Happy Anniversary - Gone Fishing

We bought ourselves an early anniversary present, a used fishing boat. (Next week is our anniversary of 33 years).  Perhaps you recall the pitiful boat we bought in Florida which we fixed up and never used because we sold our home there. That was five years ago. This recent boat was a long time coming since we've wanted to explore the lakes ever since we moved here. We would have rented a boat but the cost is exorbitant.

 

Hopefully we'll actually get to use this boat real soon. We plan to get a bimini top so we won't bake in the sun while we're on the lake. Gary is checking out all the systems and making sure we have all the safety equipment required by the fish and game and/or coast guard. Such as life jackets that fit, a horn, a whistle, a fire extinguisher, a life preserver to throw to someone who might fall overboard, and I am sure there are others.

The price was right and the boat, trailer and motor are in excellent condition. Steering is stick steer which some folks find daunting but since Gary has driven backhoes and bulldozers and the like he can drive just about anything with a stick. There is a fish finder and two anchors which roll up on a pulley like contraption. Not sure of all the terminology, something I'll have to learn, i.e. starboard and port, forward and aft, etc.

The boat, a 2000 weldbilt model, is 16 feet long and 60 inches wide. It came with the trailer, a 25 hp Johnson motor, a trolling motor and many accessories. We really wanted a fish and ski boat but our driveway has limited parking. Since the boat is only 16 feet long it will fit in our driveway better than a longer boat, especially since the trailer adds to the length.

With a two stroke motor rather than an inboard/outboard the water will easily self drain out for winterization. Also the oil is mixed with the fuel so no oil to change.

This is a photo of a similar boat on the water at sunset or sunrise (who can tell) but we hope we're out on the water real soon. Since it's a holiday weekend the lakes will be overly crowded anyway. We have one lake less the five miles from us and several others ten to fifteen miles away. Lots of places to explore. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.