The Lowly Rowboat

As a kid growing up close to Lake Erie after World War  II there were rowboats everywhere.  They were used for everything from recreation to commercial fishing and for search and rescue.  People with big money had inboard motor boats while the average Joe had a rowboat.  Large outboard motors had not been invented or reached the general population yet so a10 hp. motor was a big deal.  You could buy a boat ready made by a company like Old Towne or you could do what my dad and uncle did and build your own.  As a young lad I was shown my uncles latest boat which he was quite proud of.  It was completely submerged in about eight feet of clear water in a small lake.  I must have made lots of points by saying "that must not have been made right if it's sunk like that" not realizing that a wood boat has to soak for three days so the wood swells up and they don't leak.  The first picture below is my parents in the stern of dad's pre WW II rowboat.  After the war he purchased a 7.5 hp. Champion two cylinder which allowed him to zip threw an inlet much faster than rowing.  But he still kept the oars on board  just in case.  The next picture is my mother letting me inspect the bottom of the family boat.  The last picture is the family out for a Sunday ride.  I am the cool guy in the center holding on.  They got many years of use and great memories out of that old home made boat.  Maybe I need to build a rowboat that will hopefully float after a good soaking.

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