js118

What makes you addicted the water, boats, fishing, cruising, sand barring, marina hopping, and spending all of the money and time on the lifestyle that we all are drawn to. I think for me it is the stress relief of the daily grind. I wasted probably 4 to 6 hours this week on minor things on my boat and fishing gear that will not see water til March or April. It's a labor of love!

MillenialMechie

I think you pretty much nailed it. For me, it’s two fold. Part of the drive is the experience of boating (the fun stuff mentioned in your first sentence, what I refer to as Type 1 fun) and the other part is the work (bottom painting, cleaning the bilge, waxing, etc... type 2 fun). Type 2 fun distracts me from normal life bs and gives me something to focus on. I’m currently boatless so I’m finding other ways to try to fill that void. In general, I feel very rudderless in life if I don’t have something to in life to focus my energy on outside of typical life responsibilities (work, family, etc).

For what’s it’s worth, my split between time spent on Type 2 fun vs Type 1 fun is probably 2 to 1

GoodRun

The adrenaline rush when you see that fish’s color next to the boat for the first time and sinking the gaff (or net now, thanks VA)

also knowing I am fortunate enough to raise my kids on the water the same as I was. Probably this more than anything

YeOldeStonecat

Everything's better on the water!

I just grew up boating. Was in diapers on my parents boat....they were into water skiing and cruising to the beach (1960's...Glaston 18' with a Chrysler outboard)

FishLife

Seeing that rod bend, especially in a kids hands, and seeing that smile on their face.....

triumphrick

As an 8 year old I used fishing as a getaway. Things at home were chaotic....but we all know how relaxing days on the water or with a fishing rod can be...

That has stayed with me for the past 65 years. I am happy now to be able to have grandkids that are just now finding out what excitement there is on the water.

nibble

What really lights my fire is seeing beautiful green and blue water, crystal clear. I don't like boating on ugly brown river water or lake water. Currently living in N.C. where I'm within 30 mines of lakes, but I'm 2 1/4 hours to Wilmington and the ocean so I've been on the lakes maybe 3 times in the last 4 years, just to pull friends kids on a tube, rest of the time I haul to the coast to enjoy boating. I fish but I don't know what I'm doing and I don't care, I seldom catch anything. Hope to move to Venice this summer where we vacation often at Christmas, just got back from there. It's beautiful there and the water is breath taking, at least to us. Sold both my boats early 2020 and haven't found a replacement because of the inflated prices. I'll find 1 this year no matter the cost. Wish I would have just kept one I sold, they were both perfect, but 1 was a 24' offshore, the other a 19 bay boat. I want a 20'-21' that can somewhat do both. It's a shame , $50K cash sitting there begging to be spent on a boat, but I won't pay $10K over value right now, might have to if prices don't drop as I WILL NOT go another summer without a boat.

airbrush

I just took a couple guys fishing on Thursday. We didn't catch anything but a great time was had by all. I'll be going out again Monday.

phillipdebeacke

A mini vacation every time you go out

DanS

A drunk college girl in a bikini.

Gullpt

For us the boat was a true blessing this past summer while all other types of activities were shut down. I believe it’ll be not much different this coming summer

savedbygrace6868

My son and I call fishing “Therapy”. It’s our getaway to relax and get rid of stress, whether we are in the boat or on the bank. My husband and I are in the process of getting our 2 year old grandson into fishing. I don’t care to fish when it is cold anymore so we will take him out when it warms up some but everyday we get in his pretend boat and catch big fish. He plays in our boat as well. This was him at 16 months old. First fishing trip.

Logan311

Everything's better on the water!

seems that way for sure

magua

That is an awesome pic right there.

jko2004

Grew up on the water fishing and boating. I don't know life without it. I've been spoiled I suppose and I hope that I can spoil my grandchildren one day too.

FishLife

THIS is what matters in this world to me. My F5 tornado......

js118

The replies are great. All good points. Some of the replies remind me of July 4th this past yr. The trailer had an issue and we unable to go out. We were driving through town going to a pool party and the malls and shops were packed. I told wife so this what non-boaters do on the 4th. She looked at me dead serious and said I wanna go back. She is as addictive as I am.

js118

I like the fun Tiers

dorado II

One time I was feeling a little tired from all the stuff I had to do getting the boat ready. When I got down to the landing I heard a seagull doing it’s laughing gull sound. That was it. All worries faded away and I remembered how much I loved the water.

saltwaters

The experiences that turn into memories and stories told later in life.