Life on Sunbury: It's Not About the Boat!

Poor Jake has been asking to go fishing in the boat for a while now. With much of our attention going toward the addition on the house lately, the "Snook Junky" (our 15' fiberglass boat) has been sitting idle in the backyard for over 8 weeks now.

Well, on Sunday we decided that we'd split up. Betsy would take the girls to plan for the baby's play quilt at Gramma's house, then to the fabric store to get the materials. Jake and I would be taking the "Junky" out for a short fishing trip, maybe an hour and a half, then home for a nap.

Of course, the day would not go as planned (at least for Jake and I). Such is the case when you ignore a boat for so long. They always seem to require extra special attention before they'll let you get on the water.

Anyhow, here is the timeline of events that transpired that day.

10:35 am Get sunblock on me and Jake and get dressed in fishing clothes.
10:45 am Pack cooler with drinks, snacks, and sandwiches.
10:50 am Hook the boat to the truck, load rods, tackle box, safety bag, etc.
10:55 am Test the motor to see if it cranks...uh-oh, no luck!
11:00 am Take off the motor cover, remove carbourator, clean jets.
11:30 am Realize fuel filters are clogged and gas has turned bad.

Meanwhile, an hour into our time together, Jake asks me if I am gonna fix the boat. Slightly annoyed, I say. "I hope so". Though he was exhibiting decent patience, his intermittent questions and propensity to pick up the tools and motor parts started to wear on me. At this point, my frustration meter is starting to register readings. But, I look at him and he looks at me and we just smile and laugh. I decide some new parts are in order.

11:45 am Off to West Marine to purchase new fuel tank, filters, and fuel additive.
11:55 am $72 later, we pulled into the gas station for fuel, paying cash inside.
12:02 pm Go back in to have them re-start the pump...Jake hit the pump lever.
12:30 pm Finish pumping gas, additive into the tank, realize the priming bulb is broken.
12:40 pm Back to West Marine to purchase a new priming bulb.
12:50 pm After another $20, I test the motor outside West Marine, no crank!!!
1:00 pm Fighting to remain calm...back home to regroup.

So, now two and a half hours into the adventure, Jake is about ready for a nap, and I am about ready to give up, but I ask him what he wants to do and he says, "Dad since the boat's broke, lets just go fish at the beach". Such wisdom from a four year old.

So, that's what we did and we had a great time.