What got you into boating?

[PARADOX]

In short.. my Dad, early 60's.
The boating we did on the Danube River is not the same boating we are familiar with now and in the US. Then it was to camp out on the shore, just about anywhere you wanted. No such things as "no traspassing" signs.
We went up and down.. all over.. beached the boat.. cooked on open fire and had a great boating weekend, and as a little kid, I played in the water or on the shore. Good times.
We grown up a bit,,, just a little.
So what got you into the boating?
When I came to the US, one of the first movies I saw was 007. "Live and let die". Great boat chase seen with small speed boats. I wanted one, and my life forever changed. Putting hard earned $'s into anything that floats. 1972. firts 16' Hustler. :driving:
In 1969, I saw a twin powered boat in Zagreb. Near the Itallian boarder on the Med. An unlikely dream. 30+ years later my first twin. I'm living my dream, (several twins later, still at it)
What's your story? We all got one or two.

 

[DAREDEVIL]

THE TV SHOW - MIAMI VICE and my uncle and a friend of mine . In germany !!!!!!!!


NOW I AM HOOKED AND CAN'T LET GO, they do not make a anti boating patch yet. LOL :USA:

 

[Big Time]

My dad as well. He was a racer back in the early eighties and has had several performance boats of all sizes throughout the years. Its in the blood for sure. My mechanic used to joke that it's too bad my dad wasn't a world champion knitter because then I would have a lot more money in my pocket! True, but it wouldn't be as much fun!

 

[Dunbar 104]

The scent of fresh fiberglass

 

[Seafordguy]

My folks had done the non-popular thing in our area during the late 70's and moved pretty far off the beating path to some waterfront property on the Chesapeake Bay that people couldn't give away..... I was born and raised on the water and it was always just a way of life. Not sure what turned me onto offshore boats but it was the best decision I have ever made!!!

 

[imco offshore]

The scent of fresh fiberglass

it,s a good thing you didn,t live near a surf board shop,,,lolol:bump:

 

[HaxbySpeed]

I grew up on a small island and was always hanging around the docks. There was always some little boat with an outboard to rip around with. When I was 13 I had a summer job at the local fuel dock. A guy pulled up in a 18' Donzi with a 455 olds and V-drive. I asked if he would take me for a ride sometime and he said how bout now. I locked the door and went for the most exciting ride of my early life. I remember exactly how that boat looked, felt, and sounded. Going fast on the water has been a huge part of my life ever since..

 

[Dunbar 104]

it,s a good thing you didn,t live near a surf board shop,,,lolol:bump:

Why???? Surf boards don't have motors.

 

[2112]

Miami Vice, definitely.

Love of all the different Ford Engine opportunities with boating.

An issue of Hotboat, circa 1988 or so that had an Eliminator 234 Edge write up. Ultimately I started out with a Warlock 24' Euro.

.

 

[DAREDEVIL]

Miami Vice, definitely.

Love of all the different Ford Engine opportunities with boating.

An issue of Hotboat, circa 1988 or so that had an Eliminator 234 Edge write up. Ultimately I started out with a Warlock 24' Euro.

.

WOW,,,pic of that 24 EURO ???!!!!

 

[2112]

WOW,,,pic of that 24 EURO ???!!!!

I am not trying to hijack this thread, I promise.

.

 

[THEJOKER]

My dad in the late 60's...early 70's.

 

[DAREDEVIL]

I am not trying to hijack this thread, I promise.

.

NICE,,,,,,,,can really tell u like FORD !!! LOL :sifone:

 

[Expensive Date]

I came in late bought a Jet-Ski in 95 a Kaw 900zxi then about the same time Matco sponsored Martin Sanborn's race boat.I became Friends with Martin and was hooked.Also around the same time what was supposed to be the birth of my second child turned out to be my 2nd 3rd and 4th.So I got sidetracked for a while but I got there.Went right from the Jet -Ski to twin engines.Funny part is I have never driven a single engine boat.

 

[PARADOX]

turned out to be my 2nd 3rd and 4th.So I got sidetracked for a while but I got there..

You the man who absulfrakinglutely needs a boat with "TRIPS" .. :cheers2:

 

[Big Time]

Funny part is I have never driven a single engine boat.

The first boat that I operated by myself was an aluminum row boat with a 15 hp on it. Then during high school I worked at one of the local marina's during the summer and did my best not to break anything (wasn't too successful with that!). At 16 yrs old I was operating the fork lift moving boats from dry rack storage to the water. I even continued that summer job into college where the mechanics would fix the boats and hand me the keys and a radio and tell me to run the boat and report back how it was running. The marina I worked at was on a river with real bad currents and was very tight to navigate. Over time I became a master at docking (after listening to and picking up tips from the more seasoned employees). Once I was out of college I used my dad's 21 ft Checkmate to cruise around in and give thrill rides to my friends. A 21 Ft Checkmate in LI Sound can get interesting at 70 mph . Me and my brother actually took that thing out in a major storm one time in 3-4 footers and put the whole bow through a wave. We decided to take it easy after that! From there I purchased a 22 ft Scarab along with my brother and when we sold that bought my own 29 Fountain. Basically I've been around boats my entire life and don't see that ever changing.

 

[Geronimo36]

Was born into it and around it my whole life.

 

[Expensive Date]

Was born into it and around it my whole life.

Maybe Dee will post the baby picture.:bump:

 

[Scarab KV]

Vice for me too.
3rd and current boat is a Vice LTD

 

[Chris]

I grew up around boating but was never around anything more than you're typical fishing boat. I fished a few times on Lake Erie with my father and towards the latter 70's you'd see an Excalibur or Scarab out running. Maybe once a summer.

It was the spring of my senior year of high school. I had a dentist's appointment one afternoon. While sitting in the waiting room, leafing through an issue of Sports Illustrated, I came across a story about Betty Cook and offshore racing in general. I was so intrigued that I set out to find out all I could. I typically reduce the whole story to "...Betty Cook got me into the sport in the 70's".

Here's the article-