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What I find the most alarming is that even though the stargazers had no lights on in their boat they must have heard and seen the other boat nearby and yet none of them had the common sense to at least turn on some lights or shine a flashlight at the other boat to let them know there was a boat anchored. Something still doesn't add up.

you made the right choice cliff. Just recently went through the same thing with my girlfriend. We are now living together and the lawyers sorted out the details perfectly for us.

I guess the court was trying to decide whether a crime was committed. For sure it would have been wise to proceed more slowly and scan appropriately for the conditions. But foolishness is usually not a crime. But where is the line 🤷🏻‍♂️

All concerns go out the window if she fishes 😎

You can't beat a deep and wide 16ft aluminum tiller for versitility. S.

You and Lori are both amazing and I really appreciate and enjoy any time we do have together! This time it worked out thanks to David (Beans son in law) gave us a great opportunity to get to know each other and even discuss an idea he has for a new business venture he has in mind. Thanks again everyone for your PMs , once again OFC to the rescue. 😊

We had a green 18 foot StarCraft and that boat saw a lot of different lakes in its time. It was great for big water but being an inboard it wasn't as easy to maintain as an outboard would be. I was sad when my dad sold it.. if I was you I'd look for an aluminum with a 30 to 50 hp outboard.

I have no advice, but I am very happy for you, Cliff! S.

It seems like everyone has an opinion on this, or an opinion of the people involved. Putting that all aside, the security camera video evidence is crystal clear. https://youtu.be/KaQwdSekfQg At the 1:35 mark you can see the O'Leary's boat appear, with its lights on. At 1:53, it hits the other boat. At 2:10, the other boat begins turning on its lights. Regardless of who has money and who doesn't, the one thing that cannot be disputed is that the boat Mrs O'Leary hit did not have its lights on. The court got it right, fault lies with the operator of the second boat. Everything else is just window dressing.

A boat the size of theirs would do major damage even going 10 km I was trolling out from picton one night and all but ran into a boat that was sitting with no lights , we ( the 4 of us) could not see the boat none of us drank any booze and about 15 ft from the other boat we heard them yell and still couldn’t see them we stopped and drifted into the boat but used our hands to push off to not do damage I agree with the outcome of this ruling

There's a reason why navigational lights on a boat are designed not to interfere with the vessel operators vision and yet still provide visual acuity to the where abouts of other vessels operating at night. I have more than once admonished a passenger for shining a flashlight about if I had not directly requested them to do so. In short, an unlit boat is a boating hazard.

Thanks for the replies and advice. We both agree that having a legal doccument drawn up is the best idea. We aren't even sure if we are going to do it yet but it doesn't make much sense for both of us to live alone and support two house holds. Anyway, I will be talking to a lawyer in the morning.

My dear friend, You really need to consult a family lawyer. NOT a fishing forum. ‘M’ say so as well!! You have to protect your family and your self above anyone else. You can delete this thread now that you have your answer?

As the proverbial crow flies I'm about 50 miles north west of CFB Trenton where they fly C-130 planes among others. I must be on one of their flight paths as the come over my house several times a week and sometimes unbelievably low. Just 2 weeks ago a pair of them came over so low I felt I could almost touch them. Over the years I've got some great pictures of them. I was working in the yard this morning and could hear one circling close by but couldn't see him for the trees but got my camera just in case. Sure enough he turned my way and came directly over head and again was very low. Tough to find them in a small view finder but I got a decent picture anyways. Don't know about anyone else but I love seeing this sorta stuff. Here's a couple more from other years

There are more than a few television series that feature individuals and families that are doing what you wish to do in the near future. In Alaska, The Yukon as well in the lower 48. Bing watch them and decide if you can really do what they are. A few months hunting in the bush alone won't prepare you for 12 months of talking to yourself, then eventually answering yourself. In my opinion from watching these shows it's a lot like crime. You can't learn it in a classroom or start it late in life. If you are retiring I take it you aren't a spring chicken. I see fitness is a huge part of being off grid. For those that are middle age they have a support family of more then a few kids. It appears 60 years old seems to be the age that one living off grid has to tap out if they are indeed solo. If I was 40 years younger I was nuts enough to try it, but, I would have someone to keep me warm other than my Dog. If someone tells you that you are nuts take it as a compliment. Good luck and don't let anyone tell you that you can not do it. And if you try and find you are unable to do it you did not fail, it simply is a life lesson that prepares you for the next adventure in your life.