The bigger boat we need may be out of our reach

By Chris Sargent

Those first few moments are the most special. A dull, hollow sound of rocks and shoreline scuffing the hull beneath my feet quickly gives way to a calming, elegant peacefulness. 

I immediately feel a sense of freedom as I silently drift away from shore, leaving behind the world’s stressors, worries and problems. Silence is overtaken by the subtle sloshing of water as a paddle quietly slips its way below the surface, smoothly propelling us forward with a J-stroke. 

I have selfishly enjoyed every second of time I have spent on that white ash seat, with nothing but my own thoughts to keep me company. But our family is growing, and as much as I love alone time in my little canoe, I think it’s time for a bigger boat.

Don’t bother wondering if there will soon be a sweet deal on a camouflage 14-foot Old Town canoe. I made that mistake once when I sold a beautiful 16-foot Old Town guide canoe on Craigslist for $250 to help me buy a 1984 Honda three-wheeler. 

At the time, the wheeler was more important, and I was too busy at work to take many fishing trips anyhow. I no longer have the three-wheeler, and bought a new canoe a few years ago for far more than $250. I’m not parting with this one. 

We also own a slick little 14-foot aluminum boat with a small outboard motor that family members gave to us a few years ago. The trailer needs considerable work, and it’s still a bit small to comfortably fit two adults, two toddlers and gear for a day on the water. 

With regular access to a family camp on the Moose River in Rockwood, Moosehead Lake is our primary recreation location. Neither the canoe nor the little motorboat are suitable there for safe, family fun. 

After talking things over with my girlfriend Emily, we decided to look for a boat. Emily encouraged me to look at brand new fishing boats, citing quality family time as justification.

With that, the search began. 

Having never seriously researched the retail fishing boat world, I am a bit disappointed, although not surprised. Today’s boats are absolutely amazing, and I immediately fell in love with several models offered by various manufacturers. 

It is very clear that some of the larger, more luxurious models are far too expensive to even dream about, but we aren’t all that interested in small yachts. We just want a 16-foot aluminum fishing boat with a decent outboard motor, and a walk-through console that is comfortable, safe and will be fun for the family. 

But the price tags on even the most basic boat packages are hard for us to fathom. 

I was dealt a particularly crushing blow recently when I stopped at a local dealer after eyeing the perfect boat. The salesman assured me I was in luck. Not only was the boat exactly what I was looking for, but also the most basic model, thus the least expensive one on the lot.  

Coming in at just under $30,000, the only thing I offered the salesman was a handshake for his time. For now, anyhow.

We thought about looking at used boats, but even those are expensive. Plus, we aren’t interested in spending big money to inherit someone else’s problems. 

Buying new means every memory made aboard belongs to our family and friends. No matter how much time we think we have left, nothing is promised, so why not take life out of the box and play with it once in a while? 

Our life and the world have changed. Our priorities are different, and we are dedicated to providing two little boys with the best life we can. 

So, as much as those quiet, alone moments in my little canoe mean to me, it’s time to trade them for the purr of an outboard motor, smiles and memories that will never have a price tag.  

I’m not sure yet how to make it work financially, but we will figure it out.