Thanks Paul. That was (and is) the #1 motivation for our purchase. There are very few things that will keep kids hanging out with their parents through the teen years - a boat is one of them.

The thing that keeps kids engaged with their parents though the teens years (just got a call from the 19 year-old who called to tell me he got Jump School this summer; He is on cloud nine, I'd prefer he not jump off it :cool:) isn't the boat, or the car: It is them knowing their parents set the tone, made the effort.

You have mastered that with your wife.

It is so funny what resonates in the long run: I sent my Dad a picture of the SL 560 I just bought, kidding him about where the car gene came from. He writes back: "I want first refusal!"

We have sailed with our kids for the last 12 years. They have learned how to kit out a boat for the weekend and 12-14 day trips....food, water, paper products. They can talk to the Coast Guard on the radio, navigate with sea charts, use a sextant, identify many, many marine animals, identify stars and constellations, and read tide and current charts. It's an education in itself with your kids. If anybody tells you that a boat is just a hole in the water where you throw your money is a boat owner, not a boater. Have a blast and enjoy the education that your family gets without knowing it.

Must be the wife, I'm not nearly that smart.:cool:

Sweet! I live on a lake! Hint! Hint! :)

Matt, I just picked a new boat as well:SmileWavy

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401731276.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401731293.jpg


2005 Chaparral SSI 204 with Mercruiser 350 MPI!

I just picked her up on Saturday in Salmon Arm, BC and took her out for an afternoon on Shuswap Lake in BC.

We had a smaller 18 ft Campion with a Volvo 4.3L that was just getting too tight for space. Also my son and his cousins have been harassing me about installing a tower on our older boat. I just couldn't make sense of spending all that $ on a small, somewhat underpowered boat but I sure as heck wasn't going to spend $$$ on a new surf boat. My thought was that if I could find a good used 21ft with more power and all the attachments I'd go for a trade...well sure enough this is the one....300Hp with only 280 hrs, in great condition! And it didn't cost me a whole $$$ to upgrade....should be a great summer!:D

Cheers and happy boating to all!

Alex

Good looking boat Alex! Enjoy!

Shuswap lake looks amazing too. Do you live nearby? And do you know 911Rob? He has a place on Shuswap.

We live in Calgary which means a 6 hour drive to our place on Shuswap lake....but well worth it!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401736543.jpg

Beautiful BIG lake for sure!

I don't know 911Rob but I do see his "BIG ROB" realtor signs all over the Shuswap lake region. I believe he has or had an arena red 993 Turbo...I've kept my eyes open real wide hoping to see it in the area but have not come across it yet!:cool:

Nice Chap! They are top notch boats are were definitely one of my favorite choices.

Nice boat enjoy. Make sure your water pump impeller is working correctly!

Rob sold his 911 but still drops in here for the occasional visit.

Nice boat! The whole world looks different from the water.

Beautiful!

The Chaparral or the lake, Markus?SmileWavy
If you're ever out here in BC or Alberta....do come on by dude!:D

No doubt. I stepped out of p-car ownership to fund a boat and my family has really enjoyed using it. I can get another p-car one day but the family memories with the kids are a one shot deal.

Break Out Another Thousand is right on though. Funny that's what the coast guard auxiliary guy told us it stood for the first time we splashed it at the local ramp. He wasn't kidding.

Honestly I found our first boat to be dirt cheap to operate. But I also DIY everything. From my limited exposure, it's hard to find bigger crooks than boat mechanics.