I have been around boats most of my life, but there is a big difference being around boats and owning one--namely lots of money. Put simply you do not buy a boat unless you are willing to put up with the absurdity of expense and lack of ethics that are endemic with boating. For some, a boat is even more of a status symbol than a car. For me a boat is both something I tolerate and love.
I tolerate boating because of the outrageous expense of anything "marine" and the general belief that if you can afford a boat then you will tolerate being ripped off for gas, repairs and general upkeep. BUT I love my boat, actually boats thanks to Sandy (the sale of my older boat was supposed to consummate the day after the storm, BUT......) Meanwhile my newer boat (3 weeks old) sank on shore after it was hauled for the storm and is now being fixed for a mere $5000 plus $1800 hauling fee for 15 minutes work. Anyhow back to why I love my boat(s)---because they are not connected to land and the mundane aspects of my life. I feel great even when I am only 5 feet from my mooring because I am no longer attached to life as I normally live it. Granted it does not hurt that I live on the water and my boat is in my backyard and thus going boating takes about 5 minutes forethought.
But going boating is like going skiing--you are out of your element and need to pay just enough attention so you do not get in trouble, but way less attention than most of us do for a living. This means you have to let go of what is typically occupying your mind. Unfortunately, thanks to Sandy, where I live there are houses and cars and whatever throughout Barnegat Bay so boating will be a bit slower and more cautious this year. However, for a predominantly audio forum, I found an audio solution---I bought a full JL Audio system complete with JL subwoofer for my boat and more than enough JL Class D watts that I and the people on shore can hear it over my gas guzzling 496 cubic inch marine engine.
So now when I am cruising and looking cool my tunes will be with me.
I tolerate boating because of the outrageous expense of anything "marine" and the general belief that if you can afford a boat then you will tolerate being ripped off for gas, repairs and general upkeep. BUT I love my boat, actually boats thanks to Sandy (the sale of my older boat was supposed to consummate the day after the storm, BUT......) Meanwhile my newer boat (3 weeks old) sank on shore after it was hauled for the storm and is now being fixed for a mere $5000 plus $1800 hauling fee for 15 minutes work. Anyhow back to why I love my boat(s)---because they are not connected to land and the mundane aspects of my life. I feel great even when I am only 5 feet from my mooring because I am no longer attached to life as I normally live it. Granted it does not hurt that I live on the water and my boat is in my backyard and thus going boating takes about 5 minutes forethought.
But going boating is like going skiing--you are out of your element and need to pay just enough attention so you do not get in trouble, but way less attention than most of us do for a living. This means you have to let go of what is typically occupying your mind. Unfortunately, thanks to Sandy, where I live there are houses and cars and whatever throughout Barnegat Bay so boating will be a bit slower and more cautious this year. However, for a predominantly audio forum, I found an audio solution---I bought a full JL Audio system complete with JL subwoofer for my boat and more than enough JL Class D watts that I and the people on shore can hear it over my gas guzzling 496 cubic inch marine engine.
So now when I am cruising and looking cool my tunes will be with me.