Bringing The Boat Home With A Bang
As my love for trolling the big water has grown, our boat needs have grown as well. I was a late convert to the idea of hitting the big water and trolling for big fish, but the desire to get out there has grown each season, despite a lack of cooperation from the weather. With a 12ft aluminum boat, the weather needs to be pretty decent in order to safely get out on the water. There have been more than a few times that we watched the marine forecast for Lake Ontario, checked webcams, decided it was worth making the drive, and then got to the water only to find that it would be crazy to launch our boat. It leads to a lot of disappointment and wasted fuel.
For three summers we have been talking about getting a bigger boat for the big water. Multi-species aluminum boats are a great option, being something that we could using for trolling, as well as other types of fishing. But they aren’t cheap. Hours of searching Kijiji lead us to the conclusion that we would be better off going for a bigger fiberglass boat, preferably with a cuddy. The older ones can be found for prices similar to what a small tinny with a motor and trailer would cost. Of course, the big boats need more work.
The constant search was a form of self-torture. With each trip to Lake Ontario that needed to be canceled due to an unfavorable forecast, I found myself spending more time on Kijiji. I put boats on my watchlist, and Darrell and I spent hours discussing what we could do with them, and what features we needed. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. With the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular quickly approaching, a feeling of urgency took over. I bit the bullet and contacted someone about a boat.
A three hour trip from home took us to a Sea Ray SRV 220. She hadn’t been in the water since last summer, a rotted armrest broke when I rested my elbow on it, and she was in need of a good cleaning. For the price, I wasn’t expecting her to be in great shape, and cosmetically, it was obvious that a lot of TLC was needed. Yet, the motor started right up and ran great, the cuddy was in liveable shape, and it came with a couple of Walker electric down riggers. The hull looked to be good shape and there was no doubt in my mind that this boat could handle rough water. She was exactly what we needed.
The cabin isn’t big, but it’s enough room for us. I’ve already napped in it several times.
Old as heck dashboard.
Oh, how I already love her.
Feelings of disbelief and giddiness washed through me as Darrell started the truck and rolled out of the driveway with our new baby. After years of pulling a small boat, we could both feel that the truck was working harder with this 22ft behemoth. Plans for the future – trips to take and upgrades to make – were bandied about as we got back on the highway. Almost 25 minutes into the trip I happened to be looking in the side mirror and saw something black fly off of the trailer. I hoped it was just loose carpet from the bunk. A few minutes later Darrell pulled into the left lane to let a truck merge…and suddenly we were thrust into chaos.
A tire on the trailer blew out, causing Darrell to have to speed up, get in front of the truck, and pull over on the shoulder. Thank goodness for his calm reaction. It would have been a different story if I had been driving. We got out to survey the damage, and at that point realized that not only had that tire blown to smithereens, but the thing I saw flying off the trailer earlier was actually the tread of another tire. We were over two hours from home, needed two new tires, didn’t have the right size tire iron, and since the jack on the trailer was seized, we didn’t have a jack available to get the tires off.
I’ll save everyone the long and boring details, but it ended up being a very long day that required an incredible amount of driving and cursing. But it ended successfully, with the new boat in our driveway.
Since having the time to do a closer inspection, we now have a rather huge list of things to repair. Some things need to be done before we take her out for the first trip, others can wait. Like a new baby, she requires constant attention from us.
Despite the initial frustrations, I can’t help but smile every time I look out the window and see the new boat. It’s hard to believe that she’s ours, and that we will soon have her out on the water, chasing those big silver fish. We can sleep in her easily, there’s a top to keep the sun and the rain off of us, and there’s a big open deck for fighting fish. The dogs will be able to come on fishing trips in this boat, and I’ll be able to take my sisters and their families out for a fun day. She doesn’t have a name yet, though we can’t help referring to her as the Hulk at times (she’s just so much bigger than anything we’ve owned before). The name will come after a few fishing trips.
I’m looking forward to getting this boat in the water and having some fun. There will be issues along the way, there always are, but that will be outweighed by the great times we will have. It will be an adventure!
argosgirl
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Oh, flat trailer tires. We had that a few times with our little boat and trailer. Having it happen with the big boat (once finished) will be a constant worry of mine. They are no fun, whatsoever. But she is lovely!
I will forever be worried about the tires now, even with the two new ones. At least we now have a spare and the necessary tools to fit the trailer. Yeah, I think she’s lovely too, but I am kind of partial to her 🙂 Thanks!
After three flats on that one horrible trailer, and the axle on the first trailer breaking, I’m totally paranoid about them now. I’m glued to the side mirror for most of any tow done at highway speed.
Add me to the paranoid club – I stare at the tires every time I walk by the boat!
Congratulations on your new baby!!!!!!
Thanks Julia! She’s so close to hitting the water now…it will be the start of another adventure 🙂