At the Cottage - Varied and Versatile

Where a boat is much more than just a boat

By Matt Spencer

A typical day at my cottage starts at dawn, loading up the tin boat to go fishing. Picture the classic 16-foot aluminum with the black-and-blue 9.8 Mercury outboard. It’s a workout in itself just to get it started. But once we do, the sweet smell of two-stroke follows us as we troll up and down the lake.

Returning for breakfast, a shower and maybe a few small projects before grabbing a quick bite for lunch, it’s then time to put on the bathing suit and gas up the bowrider. While this is happening, the kids excitedly discuss who will go after whom on the afternoon’s rides, making sure they’re in the water ready for their turn. And this is just for skiing… we haven’t even gotten to tubing yet.

After dinner, it’s usually time to jump back into the “tinner” to head down the lake and try our luck one last time before the day’s end. Or, if we’re feeling a little lazy, everyone piles into the pontoon boat for a relaxing cruise in the beautiful twilight of the day.

And this is just what we DO with our boats. Up and down the lake, they are also often the topic of discussion over refreshments at the dock with neighbours and visiting guests. “Gary’s boat sounds like it’s running a little lean” or “Oh, it looks like Sue and Richard have company this weekend” or “Jim sure is bringing a lot of lumber to the island, he must be finally finishing his deck.” Just like the cars in your neighbourhood or the parking lot at work, you relate the boats with the owners and their habits and preferred activities.

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View the video: PowerBoat Television dedicated Episode 7 of its 2011 season entirely to cottage boats. To view the episode online or for a list of broadcasters and airtimes, please visit powerboattv.com.

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