Wow what a great thread. I lost my dad a year ago. I miss him terribly. I cherish the memories I have of him being on my boat.

I have my Dad to thank for my love of this sport, all the way back to the 1969 18' Imp he had since before I was born, which he kept until I bought my first boat in 2001. I had a water skiing accident behind that boat in 1994, and it still didn't deter my love of the water. I was injured, but since my Dad was driving; I think it hurt him the most. I also remember the trip down to Michigan Avenue in Chicago in the late 80's to see the Miami Vice Scarab.

I've since taken him on several Poker Runs across the country, and on our annual "Thunder Run" through the Keys which was a bucket list/dream trip for him.

1) Dad with me the day I bought my Sonic
2) Running BIG water in Chicago Poker Run
3) Running into downtown Chicago
4) Running down Miami Beach
5) Dad's version of Hulk-a-Mania via wind off Miami Beach

You're dad and i share the same operation and the same taste in music, wish him the best.

you guys are lucky to have dads that share your taste in boats, mine is a wus when it comes to speed, needless to say we don't get along to well.

JackieBoy, I most certainly will. In fact, he checks in on this thread periodically. I appreciate it.


Dad introduced me to boating at a very young age. Had my first boat, a little run-about, that I was allowed to idle around the finger. GRaduated up to some other old beaters. Eventually, in middle school, got a 15' Whaler. All my friends had similar boats. We'd water ski and hit McDonalds every weekend for years.

Now the toys are bigger, just like the love of the sport. Since we don't live on the water, I keep my boat on a lift behind his house. He can drop it whenever he wants and go play. It's nice to give something like that back to the person who introduced me to the sport.

He's perplexed that the next boat will only be driven by me. But when he goes for the first ride, I know he will understand why.


If I get the time, I'll find and post an old picture of him driving a Cigarette I partnered in on about 10 years ago.

My dad got me started with the boating bug. And the speed infatuation at the ripe ol age of 9 months, going to my first drag race. I don't go to the drags much anymore, would rather be on the water with my family...
Thanks for your stories.