Putting my ol' friend on the block after all these years...

This isn't an ad to sell the boat, heck, I think she'll find a new owner soon. But I wonder if any of you other old geezers like me have reached a point where you realize it's time to sell the boat 'cause you just don't enjoy it like you did when you were younger and in better shape.

I'm not all that old at 62, but I've sure had my share of heart problems and I take too many meds that take the edge off. I had bypass surgery 10 years ago, then five stents put in a year ago. I've lost a noticable amount of strength and endurance. And I'm really getting lame in the hips. My 89 year old neighbor runs rings around me! Life isn't fair.

Did any of you oldsters ever sell out? Did you have regrets? Didja realize that it was the right move after all was said and done? Maybe you bought a smaller boat when you discovered you still needed to fish or cruise? I'm not sure what I'm going to do after she's sold, but I do have a motor home that I still enjoy.

More info on the boat and the sale on my homesite, www.fishwisher.com

Advise and experiences welcome.

Dale

Tom G.

Something tells me you would be ready to debate the old saw that goes: "The two happiest days of a boater's life are the day he buys his boat and the day he sells his boat." May be true for some folks who should never have had a boat in the first place, but I know of a lot of cases where letting go due to age or medical condition has been pretty heart wrenching.

Maybe a small car-topper with a trolling motor, or something similar, would keep you close to the water after the big boat finds a new home.

You're only limitation is yourself and what you think you "can't" do.

Without getting into a lot of detail, I've had my share of problems since I was 48 (I'm 60 now) including torn rotator cuffs, hip problems, knee problems (all related to my rheumatoid arthritis), etc., etc., etc and I just refuse to let it stop me from doing what I want to do. A little pain, a little huffing and puffing sometimes - hey, it's part of life. Just adjust and make it fun.

If this is genuine indifference about catching sturgeon and salmon, then that's one thing. If it's because you think you "can't", then I'm here to tell you that's bull - you can if you really want to.

And I'll guarantee you, you will be looking at a new boat as soon as this one is gone.

That's a solid gold guarantee. :>)

Second, Good for you!

My father-in-law was an avid boater for longer than I can remember. As he and his boat aged, (1972 Uniflite) everyone in the family became more concerned every time he ventured out to go lobstering or flounder fishing. He did this solo, every day during the summer unless there was a major nor'easter blowing and even then he had to think about it. The boat wasn't in the best of shape and neither was he, but it didn't matter to him.

At 72 years old he had a heart attack. He recovered and went back to boating, hauling lobster traps as usual, but we all noticed that he tired easy. The mere mention that perhaps he should take it a little easy fell on deaf ears. We got together and chipped in to buy him an electric winch to haul the traps up. He would have nothing to do with it. This went on for a few more years and I figured he would pass on while doing his favorite thing ..... fishing and lobstering off the Scituate, MA coast.

Then, out of the blue, in the middle of the boating season he hauled the boat and put it up for sale. He announced to us that his boating days were over .... just like that. He just about gave the boat away.

He confided in me that he knew when the day would come .... and it had. He wanted to be around for a while longer to enjoy his other hobbies, family and particularly to keep counting the great and great-great grandkids ... which he now does, gardening, woodworking and generally goofing around. He'll be 82 or 83 next February and is still enjoying life to it's fullest, but at a slightly slower pace.

Eisboch

I have a 79 year old friend and is only just now getting out of boating.....selling his 28 foot Marinette, single screw

I agree with Tom..you will be looking for another boat within the next few years! Why not look for something smaller?

Like you I'm planning to get a smaller boat, maybe about a 17'er that I can keep easily on a trailer. It'll work on nice days in the Chesapeake Bay or on most days in lakes. Hope you stay well and enjoy whatever pursuit you take a fancy to. Think about golf. Good exercise, if you don't use a cart! --

***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****

John

To FishWisher... I spent my growing up years fishing for cats out of a rented boat, with a cover for Mom, out of Boyd's marina. (mid `50s) Dad had a Wizard five horsepower outboard he would join to the boat. I later moved to a place on Sandmound Slough in the `70s. Never caught that elusive sturgeon, though I tried. Usta go fishin all night on Suisun Bay with a couple of guys on their "Bartender". They caught record Sturgeon, but alas, with out me aboard. Aloha, Dave

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