Well, this should be interesting......

My Father in Law called me and said "OK, if you want the boat, come get it out of the barn"

Thing is, there are three boats in the barn. One, a wooden Chris Craft barrel back, circa early 1950's, a Pontoon / deck style family "boat", and an 80's ski boat / Correct Craft IIRC. All of the above are in pristine condition. The barrel back has been covered since its restoration some 15+ years ago. The ski boat, again, covered for the last 10 years, and the pontoon has been a summer staple with the kids and Grandpa.

I informed my Wife that I would be heading up north this weekend. Her around the bush way of not asking me what I'm doing but narrowing it down slightly she asked "which car are you taking?". "I'm taking the truck" I tell her, and I get a tilted head / slight frown, inquisitive look in response.

This should be fun.

I've sent you my wife's number via PM. If you could speak to her, that'd be great. I don't have such a great history with 'project' boats of any size.

Well, it seems my Father in Law's version of "barrel back" is slightly different than mine. Yes, it was a wooden boat, beautifully cared for, but not the boat I was expecting to see. In my prior wanderings around the barn, it was buried in back, mostly covered, out of view, etc. It was a small runabout, wooden, don't know the mfg, but not something that would be workable for me. (read on). The Pontoon was the other option, which we've spent many a weekends on with the kids, etc. while on many of the smaller inland lakes. Nice option, but wait, there's more..... let's open door number three..... I uncover the ski boat, which I was not initially too keen on until he gave me the history of it, and threading this with 10 years of blissful marriage to my (lovely) bride and her childhood stories of "when we were kids on the lake, the little red boat......) the story continues with a glee of memories in her eyes.

That being said, and my (lovely) wife knowing my history of "boat projects", big or small) I decided to drag "the little red boat" home. After a drink or two with the FiL, he made it clear that knowing his Daughter, this would be something I could bring home, freshen up, and would surely be a hit with her and the kids as it was very much a part of her childhood summers, and has always held a spot in her heart. We obviously have children that would make great use out of it.

He was right. I got home, pulled into the drive and headed back towards the garage and the children came running to see what Daddy brought home. My (lovely) bride welcomed me with the words "I just love this old boat!" (profit)

She's a 17.5' ski boat / family style 'putput' as I'd refer to it as. I/O Mercruiser, early 80's and in very good to excellent condition. The gelcoat looks like it was done yesterday. Musty from sitting in a barn, covered, bothballed, etc. but nothing a good cleaning won't fix. A stop at the yard for a tune up / check of seals, nuts, bolts, hardware, electrics, etc.

Summer fun with the kids awaits.

While laying in bed that night, she says to me "I thought you were going to bring that old wooden boat home and you'd have yet another never ending project with all the spare time you think you have"

'I thought I was too dear'

"I just love the red boat. It brings back so many great memories" she says.

I know dear...... I know.
I grabbed the latest copy of Robb Report from my nightstand and started dreaming of that 640M lottery ticket I didn't buy. I comment out loud "I think I need to get a different exhaust system for the Pcar."

Battlefield Score:
Wife: 18
Me: 17