Four Suns Chapter 2 - Thanks Sea Ray..

[dpmulvey]

Very nice. Very nice indeed.

 

[SeaNile]

Great post. We recently sold our boat (32 Rinker) with the intention of taking a break from boating for a long time. With two boys 4 and 8 there didn't seem to be much time for boating with all of the birthday parties and sporting events. 24 days go by and here we as boat owners yet again. Couldn't take the thought of not hanging on the boat with the family. Got a 240 SD and plan on being a much more active boat rather than anchoring and swimming. Now I've got the job to teach them, and the wife, how to waterski and wakeboard. Tubing will be easy....just hold on!!!

This pic in our office was killing us and was pretty much the reason for getting the boat.

 

[MasterFab]

I have to say, Gary, you seem to be mellowing with age. Maybe it's because you don't have an appropriate foil anymore, since he who will remain nameless doesn't come around anymore (wait - he has a name now!). I don't think anyone can read this post and not be moved - it's one of the things boating is all about.

Rick - I had no idea - my condolences on your loss. I also lost someone I loved dearly 10 years ago this year. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. Not a single one. And through all of that, there is this wonderful community of boaters, friends, and CSR. And that, my friends, I wouldn't change for all the tea in China.

Dale

 

[BritLady]

Congrats! Great family you have

This pic in our office was killing us and was pretty much the reason for getting the boat.

 

[tdschafer]

I finally had some time last week to head down to the boat and start getting it ready for the season. The 480 DB will be 10 years old next week and this will be our 11th season on it. Started poking through some of the drawers and cabinets and found old journals from the kids along with some pictures from the years we have spent on it. It made me realize how much has changed...

My two oldest sons are out of the house now and my third is leaving for college in the fall. This leaves me with one teenager who thinks he has more world knowledge than God. My two Golden Retrievers are more gray than gold and the highlight of our day now consists of going to the medicine cabinet where we all take our pills at 7 pm and fall asleep by 8 (they are on more pills than me). Hip problems, thyroid problems and too many burgers have started to show their influence (the dogs... not me).

I found this picture of the three oldest boys sitting on the bow of my previous boat (2001 380 DA) while tied to a dock in Maryland:


and the journal entry from my oldest son:

You can tell he had a clear understanding of boating at a young age and is now in the Navy.

There is no doubt it was a privilege to be able to raise the kids on Sea Ray boats and spend the summers like we did. They hated it some of the time... threw up over the edge many times.... but now when these young men call home, they tell me how great the memories are they have from these boats. Both Four Suns (I and II) have been up and down the east coast and there is nothing wrong with going to the CT/RI border from VA to pick up lobster for a Sea Ray gathering in NY... it's about the ride.

I've met some great people and made some great friends along the way and even wrote a book I never published...

(we'll ignore the stalker problem in this post)

"Chapter 2" in our boating journey is fast approaching and I fear my new "signature" will be:

The kids moved out
The dogs passed away
One bored wife

What I would like to say is Thank You to the Sea Ray team that designed, built and supported this boat (esp. Rusty Higgins) and for all of you that have kids, I encourage you to buy the biggest boat you can afford and dump all your cash in the water. You won't regret it.

That's it for today... and no I'm not drinking.

Gary,

Although I usually enjoy your sarcasm and quick wit, I must say that this is the best post I've ever seen from you and possibly on this forum. These are the points I try and explain to my wife when she thinks I only do the boat for myself. There is no better way to spend quality family time than on a boat, together in my opinion. I have many great memories already with the kids on the boat and at the beach. It seems like yesterday I was cradling my oldest guy in one arm and feeding him a bottle or throwing him on my shoulder as I danced to some Beastie boys to get him to go to sleep when the body was ready but the mind was less willing. Now he's 9 years old, 5' tall and 90 lbs! Where did the time go? My younger two kids seem to growing even faster!
I cherish these times and try to enjoy every minute possible. This post is just another reminder to continue on this path because, before I know it, they will move on. Thanks for the Post Gary.

My story is very similar with my three boys. We started with a 28' Sundancer and I can remember all 3 would comfortably fit in the aft cabin at the ages of 6,4, & 2. Five years later, they were outgrowing the aft bed and I was getting tired of sitting on the dock (after a nite of food and drink) waiting for the misses to convert the table to a bed and put the sheets on.....
So then came the 370 Sundancer. We have so many great memories from both of those vessels sleeping out every weekend during the summers....
Now with the 500 Sedan Bridge, we continue to take trips but now that the kids are older, it gets harder with them working summer jobs, wanting to be with friends, etc., but we still get a few trips in as a family. I will say they do have the greatest memories on the boat and reminisce from time to time...
I will tell you that if I could trade my 50' for 28' and a 6,4 and 2 yr old again, I do it in a second...For any of you guys who have young kids, treasure every second because it goes way to fast.......I look at those photos and remember their innocent personalities and wonderment with so many things, and I crave it almost every day......

Steve,

I know what you mean, especially with your last statement. We have talked many times about this. I am so thankful to be able to share such good times on the boat with the kids as well as our trips to Lake George every summer and the crazy sports stuff! Our talks have also served to remind me to take the time now while I can, and enjoy the heck out them! We had a blast last year with the crew at Block Island and the kids have been asking to go back ever since. They can't wait for the Northeast Flotilla trip this summer.

I hope that some day when I am pushing up daisies, they will get together at Fire Island on their own Sea Rays (or any boat really) and toast the good times that we all shared there and think back on these times with as much fondness as I have now.

Todd

 

[blaster]

You should produce a movie. Most people are not capable of articulating that kind of emotion.

I wish I was as cool as you. I've missed too many moments with my girls when I wasn't looking.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Well put everyone that commented. We are truley lucky to be able to have our families and enjoy boating. The memories will last forever. Nice stories guys and gals!!! Nice stories,,,,,,

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Damn you. Ive been thinking about starting to settle down more with the gf..... and also thinking about pooping out a few kids with her. Now im really thinking about it. All my friends are doing it and I c how happy the babies make them and I really want one or two or.... im gunna take my time but cant wait for the memories and good times. Maybe a year or two when I pay off the boat so she cant make me sell it because it cost to much between the kids and the boat. Ha. Great post and hopefully my kids will enjoy the boating world while they grow up

 

[wetpaint]

Great Post Gary.....We need to slow down every once in a while and look back at how boating has galvanized my relationship with my boys. One is going to be a sophomore and college and one will be a senior in high school and will be in California doing an internship.....Our lives have changed and our kids have grown from boys to young men and that is pretty Kewl...Thanks for reminding us garry what boating is really about!

 

[Jaws]

Thanks Gary, that was a great post. Similarly our three children discovered and enjoyed the boating environment through more than twenty years. There were great weekends and the inevitable one to two week summer boating vacations of 500 to 1,000 miles. They all learned how to navigate with paper charts, dock the boat and maintain it. Now that everyone is scattered around the globe, we still reminisce about those wonderful times when they were growing up, "on the boat". James

 

[CSR_Admin]

I grew up on the water with my parents too. "Going to the boat" most summer weekends since I was 3. Lived in PA and kept the boat on the Sassafras River in MD. It has obviously shaped my life since I would not be in the boat business otherwise. I do have so many memories from back then. Wish I could remember more. Like when I was 4, recovering from a scolding my mom gave me about not losing my toothbrush, and then falling off the dock. Its hard to keep your head above water when you can't swim, and you have a deathgrip on toothpaste in one hand and a toothbrush in the other. My brother rescued me, and literally saved my life. I still vividly remember my head going under repeatedly and knowing I was doomed. That is also the last time I didn't wear my lifejacket while off the boat for several years.

Another great memory is the first trip on our new-to-us 47' motoryacht (the prior boat was a 34' sailboat). My poor dad, he tried but never did quite get the hang of it, and consequently was never confident enough to let me have a go at it around the docks. Our first trip was spectacular. Lots of gelcoat shattering! We ended up in Chestertown wedged between 2 other big boats on a T head with a current pushing us against the dock. My dad's newfound reputation brought quite an audience to watch our departure. I knew it was going to get ugly. I was 15 at the time and had been watching the powerboats come and go since I was a toddler. I had seen it all, and had it all figured out in my head. Could I put it into practice? Surely the alternative would be worse? I sat back and watched my dad try to get her off the dock. Weak attempts. Not the "all or nothing" manuever we needed to make to get out of there in one piece. The advice was flying from the dock, just like you'd expect (probably where I learned to keep my mouth shut unless somebody asks me for advice). My dad was sweating, in over his head, but commited to the cause. I gave him a suggestion of what I thought would work, he seemed to agree, and off he went. 3 seconds later in a typical twin screw moment of panic, exhaust billowing out the back, engines revving, shifting with too many turns, and seconds until we crushed the corner of the boat parked behind us as the current pushed us closer and closer, I literally pushed him out of the way, made the few needed corrections and had us well on our way out of the hole. That was the last time he ever questioned me running the boat, and when I officially felt I was destined to be at the wheel.

 

[HUMPH]

Damn you. Ive been thinking about starting to settle down more with the gf..... and also thinking about pooping out a few kids with her. Now im really thinking about it. All my friends are doing it and I c how happy the babies make them and I really want one or two or.... im gunna take my time but cant wait for the memories and good times. Maybe a year or two when I pay off the boat so she cant make me sell it because it cost to much between the kids and the boat. Ha. Great post and hopefully my kids will enjoy the boating world while they grow up

Jonathan, I would advise not to start pooping out kids. That would be pretty crappy.

 

[magstang1]

I don't often share photos of my family, but this is one of those moments in time that are frozen in my memory.

The majority of my most cherished memories are with family on the boat. My son is still young, and this summer I will be blessed with another one. The boat sometimes becomes a point of contention during the long winter months around here. Once the sun starts shining in the spring all the doubt seems to melt away, just as the ice and snow does.

I've spent a considerable amount of time and money working on my boat this spring. Neither of which my wife has been terribly enthusiastic about. I kid you not, the first time she came to the marina this year she says "We should get a bigger boat and a golf cart for the marina". Yes, I gave her crap about that for days.

Xplicitnlck: Don't wait. I hesitated for years, making excuses until my wife nearly begged me. Damn she's always right. (Don't tell her I said that.) Having a large group of friends with kids the same age is something money can't buy. We always seem to buck the trend and blaze our own trail. It's an option, but it's not an easy one.

For the rest of you: The memories attached to this image have carried me through many long, unwelcomed hours at work. I intend to make many more memories this summer.

For me, this is what it's all about. I wish I had figured it out sooner.

 

[boltman]

Gary you'll be fine and it does get better , trust me I have 10 grand kids it is so cool to play with them , tickle them and just have fun, then give them back to their parents and go have a shot of tequila rose.... Chapter two... You might want to find out how to put the excitement back into that wife of yours , 49 years old and feeling great almost empty nest.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Jonathan, I would advise not to start pooping out kids. That would be pretty crappy.

Lmfao nice one. I hear the kid and the poop come together.... eeewwwwyyy

Magstang.
I keep pushing her to get out of school. She keeps signing up for classes for her business. Plants and water hulture or however you spell it, floral classes ect. She graduates college in a couple weeks but I need her to be a little more reliable and start adding to the bank before I make big moves like marriage and kids. I have a great job but its not always like that. I did 18 months off a couple years back becouse it was slow and with kids that would have just been bad. So a nother year or so and the ring will come along and then ofcoarse her being in a big italian family the tradition is a honeymoon baby so were almost there. Im 25 and hope to have my boy and girl by 28.
Scary thoughts but cant wait

 

[magstang1]

I'm in the trades too. I know about work falling apart. I left my wife at home and traveled the country for work the year we were married.

Trust me, you find a way to make it work.

 

[Nehalennia]

A great post for sure. I was anticipating another post about bolts falling off the Cummins or an extreme toe dimemberment from a engine hatch latch or something.

I also would like to thank Sea Ray for their great boats and the joy and bonding it's afforded my family.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Yea im hipeing not to ever have to do that but hey ya gotta do what you gotta do. Its coming soon tho. Cant wait. Thanks

 

[katricol]

You'll be boating with grandkids soon Gary...maybe in a Marlow. Our first grandchild is on it's way to boating with us!

 

[HUMPH]

And then they are asking for the car keys. When your Grandkids are doing that, start feeling old! Hard to believe we have a 16 year old granddaughter.