They say a lot of great ideas originate from a thought or idea scribbled on the back of a bar napkin. It’s as if some people do their best thinking when they’re relaxed with a drink in their hand and surrounded by their buddies. But unfortunately for every great idea or inspired thought of wisdom, there are easily a hundred bad ones.
Never was this more obvious than a conversation I overheard between two guys talking over a few drinks at an Applebee’s in Indiana. Maybe it’s because I was the only one who didn’t have anything else in my Coke, but their logic made zero sense to me.
The conversation caught my ear from across the restaurant bar when one guy started talking about wanting to go fishing. That’s when his friend began trying to convince him that he didn’t need his boat anymore and that he knew of a “better way” to do it.
His “inspired” idea from his perch on his bar stool was for his friend to just sell his boat and then hire a fishing guide the next time he felt like fishing. His buddy just laughed and I think was humoring him as he let his friend ramble on for a few more minutes. I don’t think he was convincing anyone that night, but not once did his friend argue in the defense of owning a boat. I tried to do the right thing and just mind my own business, but then it became clear the conversation needed some balance.
I’m all for fishing guides when I’m traveling and especially when I’m in an unfamiliar region. I’ve spent plenty of days on the water with guides over the years and I would highly recommend them—not, however, as a replacement to owning a boat. Like replacement officials in the NFL last fall, this is an equally bad idea.
I broke my silence and simply let the two guys know that I have a boat and that I wouldn’t give it up. And before he could throw back his gibberish on me I quickly asked if he owned a barbecue grill. When he said he did, I suggested that he sell his grill and just hire a caterer the next time he feels like a steak. Or better yet, don’t bother to ever buy a big screen television. The next time you want to have the guys over to watch the game, why not just go rent a place instead. His smile quickly converted to a smirk as I probably overstepped my bounds a little.
At this point I decided to ease off the sarcasm, but I wasn’t going to let up on my point. I’m not going to sell my motorcycle and just rent when I feel like riding either. Because what’s going to happen if you start selling off your hobbies with plans to just rent or borrow, is that those few experiences are going to leave you without any hobbies.
We’re not talking about owning and maintaining an airplane, we’re simply talking about owning a boat. Yes there are maintenance costs, but those outweigh the enjoyment that comes with boat ownership. I love a good planned vacation as much as the next guy, but I also love the spontaneous trips too. If I get off work a little early in the middle of the week and I want to take my family fishing, I just hook up the boat and we’re gone. And I guess I’m a little selfish, but I want my memories to include my wife and kids, not my family and a fishing guide that I have to call each time I want to get out on the water.
I had made my point and at least had given these guys something to think about. I paid my tab and began to walk away when the two raised their glasses and one said, “We’ll see you on the water.” I smiled and thought to myself, I sure hope so.
