by Kate |July 19th, 2009
As I walk towards my boat I see them. There they are again, sitting on the back of his pristine and meticulous boat. They are enjoying a cocktail, relaxing, smiling.. always smiling. He is my dock neighbor and owns a new Wellcraft named Finn- Lander.
As always, we exchange pleasantries as I try to unzip the canvas -which is broken- to get in my own boat. I notice the teak needs another coat of oil and the deck should be scrubbed. I glance back as they sit
sunning and laughing before I go to work on the water tank and grumble about trim tabs needing oil.
I pump about a foot of water out of the bilge because the drain was clogged. I am sweating like Niagra Falls and there they are……bone dry, on their second cocktail. I mop up the deck with all my clean towels and throw them on the dock. I finish cleaning up and on my way out notice the towels. He gets out of his pristine, meticulous boat and offers me a trash bag to carry them home in. At that moment I wish my boat would fit in that bag... just double bag the whole thing and throw it away. Toss it in the trash and that would be the end of it!
But then I take a look back and admit I still prefer the lines and hull of my old Hatteras. One good day on the water replaces all the labor pains. That wide and sturdy hull feels like nothing else, cutting through anything the sea has to offer. I belong to a vintage Hatteras Owners Forum… these guys are boat snobs. I guess I have a bit of that in me too. I just don’t think they make them like they used to…despite the little irritations.
Go to Forums and Comments and post your thoughts on New Vs. Old…….Thanks for checking in and as always, keep coming back for the best boat buzz.
