Hello Houseboaters!

Jocelyn here with Houseboat Magazine. We are looking for interesting people to profile. Send us your story!

Look at:

Pirate

Old Houseboater.

Steamboat Willie.

They may not send a story, but they sure have them.

-------------------------
Banana Tom

Couldn't print mine!

-------------------------
Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

I'm just the moderator.

-------------------------
OLD HOUSEBOATER

I'm gonna take the fifth kinda like OHB due to the statue of limitations not running its course.

-------------------------
Rick
1994 Sumerset 80'
Lake Lanier, Ga.

looks like everyone is running scared........lol

-------------------------
1991 gibson 44 executive
454's
norwich,ohio
docked on the good ole ohio river in marietta

Come on everyone! It will be fun. You could possibly be on our website, facebook, or featured in our magazine if you give lots of good info.

Too Bad Ted655 Left this Earth.
He was such a great story teller.

-------------------------
Banana Tom

So was Joel Thiem...

-------------------------
Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Take a look at my blog and see if you'd like me to help you out. Might be an interesting story about new boaters working on brining an old boat back to life.

Kingscrafthouseboat.blogspot.com

Edited: 04/25/2012 at 07:05:39 PM by jtalberts

Ted told me that he was so sorry that he sent in his story, because of the many horrible and down-right nasty complaints he got about writing it, from some of the readers.

CLARENCIO

What!! I loved his story and we are now FB friends.

Fred

-------------------------
Yesterday was the best day of my life..... I bought a Houseboat!! Check out our blog of our houseboat refurbish!! http://fredsfriendlyblogspot.blogspot.com/

With Ted655??? How do you do it?

-------------------------
Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 04/26/2012 at 10:27:21 AM by stmbtwle

Ok, you all have to fill us in as to what his story actually said.

I was kind of surprised but the story I'm thinking they are referring to is still archived here see: ted655 - Now coming down the Mississippi

-------------------------
Respect Our Outdoor Recreational Resources
Leaving Only "Footprints in the Sand"

2003 5.3 Chevy P/U
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha

Fred:
You are thinking of Joel Theim?

Clarence

I loved Ted655s story. What a guy! He knew he had only a short time left, and made the most of it, taking his new/old houseboat on his dream trip on the Mississippi. He'd been forced by 'health issues' (i.e. an aggressive cancer) to give up on his home-builder's dream, but found an affordable houseboat for sale up the river a ways, and headed home- for what he knew (but his readers, including me, did not) would be the last time. His adventures were, to me, fascinating.
He was terribly disillusioned by the publishing industry, even at this level, though. Seems some unfortunate stuff was involved, including his perceived lack of appreciation for his work.

Also, while Ted was an exceptionally fine storyteller, his stuff was perhaps not glossy enough for HM's taste. It helps to know the audience, and he may have misread the magazine's readership. Very few of HM's readers ever dream of taking their barges beyond their own lake. I'll bet, like most of the sailboat owners in my closest marina, most rarely leave the dock. So, articles on decor and resale value are maybe more appealing than one good-ol' Louisiana boy's dream trip down the River.

All that muddy water is long since under the bridge, though. Even so, there have been many wonderful stories and adventures recounted on this forum, and somebody with ambition and expertise will dig them out and ask the writer for permission to print them, if in editorial opinion, the story will be well received. It's hard enough to submit one's hard work and oddball dreams to public scrutiny, without then being subjected to nasty remarks and heartless criticism. Even if one is in good health.

Hint: When printing the work, especially extensive work, of non-staff writers and photographers, it is customary to offer appreciation, full credit, AND some compensation to the author. Somehow the glory of finding one's name in print fades fairly quickly. JMHO.

-------------------------
Amelia
Edenton, NC

Suggestion: I'm willing to bet the Pirate has some hilarious tales to tell about houseboats, buyers, tire-kickers, wishful thinkers, people whose eyes are much bigger than their financial appetites, people with no boating experience who think they'll just take that pretty 85-footer over there.... I'd pay to read those stories. I'd even be willing to be paid to write about them, for that matter.

Another story: How about The Moron Brothers and their 'houseboat'? Google it. This video is simply hilarious, heartwarming, and altogether delightful-- at least to me and a few zillion YouTube viewers. How about a follow-up? Find those great bluegrass musicians, and find out the "Rest of the Story."

-------------------------
Amelia
Edenton, NC

Edited: 04/27/2012 at 11:42:12 AM by Amelia

Amelia why are you so obsessed with $$$$. Everything in life just ain't about the dollar... Though admitting we're all needing enough to keep the wolves at bay. But this has been discussed before and I was actually hoping it was a closed subject.

I've never really reviewed the magazine myself but for a few times myself and to be honest it doesn't fit "me". I have no desire to have, own, or maintain on of the big monstrous houseboats that pays the bills for the magazine. I actually for the most part don't want much to do with the kind of yuppies that own such boats also. I'm far more comfortable drinking beer with the rednecks on the sandbar any-day than spending time with stuffy yuppies in some yacht club or exquisite waterside resort.

So I'm guessing that would leave me out of the "reader of the week club" here simply because I'm a simple man with simple attempting to live within my means and enjoying my bought and paid for boat.

-------------------------
Respect Our Outdoor Recreational Resources
Leaving Only "Footprints in the Sand"

2003 5.3 Chevy P/U
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha

OK, Bamby: YOU asked. The reason I may seem obsessed with money (or fairness and decency or reputable business practices between honorable professionals-- whatever), is that I am a freelance writer, and it's a bit of a sore subject. It's a strange world, as others who have attempted to sell their good stories have learned. When an editor calls me, he or she assigns a topic, expects me to provide professional quality copy and photos before deadline. When I work hard, deliver a very good product, and then never get paid, even at the shameful rates paid freelancers by most publications, I tend to feel a little miffed. It gets old, just as your job would get old if you got stiffed on your paycheck often enough. Let's say I put in two days researching the subject, another two interviewing experts, another three pulling together accurate information, bolstering it with interesting and informative quotes, and finally spend another day or three writing. That's what, a week and a half or more of my life gone? I often travel at my own expense, perhaps shoot aerial photos- which aren't cheap, then submit the story. Perhaps revision is needed for changing space requirements (which are based on ad sales.) More time and money down the old drain. If there's not a small check in the mail sometime in the next few months, I find that disappointing. Oddly enough, the grocery store doesn't expect me to walk out with a week's groceries for the honor and glory they feel by having me visit the store. They don't think it'd be lovely if perhaps I paid them two months after I finish eating the groceries-- that sat on a shelf in my pantry for a year. It's NOT a big deal-- unless it's YOUR work that got taken so somebody else could make more money. I do volunteer work. Lots of it. But it's clearly understood what's free, and how much, and for how long.
I don't expect people who work 'real' jobs to understand, but people who have written professionally know what I'm talking about. That said, I love it. I get to meet wonderful people, doing incredible, important, lovely, unbelievable things, I get to see some interesting places, and fly some amazing airplanes sometimes. But it's a dang good thing I don't have to buy ALL the groceries for this household!

Now back to your regularly scheduled houseboating stuff. BTW-- I hear you on the mismatch between my boating ambitions and the ones I read of in slick mags. I think that must be why this forum exists-- for the rest of us.

-------------------------
Amelia
Edenton, NC