I have had a fantastic time with it. Adventures and stories to tell unavailable by any other venue.
I centered around "the life" for 20+ years and got some of the best it had to offer...
with that said, as I get older and try to cover many more interests on a 'lil less energy and seemingly alot less time than 20 years ago...
I question the extent of the committment. I'd never loose my affinity for getting out on the waterand would like to pass it on, but a sinpler, easier, less expensive mode would be OK and enjoyable for me now.
plus I'm 3 years into a relationship that brings 4 children. The perf thing is just impractical
Now that's a life I've never lived, one of those other newfound interests I spoke of...

so yea I'd do it again, of course!
but at different places in life I'd be doing it differently.

I'll always own a boat, it's in the DNA !!!!!!

I would do again also, but if I had the knowledge of the boats I do now, I would definately do it differently......

"There is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

I can't imagine not being on the water. It is the motion that comes from being in a boat that I enjoy. While I love performance boats as being the most capable boat simply for the sake of boating, I have never met a boat I did not enjoy being on. Sail, cruise, pontoon, dinghy etc. They're all great.

As mentioned in a previous post on this thread, the only problem is finding others to share this passion. Around here, the only boaters are fishermen or skiers. The boating is secondary.

Dan

I too was brought up boating, Drag racing and snowmobiling. With 2 young kids, I sold the Mustang when my son (4) born and just sold the last snowmbile, last fall. We are on our 3rd boat and injoying every minute of every summer as a family.

My favorit saying is, cant put a price on fun!!!!

I am living the dream I had as a kid watching all the offshore races and go fasts of my youth! I love being on the water and couldn't imagine not owning some type of boat and with my lack of patience, it has to be somewhat quick! Down the road, the hardcore go fast may soften a bit but there will be a performance background in it some where.

I'm out right now (sold the boat a couple months ago) but will get another (bigger) boat as soon as I can. I even thought about buying a cheap little run about just to cruise the harbor until I can get another performance boat.

I do a lot of other stuff (Harleys, off roading, hot rods, etc) but I find boating to be the most exhilarating and relaxing hobby. There is nothing like running high speed in big water in the ocean. And the thrill of running with a bunch of other boats can't be beat. Watching the other boats wave jumping at the same time you are just puts a smile on my face. When you see one of your buddies hit a big hole and hang in the air I just grin because I know the exact feeling they are experiencing.

At the same time, there is nothing like running out a few miles off the coast and then just shutting down and floating. We almost always see dolphins when we go out and it is so cool to stop and watch and listen to them as they go by you.

Or just sitting in the boat at the dock, having some drinks and eats, relaxing with good friends. I love hanging at the marina in the evening after all the non-boat people have left. We'll set up the tables on the dock with our BBQ grill, coolers, etc and have a little party. Other boaters will drift by and join us regardless if the they are cruiser people or even blow boaters.

And it's always fun to go dingy cruising around the marina, taking your cooler of drinks to share with other boaters.

So for me it's not just owning a boat but the experiences you have because you boat.

Well said...you just saved me a lot of typing.lol

I say the same thing. But we also know tey would be less fun than boats.

Great post!!