Even though we boaters try to “keep it alive”, it’s just not the same when we can’t make that trip down to the marina and walk down that dock greeting all our neighbors as they lazily relax on the aft deck aboard their floating summer homes. I don’t have to strain to remember the smiles I’m always left with after passing certain boats and hearing the loud and comical laughter from a just told story by one of the boat captains who stopped by to kill some time.

Sometimes (it’s all coming back to me now), I can catch the smell of someone cooking aboard their boat and I think to myself how nice it would be if only they’d invite me in for a taste of those collard greens I smell. Those hot dogs and chips I have waiting for me down on my boat are as un-inviting as a trip to the dentist.

Maybe after I open up the boat I’ll toss a line overboard and see if I can catch a couple of perch? Wouldn’t that be something if I caught enough to cook for me and my neighbors tonight? I know I’ve got a couple of beers in the ‘fridge and a fresh bottle of hot sauce ready to go, There I go, see how my mind can wander off!

The fact is, boating (as expensive as it is) “is” one of our most necessary parts of life itself. I’ve toyed with the idea of giving it up and I know that someday it may very well happen. But until then, I confess that living without access to my (Opps! I mean our) boat during the winter is one of the most difficult times of the year. Sometimes I think my wife really and truly means it when she wishes we could sell “our” boat!

After 20 (+ or -) years of boating, I’ve given up counting down the days before spring launch but I know in the back of what mind I still have, I know it won’t be too much longer before I’m back at the marina, sometimes doing absolutely nothing worthwhile. Yeah, that’s what I’m talking ‘bout! Doing nothing is as much a part of our lifestyle as starting her up and heading out into the river or lake.

Until then, I guess I’ll go on outside and shevel some snow and pretend I’m cleaning the foredeck of my boat. And if I have a beer first, I might even feel crazy enough to take my heavy winter coat and gloves off!

After writing this, I’m about 10 minutes closer to spring launch. You see, it’s not so hard to keep the mind active. And before you know it, it’s showtime! See you in the spring . . . . Captain Howard

Captain Howard (HowT)
“Close Enuff”

Safe Boating & Seamanship Class
2/24/2009

Please contact Randy Donoho (Ph) 313-585-5553 or (email) rcd1948 at comcast dot net or Joe Mastripolito (Ph) 248-561-4112 or (email) jmastripolito at wideopenwest dot com for pre-registration or further information.

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