www.iFourWinns.com

Yep, works great that way. Sometimes we get lucky. If we're really lucky we won't screw it up.

The admiral is the one that wanted the boat in the first place.

It's only because of my height that we ended up in the 348. Having thrown my back out some years ago trying to use the head in a friend's Fountain, I vowed never to have a boat without a head in which I could stand in fully upright. My wife jokes had she known this was a requirement she could've gotten a less expensive boat if she'd found a shorter husband.

When we got the boat she was skeptical of adding the $1k sat weather hookup. One truly nasty storm on the Bay turned that decision right around.

The new cover took a bit of a sales pitch. At $2k it damn well better last at least five years to beat the cost of shrinkwrap.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Hmm . . . No I cannot actually say that she approves very much. In fact she rarely says much about anything to do with purchases. I do the research and we discuss our options within our budget (which I often wreck by the time it's settled) but she pretty much goes along with anything knowing that I have sourced the best we can afford for a rock-bottom price.
I am the offender and it's often me who has to harass her about buying the bargain basement clothes and such - I tell her that a cheap man buys twice (only because we don't really have to for the moment).
Like WettDogg says - we have the same values, goals and process of thought. We keep each other informed about everything. We are nowhere near wealthy (financially) but we definitely make the most of what we do have as long as we don't get into a ridiculous buy now pay forever after situation.
Having our kids, each other, health and incomes is an awful lot to be thankful for. After all the rest is just gravy isn't it?
Hence the tag "Blessed".

_________________
2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

Well, for the most part, I really cant complain. I work a hectic schedule, and that typically means 6 days a week. This will be our third season with a boat and its our second boat actually. I bought our first boat on a total whim. I went to Bass Pro to look at some hunting equipment and they had an entry level Tahoe (leftover 2006, new) that seemed like a good deal. I called her and asked her if she wanted a boat. She said, sure, ok. Took delivery the next morning. Last year, I got the urge for something slightly larger, better looking etc...and told her I was going to start looking again. Two days later, we were taking delivery, again. This time she met me at the dealer to help pick out the color scheme. She was very on board with a new boat. She quickly realized that the boat really provided us some good quality family time with the schedule I keep. With that in mind, she has always been pretty flexible with anything boat related. She knows the boat is "my toy" and I kind of do whatever I want, within reason.

My upgrades:

LED's - because I wanted to. She thinks they are cool, but could care less either way as long as it didnt cost a lot (it didnt)
Second battery - because I wanted to. She views it as important too though.
Stereo upgrade - because I wanted to. She doesnt know the exact cost (and I like it that way) but she wanted some sort of upgrades. She left it in my hands to make something work.

Like I said, its sort of my toy and she knows it brings a lot of joy to our family and is ok with whatever I do, as long as its affordable to accomplish.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

So, I didn’t expect this thread to get all sappy or anything. Geesh, did ya have your gal read it later? I hope it worked. Just kidding. We wouldn’t bring them along in a confined space unless we got along with them. Otherwise it would be a mighty long stretch of quiet time back to the ramp. We all do what we can with whatever limited disposable cash available so yes, negotiations are required sometimes. I bought a new roof last year so the coffee can looked a little anaemic for some time but what’s a little overtime between hobbies? Does the Admiral easily approve of things? Meh.

_________________
2007 Four Winns Horizon 190 Season Four
Frontiersman 18.5' freighter canoe with sail rig
No fuel problems if you just float. Bugger that, I'm burning fuel this season.

As for the Admiral... A happy wife is a happy life.

I think I am lucky enough to say that my Admiral let me get the most of items I want as long as it does not make too much noise…. No Captains Call exhaust… other than that I have a freedom….

_________________

08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

People are so funny. As soon as I get out of the boat to go retrieve my truck/trailer my wife opens up the exhaust and heads out of the no wake zone to make noise until I get on the ramp.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Nauti Luv - I want to say something humorous about that post but I can't seem to get a general audience rating. Looks like your husband can play.

_________________
2007 Four Winns Horizon 190 Season Four
Frontiersman 18.5' freighter canoe with sail rig
No fuel problems if you just float. Bugger that, I'm burning fuel this season.

As for the Admiral... A happy wife is a happy life.

Its all me here (husband - Steve), wife doesnt do forums.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

"my wife opens up the exhaust and heads out of the no wake zone to make noise until I get on the ramp."

Ya didn't get it. Sounds like your husband (wife) can play. Now are you too sedate or did she really want a Harley?

_________________
2007 Four Winns Horizon 190 Season Four
Frontiersman 18.5' freighter canoe with sail rig
No fuel problems if you just float. Bugger that, I'm burning fuel this season.

As for the Admiral... A happy wife is a happy life.

My wife says she could careless about having a boat, but she's love to go out on it even if it's just her, Tubing Scotty, and I. I haven't ever had to ask about what I buy. Don't get me wrong she'll give me a couple of remarks when we're alone, but she doesn't mind making light of all my toys with friends. Just went 1600 miles to get a new 200 MPH sport-bike (the exact same kind I about killed myself on 3yrs ago) and all she said; Is their anyone going with you. I'm very lucky, she's one in a million!

_________________
Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

Hey what can I say she let me buy a brand new boat , so I named it after her. It was the least I could do

_________________
Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

You guys crack me up. If I had to ask the Admiral every time I bought something I wanted I would:
a. have to kill myself, or
b. start wearing her skirts, or
c. trade in the Admiral for a first mate!

_________________
2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Having to ask and including your wife in your decisions are two different things.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Or when all else fails ......BEG !!!
works most of the time

_________________
Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc