Enjoying the great outdoors: the boat

We love the outdoors and big adventures. Our adventures have changed quite a bit since we had Noah, who is now five. In the pre-baby days, we liked to do a lot of scrambling in the mountains, backpacking, and multiday kayak trips. After having a baby, our hiking and camping adventures changed, becoming more limited in frequency and to places easy to manage a toddler, like day hikes or car camping. We are always on the hunt for new adventures that are kid friendly, and that get us back out to the great outdoors.

We have been thinking about a boat for several years now. We tried a rubber dinghy, which was fun at first, but it only lasted a couple of trips before getting a giant hole. In fact, I think we got a new hole each trip we took. I guess we were a bit hard on the boat, which was built more for sandy beaches and floating around in the sun. We liked to bring it fishing and would row around little lakes trying to catch nice rainbows, stopping on rocky shores full of snags and logs for breaks where we would inevitably pick up a new hole. Fishing with a toddler means you need to stop at shore frequently for potty breaks and to collect snails and other treasures.

After the last hole, which was the end of the line for the boat, we decided enough is enough. It is time for a serious boat. The difficulty with a full size boat is storage. Where do you store a boat in Vancouver when you live in a townhouse? We are not super keen on expensive storage fees and having to travel far to pick up the boat before a quick weekend outing. What would be perfect for us is a car topper. Something we can take to secret fishing holes and on backwoods adventures. We love to try to seek out quiet little lakes that few people know about, that are an adventure in themselves to get to. So with these things in mind I started my search.

It’s funny. I continually think that my happiness is dependent on something we do not have. I know it is ridiculous and we all know that happiness comes from within, but I still do this. In the summers I search for boats and vintage travel trailers. This summer was no different. I do believe though, that we need to get back to our adventurous life, our weekends in the wild. And what more to help than a boat. Somehow it makes sense. I do miss warm summer days, lounging in the boat and fishing. It is a very relaxing activity and reminds me of when I was young, out fishing with my family in the little aluminum boat.

So after much research, we start looking at boat dealers. There are some pretty serious boats in the inflatables market. Nothing like the little dinghies we’ve been rowing around. We find two options that we really like. The first boat is a bit smaller and has a high pressure inflatable floor similar to the stand up paddle boards. It is easy to set up and the smaller dimensions will make storage easier. The second boat we like is a bit larger. It will hold up to six people, which is perfect if we are ever able to convince my older sons to come out with us. They are adults now and they have their own adventures, but there is always the hope that they will still come on some of our adventures. The larger boat has an aluminum floor which comes in four pieces. It is more sturdy than an inflatable floor, but it is more work to set up. After much humming and hawing we decide on the larger boat with a nine horsepower gas motor. They don’t have any motors in stock, but can get the one we are looking at the following week. Wow, we are set. Brand new, the boat fits in the Thule and the floor pieces fit in the back of the car. So home we go with our new boat.

Now that we have a boat we are itching to get out to the lake. We don’t have our motor yet though. We decide to get a small electric trolling motor which we prefer to have anyways. It is quieter and more environmentally friendly. Now we are set for a weekend camping. We are starting to pack our gear when we notice some of the neighbors outside having a beer. Ok, we both agree that the packing can wait until the morning. Let’s go have a beer.

The next morning, with somewhat of a hangover, I get up and look at our half packed gear. Where should I start? Boater license. We need our boater’s licenses now that we have a boat with a motor. That seems like a good place to start. The boater’s course is set up so that you need to spend a minimum amount of time on each chapter. I rush through the first chapter as fast as the system allows, and then fail the chapter test. Damn, I need to pay more attention. I slow down and start to take notes. Four hours later I pass the exam with flying colors. Phew. About then Nico wanders downstairs, looking hungover and like he was run over by a truck. I laugh and say “at least one of us can captain the boat!”

Finally we have our gear packed and we are ready to go. It is 4:00. Ok, whatever. The point is just to get out and try the boat. By the time we get to the lake the campsite is full. We circle again but there is nothing. So we turn around, head back down road, looking for somewhere to camp. We end up finding a perfect little spot over looking the lake, up on a rock ridge. Ok, this is not too bad. We set up the tent and make some dinner. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to try the boat.

The following morning, we head back to the boat launch and attempt to set up the boat. Ok, I guess there is a bit of a learning curve. We are definitely not as fast as the guy in the video. Finally, after a lot of sweat and swearing, we find the trick. A hard, flat surface. We cannot set the boat up on sand. Once we are out on the lake we quickly forget about the painful set up. The boat is awesome. The perfect size with a kid. We love the electric motor. It is so quiet. The day is beautiful. We troll along the lake, enjoying the sun and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

The following weekend, armed with the larger motor, we are ready to go again. We decide to head up to Jones lake. We underestimate what a popular lake it is. We also learn that Jones lake is a total teen hangout. The campground is full, and further up the lake past the campground we find the party spot, marked by loads of empties and teenagers lying around. Eventually we find a spot to camp on the other side of the lake. It is not the best spot, but it doesn’t matter. We will be on the lake and the lake is beautiful. Setting the boat up the second time is much easier. We are getting the hang of it!

So I know you can’t buy happiness, as is evident by my current state, but the boat sure is a lot of fun. It suits us perfectly. We are getting much faster at setting it up and it fits nicely in the Thule. We built a secure box at home for storage. We even loaded it up with our gear and went up the lake to a secluded spot to camp. The boat gets us out into nature. Into the solitude of the mountains and forests. To peaceful lakes, surrounded by beauty. Just what the doctors are recommending :).