General Fun on the Water thread. . .
 

Friends,

Many of you don't know that my father barely survived a quadruple bypass and valve replacement surgery 2 years ago. They couldn't restart his heart. Once they did, he spent 10 days before they could wake him. It was my first really scary brush with possible death in my immediate family.

Many of you can empathize with situations like that or much worse, the actual loss of a close loved one. I am very lucky. He survived. It took almost 4 months to get him strong enough to leave the hospital. He has been basically fine since.

I took last Friday afternoon off and spent it with him and a close friend of mine since high school. This friend actually moved in with my father after the surgery to kind of 'be there' just in case. Several months ago, he lost his father great man and Tetris master. Then, a few weeks ago, Darren moved out to get his next phase in life moving. I am eternally grateful for his help.

We started Friday by installing a new windshield I had made to replace the worn-out piece on my Scarab. (I keep my boat on a lift behind Dad's house since we don't live on water in South Tampa. . . yet.) We then splashed the boat as we had to make sure the sun came through the windshield perfectly. What better way than to hit the bar at the Wharf, then a booze cruise from Pass-A-Grille pass to John's Pass.

We didn't get wonderful shots of the boat, just us enjoying the time with my father. And my father had a wonderful moment. We cranked his favorites up: Pink Floyd, Jimmy Buffett, Foreigner, etc. Hitting some small waves in the Gulf as the sun set to our left. It was wonderful.

Here are some photos. BTW, my apologies (again) to any waterfront residents in the Treasure Island ICW. Like always, that stereo is just too damn loud. If I could hear you, I'd have turned it down. :)

Thanks for letting me share with you all.

PS: Dad loves my Scarab but keeps pushing me to get a Cigarette or fast cat. Just might have to grant his wish soon.

100% what its all about Jon.

Great pic with dad.

That's awesome and good for you! :)

Some of my best boating memories were times spent with my Pops on the water before he passed in 2001. I sure do miss him!

Craig

Really nice!

Good story, Jon. You really look like him.

Great day for sure! Treasure these times, I still idolize my dad, lost him 14 yrs ago and miss him dearly. Thanks for sharing.

Fantastic, Jon!!! That's what it's all about! Looks like a really special day for the two of you.
And I like the way your ole man thinks on your new boat.
:)

Thank you guys for the great comments. We only get so many 'moments' in our lives. That day was a great one with him.

If I can get the home purchase out of the way this year, the cat will be on the way.

Great story and pics. Its good for us all to have a reminder about how important family and close friends are!

Good stuff

Awesome story, time flies, and life can be too short.....

Craig

Buddy, that picture you posted makes me think you should be at the end of your driveway with a fishing pole in your hand.

Buy a hat and use some sunscreen :):):):)

Thanks for sharing your story about your Dad and your friend staying with him, to make sure he was on his feet again and OK.

LMAO!!! that was from 1993...before we worried about sunscreen! :D

+100 That's a good friend right there!!

He is the best friend. And all of you can appreciate the level of banter he, our other best friend Pete and I share. It gets epic, especially when the wives are around. Chick just don't understand.

Brenda and I don't get alot of time on the water without the kids, dog (Scooby) and a nearby beach destination. But we do hope to sign up for a local poker run this year with my father in tow. Hope to see more of you out there.

Thanks again for the great comments. In fact, if any of you have some special story of 'moments' on your boat with family members, please share. (And I'm not referring to Clay in Texas-type moments with strippers. Although , he needs to get that thread moving in the Uncensored section again)

This is bringing tears to my eyes (truth) right now. Lost my dad in '03 and IT SUCKS. Treasure every single second with him.

Here is one.

When I had my 43 cat. I took it for a toot around my lake.

My home got 2 calls warning me that I was driving too fast and they were going to call the police.
When I retuned their calls when I got back and told them who was steering they laughed and said to forget they complained.

My 87 year old mom was a champ at the wheel at 125 mph.

Great story. We should invest a fire-proof cap that won't burn the skin of the elderly. They can get that one last thrill in with their hair actually on fire.

I look at your old Cat in the ads periodically. My father would be thrilled riding in any kind of cat. But there is something to be said for having enough boat to do any kind of run.

Thanks for sharing INdy. We all learn from other's loses to appreciate what we have. I think of friend who are not able to be with loved ones and it motivates me to budget more time with family.

Good post. We seem to forget whats important in life. Looking forward to boating a lot with my pops and family this summer.

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

Dad
 

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.