First love is special

The Weapon.

And what a Weapon she was.

first boat, first love, lake nagambie boat water fishing — Never underestimate 25 hp.

The vessel that took me from full-time land dweller, to captain of the high seas. There’s nothing like your first love.

What a feeling. Sucking in that ocean air. 2 stroke roaring out the back. Crisp morning air, biting at the skin of your face.

No roads, lines or markings. Completely free.

first boat, first love, mud islands boat water fishing tinny caught coasting port phillip bay — The Weapon, staring down the Port Phillip Heads.

The weapon as she was affectionately known, was my first boat. A Stacer Seasprite. 25 hp Johnson 2 stroke on the back.

Boat collars, forward steering and a heart that was 30 foot, not the 13 foot the rest of the world could see.

25 hp is a fair bit of grunt bolted to a boat that wasn’t quite 4 metres.

We could hit just over 20 knots with a fairly light load, crossing from Werribee to Portarlington in 20 minutes. She could pull a donut, but not quite enough for wakeboards.

The weapon wasn’t too thirsty. She’d happily punch out a 50km round trip, smashing down 30 litres of precariously mixed 2 stroke oil.

Not bad for an engine built in 1998.

first boat, first love, mud islands boat water fishing tinny caught coasting port phillip bay lake nagambie — Cruiser + Fishing + Diving + Ski boat.

Would I recommend her as a first boat? 100%

She was forgiving, very forgiving. Banging into jettys, numerous beachings, river bank launches, countless submerged logs. All in her stride and graciously forgiven.

They can take a fair beating, launchable by yourself, economical and lightweight (I was towing with a Ford Focus).

There’s always a special place in the heart for your first boat.