Is it normal to be happier when washed and tied off than underway

[temptress]

I love my boat, but I think that I am way more relaxed and happy when I am tied off in the slip with my shore power hooked up and A/C blasting, radio going, kids laying down watching a movie, boat gleaming from a fresh wash, and a cold beverage in my hand. Does anyone else feel like this or am I a horrible boater??

 

[jason78]

I love my boat, but I think that I am way more relaxed and happy when I am tied off in the slip with my shore power hooked up and A/C blasting, radio going, kids laying down watching a movie, boat gleaming from a fresh wash, and a cold beverage in my hand. Does anyone else feel like this or am I a horrible boater??

I feel the same way at times. I was suffering from a case of maintenance fatigue last week. I had the boat pulled Monday and spent every afternoon last week after work cleaning the bilge, washing, waxing, outdrive maintenance, bottom paint (and supervising compounding and gelcoat repairs) then to get back in the slip Friday only to have to put up a darn tarp on Saturday. (we have spider issues at our Marina so we have to attach tarps up against the roof). I found myself just wanting to leave the darn thing but I am sure it was because of maintenance fatigue.

My list is getting shorter of all the things I wanted to do since I bought the boat. I am sure I will be missing her soon as I have a Cub Scout campout with my oldest son this weekend and a bunch of stuff going on (non-water) the following weekend.

Sometimes, it is nice to go out on a dockmate's boat though and relax with a cold beverage. It can be more relaxing not being captain! :grin:

 

[Sundancer]

I'm happy ON it whether the motors are turning or not. We don't have a slip, but at anchor or tied up to a dock is just fine by me.

 

[320Bob]

No, I can relate.

Although I was just remarking to a friend of mine, or more lamenting, how nice it would be to just run a tank of gas through the boat without having to think about the cost. I'm afraid that the stress of being out on medical leave for over a year, with an uncertain employment future, and horrible luck the last five years with the airlines is catching up to me. In fact, I can't remember the last time I fired the engines up to go out without first weighing the cost benefit. I've lost the ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel and am wallowing, lost. That is sad......

So, I will take the next sunny day we have (surely it will be sunny again someday) and wash my boat, and take in it's shine and try to focus on the delight and pride of ownership it brings, if only for a moment.

The day my boat was delivered, my first trip was to the fuel dock for 151 gallons costing $540. That was more than I spent on gas for the entire time I owned my two previous boats. However, running at cocktail speed rather than planing speed reduces my hourly consumption to 5-6 gallons per hour vs. 25-26 gph. That's $40 to $50 for 2 hours of relaxing cruising rather than $200-$220. At this rate my next trip to the fuel dock won't be until July.:grin:

 

[Dasch Boat]

Our enjoyment comes from being away from the dock, not necessarily under power but on the hook in some cove or rafted up with some friends. We are not in a marina (docked in our back yard) so we rarely sit out on the boat at the dock.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

Who couldn't relate to your feelings, however what I have found is that most things "boating" are personal preference; so, you can be happy no matter what choice you make, because it is your choice to make. Enjoy at the dock, or under power...whatever you like as long as you are doing what you like!!!

We enjoy all of it; but, at this point, since we have only been on the water 3 years, we get a lot of pleasure from getting to a new place and discovering all it has to offer!!!

 

[skolbe]

With all of the boat maintenance items - flushing generator hoses, new impellers, new lights, new batteries, holding tank filter modification, some new lights and general cleaning - I am usually fairly tired. When you are tired it is not a good idea to take out the boat if the conditions are bad - you are more likely to make a mistake. My goal is to get everything nice before the weather gets nice.

 

[skibum]

That situation is so relaxing because it is the one time that you can enjoy 100% stress free time on the boat. There is no chance of an accident, CG boarding, mechanical issue, or being responsible for the safety of the vessel and crew. The boat is clean and spiffy, and at least for the moment, it isn't getting dirty. There is no wear and tear happening on the boat with the exception of the refrigerator door, the head, and the AC. Folks are walking around enjoying the day, and probably stopping to compliment you on your nice, clean boat. I love those days too!

Sometimes, ya'll have a way of making me appreciate having a smaller, single engine boat. My marina is in an excellent location. I can get to several nice destinations and back on 10 gallons or less. When the admiral's kids are with us, boating gets real cheap. All they want to do is swin, and they really don't care where. I motor out to HMI, anchor for the day and they swim until they pass out. Whole day on the boat, 4 gallons of fuel burned. Last summer, I took us to Fell's Point and BIH at 3 gph speed (about 5-6 kts). Nice trip. Took almost an hour and 45 minutes to get there. I let each of the kids "drive" for a while (of course, I was standing right there making corrections every 20-30 seconds). That made their whole summer. Came back partially on plane, but the whole trip was still only took about 15 gallons.

 

[tobnpr]

To each their own.
For me, it's about the turbo whine under my feet, the smell of the salt air, watching the ocean for sealife, and the solitude of seeing nothing but the horizon in any direction.

Hanging out at the dock socializing is fun, but not "boating" for me.

My boat is meant to be used- fish blood and guts and all...
Sure, cleanup sucks- but if you don't want to use your boat because it's going to get dirty, well...you should find another hobby.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I love my boat, but I think that I am way more relaxed and happy when I am tied off in the slip with my shore power hooked up and A/C blasting, radio going, kids laying down watching a movie, boat gleaming from a fresh wash, and a cold beverage in my hand. Does anyone else feel like this or am I a horrible boater??

Horrible boater? Naw, you take care of your boat and you enjoy it - that goes a long way.

But still, I think your approach often leads to being a "former boater, current cottage owner".

We lose a lot of people to cottages. Maybe we should design some sort of intervention....

"Start your engines and leave the dock, or we'll cover your foredeck seagull food!" :grin:

 

[temptress]

I am glad to see that there other s out there who share my feelings on the topic.

We are in a great Marina on Galveston Bay called South Shore Harbour. It has wide floating piers and they allow tennants to build out their slips with decks and add outdoor kitchens and coverings. We have made some great friends and have a great little pier "living room" right next to our slip. I think it all comes down to not having to worry about fuel, wind, waverunners who like to see how close they can get to my swim platform, batteries holding a charge while we picnic in a cove, "how deep it here?" "is that a wake jerking the boat or is my engine missfiring?"

Its funny.

Once we are tied off we are all expert boatsmen. Always ready to offer a hand to our piermates as they attempt to back in to their slip fighting a 25 knot afternoon gulf breeze in their face! Dock dings are no biggie when you can hand someone ELSE your can of rubbing compound and a cold one! : )

 

[jeremyandalison]

When we bought our first powerboat last year (a 260DA), the intent was to have a boat that we could get to after work on Friday and be out doing something fun, disconnected from work and all the stresses of life in very short order.

What was at least a little bit surprising is that in a short summer, with less than ideal weather, we had so many unforgettable moments in virtually every condition - trucking along on a plane, just the two of us on a warm night before sunset; bubbling along having a glass of wine with friends on board; grabbing a mooring ball of an island in the pouring rain; hanging out at the marina with some of our dockmates and then wander into town for a bite to eat. When we were selling our boat, Alison even demanded that we meticulously clean the whole thing on about the hottest day of the year - lots of work, but we had a great time listening to music and drinking beer as we worked, then rewarding ourselves with a short trip and a swim at the end of the weekend.

I guess the lesson I learned is that happiness is where you find it and it requires you to just find some enjoyment in every part of the boating experience.

 

[jpk33]

Sitting on the dock relaxing is part of the lifestyle. I enjoy it (almost) as much as going out for a cruise or dropping the hook at the beach. It can be more cost effective than running the throttles to the firewall (except for the increased alcohol surcharge), but being on fickle Lake Michigan - we are usually at the mercy of mother nature - on when its best to get out (not fun sitting on the hook in six footers!). I really think the dockstyle (living onboard all season) is what makes boating so enjoyable.

 

[HUMPH]

No, I can relate.

Although I was just remarking to a friend of mine, or more lamenting, how nice it would be to just run a tank of gas through the boat without having to think about the cost. I'm afraid that the stress of being out on medical leave for over a year, with an uncertain employment future, and horrible luck the last five years with the airlines is catching up to me. In fact, I can't remember the last time I fired the engines up to go out without first weighing the cost benefit. I've lost the ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel and am wallowing, lost. That is sad......

So, I will take the next sunny day we have (surely it will be sunny again someday) and wash my boat, and take in it's shine and try to focus on the delight and pride of ownership it brings, if only for a moment.

OK, who has the first shift for the suicide watch? Scott your luck will turn around soon my man!

I agree with those that say chugging along at a slow pace is just as good as cruising speed. We are alreay looking to move to another marina that is farther into the delta so we are closer to the boating we want to do. This way we can kick around at 7 or 8 MPH and have music that you can hear, no spray curling in from the stern and just chill with a brew, glass of wine or whatever. Anchor at a calm location on one of the rivers and spend the day. As a matter of fact i should be there instead of working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pietro]

To each their own.
For me, it's about the turbo whine under my feet, the smell of the salt air, watching the ocean for sealife, and the solitude of seeing nothing but the horizon in any direction.

Hanging out at the dock socializing is fun, but not "boating" for me.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: That's it Mike!!!! Spending some time at the marina can be fun but sailing away from it all is what I love... and some crazy winter projects :grin:

 

[Alegria]

That situation is so relaxing because it is the one time that you can enjoy 100% stress free time on the boat.

Totally agree you summed up my thoughts as well. That's why I enjoy it so much. Even more so when it's at a transient marina that we have never been to before with a day of exploring ahead!!!

 

[rcknecht]

As a person with mild OCD, I feel very happy when everything is fixed, clean and put away. I can relate to your feelings. The boat is a challenge to keep maintained, fueled, safe and clean. Part of the enjoyment is the effort you make to keep it just right. For me, lately the boat has been wining, and I am hoping for victory over my generator soon (hope to get it running). Lots to do to prepare for the summer... I sometimes question my sanity, when I think of the time I put into keep my boat up to CSR standards (the expections of my fellow CSR members)...

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

I suppose I am at ease when tied to the dock.....as long as it is not MY dock. As a newer boater of three years I am always ready to take her out for a spin. There is some anxiety involved, especially on long trips, but a lot of excitement too. I have convinced myself that if I boat long enough, things do and will happen. I just prepare for the worst, hope for the best and enjoy the time on the water. I mean....how fortunate am I to be able to own a nice boat and spend time with friends and family on it? Very, I say.:thumbsup:

 

[Air O'Nautical]

I love to see my boat all cleaned up but,...
Use it as it was intended.. "dont save it for the next guy"..use it and enjoy the LIFE.

 

[Stray Cat]

My wife says I have this stupid grin on my face when the mags are spooled up. So I guess I like to be polished up and movin more than looking pretty at the dock. Maybe for some it depends on what you have to go through to get from one point to another....radar, chart plotters, congested traffic, sailboats, crab pots, and so on.