I grew up in a 14' Sears with a 9.5hp Evinrude. In my early working years after college I purchased a Sea Nymph SS175 w/115 Evinrude. I fished in that boat for years and caught more fish in it than anything else I had. Replace the transom, replaced the powerhead, rewired, new livewell hoses, all sorts of little things. It was far from perfect but put me on the water with some great memories.
It's funny how so many of us say we caught more fish in our first boats than any. Maybe it's just memories, maybe it was actually true. I certainly had more time then than I have now and I certainly fished harder. But I was damn happy and proud to have that boat. Worked hard for it, kept it up, improved it, and was happy to be able to fish all the places I did with it. I'm happy today with my "new" boat, but I don't have the same fondness I do of that first boat. Being thankful for what you have makes it a whole lot better.....if there is any takeaway from this for me.