It was early on a Friday morning when I took the day off work. My wife and I climbed into the truck and headed back to Lake St. Clair. The first trip had been all excitement. This second trip felt different — it was time to talk seriously.
Now, one thing you should know about me: when I drive, I like to go from point A to point B, no stops, no breaks, just get there fast. My wife, on the other hand, believes the journey is part of the adventure. So of course, we stopped at a truck stop along the way. Shopping happened, cinnamon buns and coffee were acquired, and by the time we got back on the road, the excitement was building again.
The Surprise
When we arrived, there she was — the boat. Our Time.
Wait a second. That name rang a bell. Sure enough, when I looked closer at the listing, it said: “As seen on TV.” No way. This was the very same boat we’d watched in the YouTube series Water Ways: The Journey, Pt. 1 — Toronto to Montreal. I couldn’t believe it.
The first time I’d seen her, she was wrapped up, sitting on cinder blocks, and I was crawling around on my knees trying to inspect what I could. Now here she was, uncovered, ready to motor.
The Test Drive
We got the tour, climbed aboard, and headed up the St. Clair River. I asked for high-speed S-turns to see how she handled, and she responded beautifully.
When the motor fired up, it roared like an old Chevy. All it was missing was a supercharger and turbo, but the rumble was enough to make me grin. At about 27 feet long, she cut through the rough water with ease. The ride was solid, confident, and fun.
I knew then — this was the boat.
The Deal
We came back to shore, and I looked at my wife. She didn’t need to say much. One look was enough.
“Let’s make a deal,” I said.
And just like that, the dream was no longer just a dream.