April 23rd, 2018

Ahoy Matey and Welcome Aboard!

​Yes, this past weekend was the Sarasota Boat Show and you betcha, we were there.  And in fact, Joy and Bob, who are in the midst of that last bout of unpacking and settling in their new home and also at the same time, packing and getting ready to head to Yellowstone, very kindly stepped away from their myriad chores to join us! Super fun!

​We clambered, climbed, tripped and fell onto many a boat, burning our feet a little bit frankly (since guests are always required to remove their shoes) on the hot decking. And other than the fact that they all float, really there were few other similarities.  Truly amazing how many different ways they can design a boat!

​Single hull, double hull, center console, inboard, outboard, fly bridge, bow, stern, starboard and port.  That is the entirely of my familiarity with boat-language. No wait, Galley and, the most important one to me, Head.  I refuse to even consider the possibility of a boat that has no bathroom.  Even at the boat show. Even when we are just looking and not buying.  My policy is, if you are going to dream, dream big ;)

​We all had a good time, but Tim was happyhappy.  He loves boats.  I reallllly like them. He loves them. There is a difference.  If we had a boat, I think Tim would be very happy living on it.  I would enjoy spending a weekend, or maybe a week, maybe even two but then I would want to go back home to my real house. On land.   Clearly we would have to come to some sort of compromise there.

While Joy and I were prowling through the boat peeking into cabinets and admiring how terribly cleverly the nooks and crannies were utilized, Tim was talking to the people in charge about power and navigation and depths and I don't even know what. But it all sounded terribly impressive.

​Joy claimed the bow for her own.  She announced that if and when we get a boat, she will be seated with her camera in the bow the entire time taking photos,  Bearing that in mind, it must be a boat with a comfy enough bow space for her to do that very thing.  Okay, it is also on the list now.   Bob announced that his favourite kind of boat was one that someone else is piloting.   Done!  No worries, Tim likes to drive. We are easy to please.  

​The sun was playing peek-a-boo so it wasn't too hot, the humidity wasn't bad yet, we went early enough in the day that while there were plenty of people there, it wasn't too horribly crowded and there was a lovely breeze.  The company was good, the weather was cooperative, and once too many people were on site, we went to lunch and had a very nice meal and a few laughs.  All in all, a very nice way to spend a Sunday!

​Hope your Weekend was a good one too, even if you didn't get to attend the boat show.  Oh well, maybe next year.