The wife doesn't know she is an admiral - yet

[Andy26M]

Tell her you've gotten her a beautiful new dinette set as a gift, but you have to take her to see it. When you get there, just say:

"Oh, did I forget to mention that your dinette set is attached to my boat?"

If dinette set isn't the right item, then substitute in the queen sized bed, sofas/settees, carpet, or something else.

- Andy

[daydreamerbob]

OK Now we are getting somewhere! Lots of good ideas rolling around in my empty head. I can combine all these and end up with a successful interning of the admiral.

If anyone from the SouthEast would like to know how to get to MeatChicken (that state up north of Ohio) just go north til you smell it and then west til you step in it.

[KayakDan]

Until she sees the West Marine bills, and they recognise you by name when you come in.

And it can get worse than that....
We went into the local WM one day and their regular guy Tom says to me
"Hey,glad to see ya again...but we're REALLY glad to see her again!"

She just loves shopping at WM!

File this under the category" Be careful what you wish for...."

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

After she sees the new Mac if she can't handle you buying it then you may have made a big mistake.

No not the boat but you may have the wrong wife.

[jaguar496]

After she sees the new Mac if she can't handle you buying it then you may have made a big mistake.

No not the boat but you may have the wrong wife.

Even ALICE agrees Alice and Stew,"THE RESTLESS TWO"

[corkscrew]

If you didn't tell her.......>DON'T!

Sneak the oat in, get familiar with her. Wait for a great night, stars in the sky, yadda. Tell her you "arranged a special surpise."

Take her to the boat, have some soft jazz playing, cook her dinner on the grill, have fun staying the night. Cook her a great breakfast in the morning.

As breakfast concludes....(put on your life vest) and tell her the news.

Shel'' either love you after the amazing night you had and tackle you smothering you with kisses OR she'll throw you overboard. Either way the life jacket comes in handy.


Break it to her using the romance of the boat.

[tangentair]

And Now for Something Completely Different - Name the boat - fond lover

First a little history, Cavalier poets is a broad description of a school of English poets of the 17th century, who came from the classes that supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. They were differentiated by their lifestyle and religion from the Puritans on the Parliamentarian side which is why much of their poetry is light in style, and generally secular in subject.

Although I am partial to Richard Lovelace, Sir John Suckling (February 10, 1609 – June 1, 1642) was an English Cavalier poet whose best known poem may be "Ballad Upon a Wedding".
Her lips were red, and one was thin;
Compared with that was next her chin,—
Some bee had stung it newly.

and ....

Her pretty feet, like snails, did creep
A little out, and then,
As if they played at bo-peep,
Did soon draw in again",

but perhaps the most inportand advice he gives (and those who fail to heed history are doomed to repeat it) hence my recommendation of a name.

Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
Prithee, why so pale?
Will, when looking well can't move her,
Looking ill prevail?
Prithee, why so pale?

Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
Prithee, why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can't win her,
Saying nothing do't?
Prithee, why so mute?

Quit, quit, for shame, this will not move:
This cannot take her.
If of herself she cannot love,
Nothing can make her:
The devil take her!

[Lobo de Mar]

The reason you haven't seen any white Mac's on DVD or ads is because they are out sailing! And most likely in front of the "much faster blue hull" All you see is wake and white...a nice blend! Have fun...good luck!

[Catigale]

Right from the Admiral this morning (after bringing her a cup of coffee)

- Large gifts
- shiny gifts
- Name it after her

Good luck Captain!!

[Beepa Nick]

Bob, I hope that your wife is not the same lady who was at my dealership this week purchasing a new Corvette as a surprise for her hubby Bob. She said he has boat fever and she wants him to get over it with some hot wheels.

...as opposed to my bride's comment regarding my current "Corvette fever" ..."so, you're going to sell the boat...? [A 1985 with only 2800 original miles on it came to my attention this past week; what can I say?][/quote]

[rkappel]

This is the "wife" speaking - How could one not LOVE having a Mac boat? I propose (from a woman's point of view) the suggestion of a romantic evening on board, sure to win her heart for you and the new boat! We recently purchased a 98 MacX and took it out a couple weeks ago for the first time to Lake Mead, and it was wonderful! The most awesome folks are in this Mac community, so I think your wife will love it!

Good luck and a nice song to play might be "Come Sail Away" and then "How Can I Live Without You?"

Sheila & Rusty
"White Pearl"

[daydreamerbob]

Thanks for all the good advice - I am gaining confidence that this is going to work out. Here is my current plan.

First of all - we were discussing vacations and how we like to hang around the marina looking at boats and wondering why we don't have one - she said "i love to look at all the names - some are really cool" - that is good sign right?

Then she said a little later - "when is the Atlanta Boat Show? I will go with you to that" Wthis could be a bad sign as i have picked out nd bought a boat with out her.

and then finally she reminded me - "I get seasick anyway" which is not entirely true - she did get sea sick on our honey moon cruise 20 years ago on a big cruiser while under the deck. she has never been sick on a smaller boat - like a catamaran, a ferry, even a cat 27.

I am feeeling pretty good!!

I bought a little coleman kayak for the kids to fool with when we are at the lake. I think i will have it in the car and drive to the lake. I will pull it out and inflate it and tell her i bought a boat. then we will paddle "around the bend" where the mac will be anchored. Her mom and dad will be on the boat - cooking on the bbq and making the video for youtube. We will have sheskebabs? and red wine - and go for a sail. Later in the evening - after the folks are gone - perhaps i will provide some pearls.

Let me know your objections.

BTW in Boston the weather is great - i don't see what all you northerners are complaining about!

i week and counting...

[dreamer]

daydreamerbob
This is the most entertaining thread yet. Everyone is rooting for you. The kids will go crazy for the boat. My kids went nuts for it at the boat show last year. That's what convinced my wife that it was a good idea. I just took delivery yesterday, and the boys spent hours on it in the drive way. The Admiral is worried about motion sickness and heeling. I think you have to make sure you take her out on calm days at first. No rails in the water I'm sure she'll love it.

[School House Steve]

Bob,

I didn't tell my wife before I bought an new white 26 M, here are my tips and experiences.

First a couple of questions to consider.

Has she ever sailed before and does she like sailing?

How is the boat being paid for? Cash or loan? Whose money did you use and whose name is on the title or loan?

You're going to tell her parents first?

Can a blue Corvette tow a blue 26M?


Some ground work was required.

In my case, there was a boat involved before we were married, actually jointly owned, and a Mac 25 (mine) since the children were born. And some interest on her part to go sailing.
When I wanted to move up to an new 26M, I first let it be known that I was trying to sell the old boat. I left the computer logged on to the MacGregor home page as well as others, and printed all the pictures leaving them scattered around the printer. I went to boat shows and even came back saying I didn't buy a boat because the dealer wouldn't give me a good enough trade in.
In our household we have three bank accounts, hers, mine and ours. This works out very well since the joint account pays for all the day to day living expenses and each of us keep the rest of what we earn to save and or spend as we see fit. She doesn't have to get permission to buy a new dress nor do I have to ask if I can buy a new anchor, etc. The new boat was funded with my own account. Before I ordered the boat, my wife wanted to buy a new car for herself which I eagerly encouraged. (Logic was if you can buy a new car, I can buy...) I then found a dealer who would give me a $1000 discount, $1500 off if I picked the boat up at the factory and asked if he would put the base price of the boat less discounts on one invoice and do a second invoice for all of the options. I then found a local buyer for the old boat who gave me a better price than the trade in value. The owner of a local marina owed me enough money to trade for a new 50 hp Merc installed with fuel tanks. Now, if asked, I can claim the boat only "cost" $11,000.

Now for the hard part. It took me about a week to work up the courage to actually say,
"Oh, by the way I finally ordered that boat I,ve been looking at getting." I think it was after dinner as I was washing the dishes.
She said something like "You did what?"
I said "But I'm sure I told you I was planning to do this.
As well as "You know how much sailing means to me." And, "But it's my dream."
Silence.

Two years later and were still married.

Good Luck and good sailing.

[John Christian]

So Steve, is the boat named after her? or just a great David Gilmore solo?

JC