Boating

June 14, 203

We've been powerboat owners for quite a few years now and I guess it's about time I tell you about our experiences.

Pleasure boating can be quite enjoyable and will take you places you can't otherwise go, especially if you can't rent a boat.

As with any hobby, it's not cheap and you should consider that besides your loan payment (if you're not paying cash) there will be inevitable repairs due to your own stupidity and due to general part failure and if you do any boating in salt water the occasional dead head will ruin your day and break your wallet.

Here in the Pacific Northwest there is always all sorts of debris in the water, especially logs. One of these days I swear I'm going to sue all logging companies combined.... every year I go through at least one or two propellor repairs. Most recently I hit an unseen log (because I didn't have my eyes in front of the boat 100%) and literally tore off the cavitation plate on the motor (lucky it didn't sink - was hanging on by a hair). It cost me about $300 in parts plus time. Fortunately for me my good friend Rene and another friend, Lawrence, did most of the repair work which required welding and a bit of milling machine cleanup. I finished the rest with a grinder and a can of matching spray paint.

On top of the welding and grinding job, I had to replace the engine mount in the leg which had torn into two pieces damaging the leg cover.

But it's definitely not all doom and gloom. Some of our most memorable days have been while boating. Last summer while fishing for salmon just off of Point Grey (UBC) a pod of killer whales went right by our boat within 100ft. We could here the whales breathing! Incredible experience.

Beach barbeque's on some of the Howe Sound islands and water sports including kneeboarding, scuba diving, tubing and water skiing are some of the pleasures.

Most people that haven't owned their own boat don't realize all the behind-the-scenes work that goes on when you're an owner. They just think you're lucky to own a boat and they can ride along.

Especially in salt water, when you pull your boat out with the trailer you have to carefully rinse everything off including the boat and every part of the trailer. Salt water is an acid and will eat your boat and it's components alive!

Anyhow... click the links above and to the left for other boating subjects. Changing gearcase lubricant and winter storage articles are in the Force Outboard section.

Are you looking to have a custom-built aluminum boat? Look no further than www.ironwoodboats.com/ located in New Westminister, BC. Figure on paying $1500-2000cdn per foot of hull length depending on interior finishings. These are very high quality boats that look as smooth as fiberglass.

Safe boating!