In Defense of Building a Duck Boat

[RM Anderson]

Lately my neighbors (retired) have been giving me a hard time for working on my duck boats and not spending time with them. This has given me alot of food for thought. First of all, what have they created in the time that I've known them. Nothing. Secondly, I've been able to enjoy duck hunting year round because of my efforts. Third and most important is the community I've discovered here on duckboats.net. We may disagree at times but we all share a common bond. Thoughts, RM

 

[jode hillman]

Thoughts? I think it's great. It's your time, use it as you see fit! You owe no explanations to Anyone.

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Tell them if they want to spend time with you, they need to help. Many hands speeds up sanding, among other things.

 

[Steven Alexander]

Why do your neighbors care that you are building duck boats? Maybe recruit them to help out? You keep doing you.

 

[RM Anderson]

You guys are absolutely right. I can't remember ever having so much fun with a project. I believe it was Kenneth Grahame who once wrote, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
RM

 

[Eric Patterson]

I wonder if your neighbors are capable of doing simple repairs in their own home or on their motorized equipment and vehicles, or anywhere else for that matter. Or do they have to call a repairman for everything in their lives? You see, people who find joy in working and tinkering on their hobby stuff are often problem solvers and all that time building and maintaining their duck boats (insert hobby here) increases their abilities to repair and maintain other items.

Just last night my son and I replaced the impeller on his outboard. The only reason I knew how to do this is because I've spent a lifetime tinkering, building, and repairing duck boats and all things related to them. What would a marine mechanic charge for that job? I don't know. But for sure that money is still in my son's wallet! What your neighbors fail to see is the education one can get when they work on their stuff and over a lifetime a hobby or hobbies can result in a lot of opportunity to learn and gain experience. They fail to see just maybe you spend time working on your duck boat is because you built it and it gives you satisfaction to be around. Your neighbor probably can't relate because they've never created anything with their own two hands. If they had I don't think they would make those critical statements.

You don't have to convince your neighbor of anything. Some folks will never get it. That's why there are golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball and ways for them to spend their time, and I suspect never a word from you about it.

 

[Clinton John]

Sounds like you need to build a 10 foot wood fence between your dirt and theirs.

As they say good fences, make for good neighbors.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Lately my neighbors (retired) have been giving me a hard time for working on my duck boats and not spending time with them. This has given me alot of food for thought. First of all, what have they created in the time that I've known them. Nothing. Secondly, I've been able to enjoy duck hunting year round because of my efforts. Third and most important is the community I've discovered here on duckboats.net. We may disagree at times but we all share a common bond. Thoughts, RM

RM~

I suspect you are preaching to the choir here. I cannot imagine going through life any other way. I have built 19 vessels thus far - and restored, customized, maintained scores of others. All of this in my "free time" - along with decoys, houses, barns et cetera, et cetera....

A couple of years ago I came across a quote that struck a welcome chord. I heard it from Jay Leno but it is attributed mostly to Seneca (the ancient Roman philosopher): "The heart is happiest when the head and hands are working together."

I suspect many of us on this site subscribe to that principle.

And, I was very lucky to have a dad that believed he could do anything at all - and mastered many, many skills - often with me as his "assistant".

Finally, when I "retired" from my career in wildlife conservation, I very carefully planned my Phase II. Minimal bureaucracy and maximum creativity. Susan and I do lots of "work" (as viewed by others) - but we simply need to be productive every day. There is always ample time for family and friends as well.

All the best,

SJS

 

[RM Anderson]

Seneca (the ancient Roman philosopher): "The heart is happiest when the head and hands are working together."

Steve, That is good advice for anyone. One thing that I quickly picked up on when I started building duck boats is how few people build what they need anymore. For me and I suspect many others on this site, it is a way to enjoy the hunt throughout the year. The journey is so much fun and much more rewarding than simply purchasing a boat.
Thanks, RM

 

[Carl]

I cant imagine having to call the plumber every time the sink started dripping, or a carpenter when I need some trim replaced.
A shop full of tools and hobbies is wealth of experience.
And like noted above, it keeps the mind & body working.

 

[Richard Lathrop]

Do what makes you happy. Life is way to short. We all share similar interests here so it is our support group. I don't think anyone here will counsel against owning, working on, restoring or having to many decoys, guns, gear, boats or getting outdoors.