My dads new boat...(kinda long)

JayhawkCurtis said:
My dad just called, he wont make it until tomorrow, so I went ahead and started her on muffs at my campsite, success, idled well, infact maybe a little to high. I forgot to bring my tach, so I will play it by ear. I am going to go ahead and launch her, I will be the only boat on the lake on a weekday morning. He didnt have an oar onboard, so I took mine out of the sea ray. The light wind will be blowing me back toward the the boat ramp should I have trouble. And the good news is on our little lake, 50' from shore in any direction the water is anywhere from 3' to 5' deep. so touching is no problem.

I know everyone is sitting on the edge of their seats with anticipation, so stand by!! o_O:)
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That's the way to do it. Get it running in tip top shape before he sets foot on it again. And make sure you get it in the will. :)
 
You're doing the right thing Jayhawk, best of luck to you.

Suprised he didn't have you look at it first, I also understand the "family thing" all to well.

Do it for your Dad, screw the rest of 'em. Kudos man
 
JayhawkCurtis said:
I agree with everything you said Brad. My dad and mom were married for 52 years before they divorced about 7 years ago, she passed 2 years later, and my dad married this lady. I do not care for her in the least, but I went to the wedding, (3 of my siblings refused to go) and I try to play nice. Part of me wanted no part of this boat, but I thought I would try to make her run because I can see the tension it is causing between them. I do not like her, but I also know that it does no good for a wedge to be driven between them, and so I try.
Btw her good brother sold her this gem for 4500? You know what the say about a fool and their money.
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Maybe she gives a great B.J.
 
Well as they say the third time was the charm. I put her on the lake yesterday, and I admit I was a little nervous when I backed her off of the trailer, but had no problems at all. I ran her south about 5 minutes and a slow cruise, came to a stop and shut it off, restarted a couple of times and when it is warm, it really starts up well. kicked it up a notch on the way back to the boat ramp and she scooted along just very well. I ran seafoam in the new tank of fuel, when I got back I felt the idle was a little high, so I slowed that down just a touch. She shifted smoothly both going into forward and reverse.
Dad and his crew are coming up this morning about 10-10:30, I will see them off, and stay close by in case he has any trouble, but after yesterday, I feel confident she is sea worthy, as it were.
Thanks to all for listening to my tale, I hope I can see dad smile while on his boat this time, hated to see his agrivation the first 2 attempts.
Cheers to all
 
JayhawkCurtis said:
Ok, my dad just turned 80, we had a boat when I was young, but he sold it when we had to move to Goodland. So he has been boat free since about 1973. His wife decided to buy him a boat for his 80th birthday. Not a good idea in my opinion, that is the age to be getting out of boating, not starting up. So she bought this boat from her brother, who told her he had gone through the whole thing, and while an old boat, was mechanically sound.
Attempted Launch #1 : About a month ago we were camping and boating for the weekend at our lake, and he called and wanted to come up and get her wet for the first time while we were there to help him out. I was playing with the grandkids when he got there, so I sent my son on his jet ski back to the ramp to help dad get the boat on the water, and bring him to us. Now I still have not seen this cherry boat, and did not have any idea this would be a problem.
Well after about 45 minutes my son came back for me, and said they needed my help, they got the boat off the trailer, and to the dock, but it died and could not re-start.
So I go with my son to the dock, and there sits my dad, his wife, and his 3 foster children baking the Oklahoma sun, right in the middle of this piece of crap pontoon. Well by the time I got there the 85 horse Force outboard had cooled off, and I was able to get her started, but noticed there was no water coming out of the exhaust ports just above the water line. I let it idle for a bit, but could feel the heads getting warmer and warmer, and told dad we better shut her off.
So we got her back on the trailer, and I took them on my boat and even though I had my 9 grandkids to entertain, I made time for his foster kids, and made sure they had a good time for a couple of hours, until dad was ready to leave. He was very agitated over the whole ordeal, I told him not to get angry, he said it was too late.
I told him I would order an impeller, and let him know when it was in and I would install it for him. So he left, and I finished the day thankful for my sea ray, and had fun with my grands.
Stay tuned!!
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Her brother is a major Dick.
 
JayhawkCurtis said:
Thought I would throw in a couple pics of said boat *ahem
View attachment 132356 View attachment 132357 View attachment 132358
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She's a beaut Clark.....couldn't resist.

So you were the one that lived in Goodland. We used to go to California a lot when I was a kid and our first stop was always Goodland. No offense, but I hated that place.

I admire what you are doing for your Dad. I wish mine was still around to enjoy our boat. He loved going out for the day and watching my kids tube, ski and wake board.

I truly understand what it is like getting fucked over by a family member, but that pontoon takes the cake. Her brother should have paid her to take the thing. I would beat the shit out of that piece of crap, but that's just me. Glad you got it running for your Dad, you're a good man.
 
Your thread makes me think back to my dad who died in his early 90's. He lived in Saginaw, MI and had about a 36' lapstrake hull "cabin cruiser" that he used to salmon fish on Lake Michigan. He told me he'd pack what he needed for a weekend, sneak out of work early on Friday and head across the state to go fishing. Every weekend during salmon season he did that.

I never saw the boat because of a strange set of circumstances I didn't meet him until he was in his 80's and had already sold the boat.

It's amazing what can be resurrected through photographs.

Curtis, you have no idea how lucky you are to have been able to enjoy bringing that old 'toon back to life for your dad.
 
Gotta admit, after some of you good people mentioned you wish your dads were still here, I got a little teary eyed at this pic!
A47B244F-7823-417B-A7F1-AECEB0B0DFF2.jpeg
 
Ok this will be my last pic on the thread, you have all been so patient in this thread. Dad and I rafted up in the middle of the lake ( with many many fenders between us! Lol) my son took his foster kids on jet ski rides, and dad told stories of his times on the lake many years gone by. Good time for me for sure
EDB6EABA-2E1B-4B29-B734-118F5CF4C9E8.jpeg
 
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