Mom of 3 -- You can totally get the kids and some of their friends in a Streblow. But if your husband really wants a boat and you don't -- try looking into boat timeshares or something like that. I know there is or used to be such a thing offered in Fontana but there might be the same type of thing on Lake Michigan and other lakes. All you have to do is order the boat you want for the weekend, day or 1/2 day. They'll launch, haul it out, maintenance, insure and store it. Or you could just rent. I prefer making friends with people who own boats.

Jombl -- if you do not already know about it, get the book Grand & Glorious by Larry Larkin. A great coffee table book of most of the really special and unique boats you can find on Lake Geneva.

Home shoppers -- If a Geneva Lake or Delavan lakefront home with a Streblow (in my dream it's a 22' mahogany Chris-Craft runabout or an old, refurbished Lyman) hanging on the hoist, of your private pier is your dream but not a reality, consider a home in a private association that provides lake access with a deeded boat slip or a relatively short waiting list or lottery for a slip or buoy. Waiting lists can take years. Not all associations operate the same - so make sure you understand what you are buying in to.

I want a boat like Jack Sparrow.

So now he's going to the auto show. He'll return with the usual 3 bags filled with brochures that I will promptly attempt to place in the recycling. At which point he will attempt to retrieve them and place them alongside the brochures from the boat show. And so it goes. I think my husband just wants to buy himself something fun to play with. Uh oh, I should watch what I write. After all, NATIVEHEAT is on the prowl these days.