Random pics of Yachts in Key West

Of course I was being sarcastic. I live in California....we love everybody. Actually I have no desire for any boat that needs a crew. Where's the fun in that? But I love looking at other, larger, newer boats all the time because I get ideas that I might use on Makai.

There are people that own boats and there are "Boaters". I'm a Boater and proud of it. I don't need to be out cruising I just need to be on or around boats and the water. Some of my best boating days are when I go down to the boat alone and just tinker. I know there are other "boaters" out there from the posts. You know who you are. Say it proud....

My name is Shawn and I'm a Boater!
Shawn, we had a meeting at MWYC yesterday so missed you again. I will make a point to swing by Oxbow one weekend in the near future!
 
The big yacht in the picture is always down there price wise to stay there is not as expensive as one might think. A friend of mine takes his 72 foot Viking there and it was not that much to dock there from what I observed. Also love Schooner Warf
 
There are people that own boats and there are "Boaters". I'm a Boater and proud of it. I don't need to be out cruising I just need to be on or around boats and the water. Some of my best boating days are when I go down to the boat alone and just tinker. I know there are other "boaters" out there from the posts. You know who you are. Say it proud....

AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!

Jitts, nice to hear from you again!
 
My father was a truck driver. Growing up I wanted to be just like him. I have many memories of him saying similar things to me. In time it was too late for him to realize those kinds of dreams for himself but his greater dream was that his kids get an education and a profession. We thought we were the luckiest kids in the world when he bought a 16 foot wooden boat with a 40hp Evinrude. When I was a junior in high school and told my guidance conselor I wanted to be a truck driver my father told her, no, he's going to college. aif he wants to drive a truck after he gets his degree that's his prerogative, but he's going to college. I had no desire to go, but he insisted. Probably the best parental intervention of my life. Two Engineering degrees, an MBA and a pretty successful career later I wish he were still here so that I could take him for a ride on my boat. I wish more people gave their kids the message that you have. We'd have a better country for it.

Maybe where he is from you need a 100 foot boat to be rich. In my circles anything that can't be trailered without permits qualifys. Hell even some that can.
But as I always say, Hate the game, not the playa. Also jealousy gets you nowhere.

Ill tell you this story. Sorry, but a long one.

In the end of 2009, when I moved to Wisconsin and my boat project on the 73 was put on hold. October ish my little sister talked to me about going together someplace on Vacation together. Her family and mine. This was after I sent the ex girlfriend packing and before Charlene came onboard. My sister talked about going to Hilton Head SC. She was going to get a condo thru some timeshare she had. I opted to go along with my 30 foot travel trailer and my old 75 Ford truck. The only place she could find available was Ft. Lauderdale in July. I was at first worried that such a trip was impossible. Then I ran the numbers. Mileage, known gas consumption of my truck. And low and behold, why is it impossible? I can afford that. And I have 6 months to plan. I was just so used to telling myself NO it just came naturally. So end of June came and I departed my shop in Wisconsin for New Jersey with the old Ford and got my sons and camper that was still at Mom's and started rolling down I-95.
We got there and stayed at a campground/marina right on Marina Mile. The canal was just behind our camper. At night we would walk and admire the boats. Some huge yachts. Two very memorable moments were to happen there. I was walking with my then 6 year old son Mathew. He was telling me how he liked the boats and wanted to buy me a big one when he gets big. I told him to buy one for himself and I'll let him take me for a ride. But this was the.longest conversation we had where he wasn't completly coming at me like a child. He was older and smarter. You dad's know what I mean. The other was with my oldest Sean, then 12. He asked.me.why I torture myself looking at boats I can never afford to buy. I told him "Don't ever sell the old man short. And for that matter never sell yourself short. Do you know why I don't have a boat like that? Because I haven't earned it yet. They said I couldn't ever take you camping in Florida. They said my old truck was too old to make it. I couldn't afford the gasioline. And where are we? Standing on a dock in Ft Lauderdale like everybody said I couldn't. So if you want a.boat like that, do good in school, get educated. Get out there and get that money. Then get your boat. Or Yacht. I'm still young 34. I still have time to make it there. We make our own future and our own luck. Karma is too slow. You can do.anything. you limit yourself, or go all out. Its your choice."
It stuck. Now he wants an exotic car and a yacht. And I think he can get there too.
And now a few years later they went to The Keys. A truck driver did that, with old equipment. And we had a blast. They see what I mean. And that is what those pictures mean for me.
 
My father was a truck driver....... Two Engineering degrees, an MBA and a pretty successful career later I wish he were still here so that I could take him for a ride on my boat. I wish more people gave their kids the message that you have. We'd have a better country for it.

Nice story Brian.... Clearly your father wanted a better life for you.
 
AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!

Jitts, nice to hear from you again!

Thanks. Had a couple of kicks in the teeth but still out and about doing what I do best.
Now I still do come out to New Jersey so one of these days hope to get to one of your get together out there.
 
Thank you.
Oh, and that old 75 Ford. Still running her. In fact just spent a few hours plowing some heavy and deep snow drifts off of the shops driveway.


My father was a truck driver. Growing up I wanted to be just like him. I have many memories of him saying similar things to me. In time it was too late for him to realize those kinds of dreams for himself but his greater dream was that his kids get an education and a profession. We thought we were the luckiest kids in the world when he bought a 16 foot wooden boat with a 40hp Evinrude. When I was a junior in high school and told my guidance conselor I wanted to be a truck driver my father told her, no, he's going to college. aif he wants to drive a truck after he gets his degree that's his prerogative, but he's going to college. I had no desire to go, but he insisted. Probably the best parental intervention of my life. Two Engineering degrees, an MBA and a pretty successful career later I wish he were still here so that I could take him for a ride on my boat. I wish more people gave their kids the message that you have. We'd have a better country for it.
 
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