back for the summer but its looking like late fall would be more realistic. I'll shoot you a PM with the details. |
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storm34
Grand Poobah Joined: November-03-2008 Location: Dexter Iowa Status: Offline Points: 4492 |
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Dave, I was thinking of connecting with ya since I was in the area but it was a pretty quick trip. We're traveling quite a bit so my window to get this thing was pretty small. We'll have to connect later this summer sometime for an Iowa mini or Minneapolis get together!
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mann1ba
Groupie Joined: November-27-2013 Location: White Lake, Mi Status: Offline Points: 88 |
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What a great story. I really was moved.
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1986 2001
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Chevy350
Gold Member Joined: June-24-2013 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 721 |
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Beautiful boat you have gotten Chris! Great story also!
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1972 Mustang
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OverMyHead
Grand Poobah Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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I would enjoy that. The furthest I typically get into Iowa is to lake Okaboji ( down in mid august this year), but I could make an exception. If you are back up here be sure to let me know. |
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7953 |
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Great story and nice boat, Chris. Congrats on the whole deal! You've accomplished a lot.
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Mojo
Grand Poobah Joined: December-06-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3106 |
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Way cool Chris, thanks for sharing. Awesome addition to the Mars' fleet..
So what is Paul and Jen replacing this beauty with? Moj' |
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05' SV211 TE
73' Martinique had:96' SNOB had:76' Nautique had 77 Tique |
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scottb
Senior Member Joined: July-05-2006 Location: Bolingbrook, IL Status: Offline Points: 376 |
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Very cool story! Who doesn't like hanging out in the boat in your pj's?
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storm34
Grand Poobah Joined: November-03-2008 Location: Dexter Iowa Status: Offline Points: 4492 |
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Mojo - sounds like the Sandstrom's have their eye on something they can restore in the next few years. I'm sure Paul will be updating us on his new ventures.
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Frankenotter
Platinum Member Joined: August-26-2012 Location: Milwaukee Status: Offline Points: 1072 |
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Cool story and an awesome boat. That thing was an eye catcher for sure at green lake last year. The sandsstrom's were very proud of that boat. They must have something big in the works.
Chris, your story should be a hallmark card. Now that the Mars hanger is getting pretty tight, I thought I'd offer to help you out a little bit by taking that promo off your hands. |
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1999 Ski Nautique 196
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SNobsessed
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Chris & Zoe - I think you have the makings of a 'made for the internet' movie. I hope to get to see your family sometime this summer.
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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Morfoot
Grand Poobah Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5320 |
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Get in Line! Great story Chris thanks for the history on the boat and you and Zoe. Glad she finally has one of her own. Better hope Maddox gets into skiing! How cool would that be? A different boat to ski behind for each day of the week. |
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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lewy2001
Grand Poobah Joined: March-19-2008 Location: NSW Australia Status: Offline Points: 2234 |
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Put me down for first dibbs on the pretty blue 2001 Ski |
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If you're going through hell, keep going
89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
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skutsch
Grand Poobah Joined: June-19-2008 Location: Racine, WI Status: Offline Points: 2874 |
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Good Stuff Chris - you guys are off to a GREAT start! Congrats on the new boat too!!!
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