My Boat

Eleven years ago, I was in a relationship with a guy who loved to camp. I wouldn’t sleep in a tent; too uncomfortable, hot and sticky and just not for me. One day a friend showed up next door by boat. We went out to see him and instantly I was drawn to the boat! It was a cabin cruiser boat. It had a bed, small kitchen with a fridge and a bathroom!!! Genius! This is what I needed to camp in.

I found one and we went to look at it and test drive it. The following week I bought it and picked it up. It was used all summer when ever we went camping up the lakes.

Now I can drive a boat, but I never drove this boat. It was too big. My ex always drove it. I liked to be driven around! I didn’t think I would ever have to drive it.

Skip 5 years ahead when I decided to move to Barrie, On. Everyone told me to sell my boat. They said it was too big and that I would never be able to drive it. I didn’t want to sell it. I love being on the boat and on the lake. I grew up on the lake and the reason I moved to Barrie was because of the Lakes.

Barrie was the perfect place to have this boat. I found a Marina with a service department, a gas dock and a pump out dock. Everything was great. I had friends come down and hang out at the Marina with me. I met a few other boaters and was happy with my decision to keep my boat. Then one day my friend says, Lets take the boat out! I went numb. I started to panic. Take the boat out? No, not today. Why not today she asked? And here I was thinking, exactly, why not today? I could come up with excuses but I knew if I didn’t get out on the boat then I would get too comfortable at the dock and would never end up going on it.

I put the blower on, rolled up the windows, and started the boat. This is it I thought, I’m going to do this. I untied the boat and started to back it out of the slip. Holy crap! I’m really doing this!!!! Put it into forward and away we went. Heading out of the Marina. But to where? I didn’t know where there was to go. Who cares, just drive! I went through the markers and there I was, in Kempenfelt Bay! I puttered for a bit admiring the beautiful homes on the lake. After I was comfortable at the wheel, I sped up. We went around the waterfront down town and found a spot where other boats were anchored in shallow water. We stopped and swam for a while and just enjoyed being out.

Then we had to head back. And the anxiety kicked in. I would now have to dock the boat. The slip I had was a double slip so I had a slip partner. I had to dock the boat without taking out the dock or the boat beside me. What had I gotten myself into? I drove into the Marina and headed for the slip. My friend turns and says, “you got this girl!” I smiled and thought, damn rights I got this!!! I did a wide turn into the slip and the wind caught me and pulled me away from the dock. I started to sweat. Thinking fast I put it in reverse and back up with the wind away from the other boat. It took me a few tries to get it in and then a boater came and helped me in. We tied up the boat and I stood there staring at the boat. I did it!!!! I drove my boat and docked it.

I continued to take it out with friends until one day no one was able to come out with me. I thought, I could either stay in the Marina and cook in the heat or go out and jump in the lake. I sucked it up and decided to head out. I told myself I could do it. I’ve already been doing it; I would just be alone this time. And out I went! Coming back a boater came and helped me dock. But again, I did it!!

I have now been driving my boat around Kempenfelt and Simcoe. I go out with people and some times it’s just me. I have had my Marina friends help me so much, teaching me tricks on docking and even driving the boat. I no longer fear my boat. It is my happy place. I couldn’t imagine not having it to escape on. When I think back to the first time I drove my boat, I am so grateful to my friend for suggesting we to go out that day. I am so proud of myself for keeping the boat and having the courage to drive it.

And to all the people that said I couldn’t drive my boat, Actually, I can!!!

I can and I did!