Hey Pipe...

[reelapeelin]

You said you operated for years before buying it ...when did it hit you that you were gonna own/restore her...was it a gradual realization or did lightning strike from a water spout... :)

[Pipe_Dream]

Sorry I just saw your post -- was out of town for a few days. I had no V-20 experience before I operated this boat at work, but the more I ran her the more I came to appreciate the hull design. As far as ownership, the company no longer needed her and my boss made me an offer I couldn't refuse. The boat was VERY rough but useable, so I took her. I knew the day would come when I would have to make a re-power decision, but some local mechanics helped to keep that day at bay. They called my old Evinrude the "miracle motor." It just kept going. My wife and I discussed our options over the past couple of years, and she was for re-powering all along (as opposed to buying another boat), even though the boat was a beater. I, on the other hand, explored my options, but I didn't find anything else that I liked any better, so I got quotes for the refit, picked my favorite based on price and seeing his previous work, and dove in.
One thing that helped me make the decision to keep & refit her is that my wife and I had our first date onboard her -- it was a blind date, a mutual friend set us up -- and the majority of our dating days were spent onboard! The Pipe Dream is a part of our family, and hopefully will be for a long time to come.
(sorry to go so long on this post, but it's a favorite topic of mine so thanks for asking!)

[reelapeelin]

Had a feelin' there was a pretty good story there...great to have spousal support... ;D

I know a guy who had choice of buying new furniture or new Grady 19'...got the boat, named it Cindy's Furniture....they've been divorced for many years now... ::)

[Pipe_Dream]

My wife is the best. 10 happy years last October. She is driving a 14 year old Honda -- she said hey, if it's between having the boat re-powered and fixed up versus a new car, she voted for the boat. ;D

BTW, the only reason she agreed to a blind date is that my friend told her I had a boat!

[reelapeelin]

You got a lucky star shinin' over your head somewhere... ;)

[Pipe_Dream]

No doubt!

[AirborneJarhead]

This has the makin's of a great thread. My wife was gracious enough to let me spend all the combat pay she saved while I was in the sandbox on a used Wellcraft V-20. I had to defer to her on the name of the boat, however. I wanted "Spoil of War" but had to settle with what it came with "Logan's Run". She heard it was bad luck renaming a boat. I tried to show her the different "ceremonies" that would stave off Neptune's rage but no joy.
We've had some great times on the boat and I'll never forget the look on her face the first time we rode through the inlet! ;D

[reelapeelin]

Yeah, my wife is great too...she grew up w/ big brother and her dad huntin' and fishin' and boatin'...her grandfather opened Carrabelle Marina which was a Grady dealer...so for a boat to be around is normal for her...she likes to go out and catch some rays in summer...she's even helped work on it ...

We did lots of courtin' on the lakes around here...Lake Jocasse in those days was deserted on weekdays...yeah, buddy... ;D