Show so you wont want to race A boat bout or skippers sabbath by nila mackay green river utah things always look quite dif different ferent from the inside looking out and of course that sayings true when you turn the thing about this is no idle statement from ex peri ence I 1 ve found that things look different from the water than they do from on the ground no doubt you ve seen a boat race while seated on the bank E t have you ever viewed one squeezed between the steering wheel and the tank to start from the beg beaming ining you have to rise at dawn for the ponds are few and far be tween and the journey will w be long you youve ve had your motor legalized at a pretty heavy rate and you re hoping they won t check today could be you re under weight you get there fairly early and get your rig all set you get her in the water but not without getting wet the throttle sticks a little you hope there aren t too many bugs you crank her up about fifty times then decide to change the plugs by this time the sun is high and hot with honest sweat you re drenched still you re pretty patient till in the river goes your wrench well that one s gone forever and as you paddle back to shore your competition rocks your boat as he passes with a roar one test two shims and another prop later the races are ready to start I 1 should have stayed home today you say and mean it with all your heart you re hot dirty wet and disgusted that motor is way too tight you go to the drivers meeting ready to give with your gripe after the meeting is over you all stand around on the docks broken heads loose foots sanded bottoms that s the way they talk your nerves are as raw as an un cooked steak as you wait for your turn to come up some kid almost steps through th the deck of your boat that would b be just your luck at last there theres s the five minute gun for your race jacket helmet and knee pads silly grin on your f face ace now you re out and away she start ed first tune time I 1 your nerves are all gone and you feel just fine you line up to start eyes on the clock for the first time you re conscious of the crowd on the dock the hand is straight up you see the smoke from the gun you squeeze on the throttle does that baby run you lean for the turn the spray in your eyes you re hearts in your mouth and the waves a mile high two laps later you re in m second place the other guys rooster tail smack in your face hey your pride and joy is slowing down and you twiddle the dials in vain I 1 where a moment ago there was happiness now there Is is only pain you start to swear as they all go past hosing you down you come in last all of the glory and the trophy too go to someone else not you well you re homeward bound and as tired as heck you sure are disgusted but you re not licked yet next sunday bright and early you 11 be back with all the rest after you adjust the carburetor and maybe clean the jets yes things really look quite differ ent from the outside looking in so remember that my friend the next race you attend and then remember too when you hear the lookers yelp you don t have to be crazy to race a boat but brother it sure helps I 1 I 1 |