As a kid, excitement arose when the summer weekends would come around because my friends would move back in next door – kids who came with their parents to stay on their boat for the weekend. My excitement could only be kept back by the clock, as I was told that I had to wait until 8am before knocking on companionway doors.
The Canels and the Wachs were the usual subjects. On many occasions, I would leave at 8:15am on Sunday Morning with the Wachs on their Boston Whaler, headed to Saugatuck to go waterskiing or climb a dune.
We often lost track of time and found ourselves racing back to Macatawa on Sunday mornings so I could get to church on time. Lake Michigan doesn’t always cooperate with your plans and there were a few times that we left the Saugatuck channel and headed into much bigger waves than when we arrived. The added weather would raise the stakes a little in the race back for
church. As you can imagine, a 17’ Boston Whaler doesn’t offer the most comfort when racing
across Lake Michigan, but moms don’t have much indulgence for a family that isn’t ready for church on time because they are out on a boat goofing around.
Therein lies the quandary for Uncle Charlie: throttle back and take it slow or throttle up and make it to church on time? Being late, let alone being late for church, is not mom’s style. Throttling up meant that Uncle Charlie would save his own behind from bringing me home late for church, but it also meant the opposite for us kids - Our behinds were going to take a beating! We would each plead our case or fight for a good seat on the padded cooler. If that was taken, you would hope for a throwable cushion to sit on, or else you would just get the hard fiberglass bow. Fortunately for me, Capt. Charlie usually assigned the padded cooler to the guests and his own boys sat on the open bow, regardless of how much pleading and whining came from them.
So now, as we make our way back to Macatawa, the waves bounce us off the seats as we held on strong so we didn’t fly off the boat. Then we braced hard for the landing. Although the cooler seat gives some relief, I still took a pounding in big waves. However, my ride was much better than what was happening on the bow directly in front of me I would watch my friends bouncing around so violently that screams were likely heard from shore as tears ran down their cheeks. Eventually we’d get back to the slip at Eldean Shipyard where I quickly jumped off the boat and ran home for Church.
I cherish memories of climbing nearly every dune, water-skiing behind the bridges in
Saugatuck, and having a blast every time! Our butts always recovered from the bruising and I would be back at their boat again at 8am the next week knocking on the cabin door wanting more. So just remember, Throttle UP! – There is a lot of boating to do before Church on Sunday Morning!
by Wade Eldean