Share the Love of Boating

Published: Saturday, September 8, 2012 7:00 am
By: Van Snider

Months ago my wife and I made arrangements to rent two cabins along the Indian River, in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula, to encourage as many of our family members as possible to vacation with us up north. Two vehicles and one trailerable boat will be loaded with everything needed to enjoy a great week of boating, fishing and cruising. Even though not all of our family will be with us, my wife and I, our daughter and four of our five grandchildren are looking forward to a northern Michigan experience. I know our grandchildren are excited based on the questions they have recently asked. Even our oldest granddaughter texted my cell phone and asked if I was bringing the inflatable tube to pull behind the boat.

I've spent time preparing for the trip. I’ve installed a new fish finder, had the trailer wheel-bearings repacked and greased, had the outboard motor serviced, checked the rods and reels, reorganized my tackle box and bought new life preservers (PFDs) since the grandkids outgrew most of the ones they wore previously. Exciting!

I’ve written about a variety of boating topics over the years. Sometimes I review previously written articles to stimulate my thinking about my next topic. Over four years ago I wrote how important it is for current boaters to “Share the Love” of boating with others which is important to the survival of boating. I’ve been thinking about our trip up north with our grandkids and how my wife and I are establishing a foundation of appreciation for boating within our grandchildren each time we take them on the water.

Within the boating industry, there has been media attention to the changing demographics in our country and how the boating industry needs to reach out to minority populations that are increasing as a percentage of the overall population. If not, there will be less Americans who are enjoying the benefits of boating, sailing and fishing. I support expanding marketing efforts to minorities and have for many years. The boating industry and current boaters also should expose more young people to water-based recreation in order to ensure boatings’ future.

In our small way, my wife and I are helping our grandchildren learn to swim, providing fun boating experiences and creating an appreciate for our lakes and rivers. During this vacation, our outboard motorboat will be dockside ready to cruise and fish the Michigan Inland Waterway. Here’s some of the activities to share with them: Cruise lakes and rivers within the 40-mile inland waterway system; head to the shallow sandbar area in Mullett Lake for a swim; do some lake and river fishing; take the kids tubing; take a Ferry ride to Mackinac Island; visit the historic fishing village at Leland, MI; visit Cheboygan, MI for their Waterways Festival; go to the beach at Burt Lake State Park and hang out to watch the sunset as often as possible.

I know this may not sound like much, but, I’ll guarantee one thing. Our grandkids will remember every thing we do there for years to come...possibly for the rest of their lives. If I’m right, they will, as adults, be doing the same thing with their kids and sharing the love of boating. That’s the point!