Boating: Rediscovering the boating passion
“It’s not hard to lose your way in these tough times, brother,” said the Reverend at our last meeting of the “Dead End Canal Yacht Club.” He was eulogizing two of our recently fallen members. The Rev was reflecting on the effect affliction of losing ones direction during a lifetime of boating.
Only a few hardened cynics left their seats for the beer tap because the Reverend was touching a hollow spot, way down deep in our souls. No one shouted hallelujah because we aren’t that type. but I for one felt very moved.
“There is healing power in the motion of the waves, the warmth of the sun and the wind in your face. Our dear departed brethren knew this and lived their lives to the fullest. They never disappointed a grandchild because they wanted to play that evil game, golf! They never lost track of the importance of family and a boater’s obligation to that family!”
After the brief ceremony, we all filed passed two small memorials set up on a corner table. A cornucopia of pictures of the two deceased members overflowed on the table. In some, they were young men, and others they were as old as we remembered. One photo was taken less than a year before. Two ancient mariners holding up a fish that one of them caught.
We were all quietly paying our respects when the Reverend’s voice boomed across the room. “Will you be so fondly remembered by your fellow boaters and your family?”
Boston Bob began to quietly weep. Commodore Jim, the clubs most enthusiastic boater, tried to comfort him. “BB, you have nothing to feel bad about. You’ve sacrificed more for your family than many of your fellow members. I personally believe you went to far when you sold your boat to….” The Commodore pulled in his oars just in time because even though we all felt the same, this wasn’t the time to beat that drum.
“We’ve all disappointed someone, but that is part of being an adult,” said Run-aground Ralph. “My father always promised us one more sail around the sound before school started or on a Indian summer weekend, but he was always busy. And then I was the father and I promised myself that I would never…..”
“You’ve done your share and more,” said ‘Cap’ Crunch. “Your grand kids were always on your boat.”
“I lost my way. I went RV-ing and my grand kids despised that bus,” Run-aground Ralph confessed. “But I’m back and I mean to be remembered as well as any of our members.”
“I think we need a revival for all you fallen away boaters,” said Commodore Jim. “There is way too much mold on too many boats in the canal. You’ve forgotten the redemptive power of messing around in boats. Stop worrying about your 401 K and the mess the world is in and get out there on the water!”
“We should forget about the bikinis and trying to impress our fellow members and stick to family and friends,” said ‘ Harry the Hat’ as he adjusted his hat to hide the baldness. We all looked at each other and realized that another of Harry’s bikini girls had slipped his grasp.
“I don’t even like to go to happy hour by boat or car anymore that I don’t drink since my doctor told me to stop,” said Capt’ Bill.
“We’ve got more dedicated drivers than drinkers but that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying our time on the water,” said ‘Hillbilly Harold’.
“You’ve forgotten your passion for the bright sparkling water and the warmth of the sun,” said Commodore Jim. “Not me, I’m going to be boating for the rest of my life. Then, I’m going to be sent off to Valhalla, Viking style. Just burn the boat around me and my dog, and we’ll be revived in the hall of slain heroes!” Don’t worry. He doesn’t have a dog!
“You’ve got way to much book learnin’,” ‘Hillbilly Harold’ said to Commodore Jim and we all laughed. The wake had turned from morose to a little mirthful. Through the end of the night we spent a very pleasant time telling stories about our fathers and our first boating adventures. Then we planned long boat trips all the way to Cabbage Key or Gasparilla Island or the Dry Tortugas National Park’s Fort Jefferson. They were places we’d already been but wanted to return. We’ll see!
Boatguy Ed is a retired bottom paint maker and is currently a volunteer extra on his son’s Boater’s Treasures television show, www.boaterstreasures.com. Send your comments to boatguiEd@aol.com, I dare you!