My father was a fisherman and thus began his tragic love affair with boats. His first boat was a twelve-foot aluminum purchased at Sears. It had two bench seats, and my Dad customized that with extra benches around the inner rim, his theory being that he could rest equipment and make his fishing more effective. My brothers and I watched with great anticipation as the boat took shape. I imagined grand afternoons on the water, touring, blasting through waves, and generally having fun. I was young and naive, and had no idea that, where my father was concerned, boats, water, and fun just didn’t mix.
This will be an ongoing series, that will continue with those first forays onto the water, the inevitable upgrade of boats, and the few bright moments that somehow slipped into his dealing with water craft.