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feddback 9 June 2009 Houseboat Water Skier? This is a photo of myself skiing behind our Gibson houseboat last year. Our houseboat is called Priceless and is located at Rock Creek Marina and Resort in Perry, Kan. I always wanted to try to ski behind a houseboat to see if it could be done. So when my husband, son and friends went on a vacation, I did it. I proved it could be done and I was very proud of myself. My friends cheered me on while watching from their boat. They took the pictures too! It was a fun time. I tried it twice to make sure it wasn't a dream. It was truly a "Priceless" moment. Bobbi Francis Silver Lake, Kan. Congrats Bobbi and thanks for sending us photo-proof of your accomplishment. A "Little" Problem I write to you to first thank you for the best houseboat magazine on the market. My husband and I have been receiving your magazine since 2006 after we finally pur- chased our first houseboat. Our family has enjoyed house- boating for many years, so I feel compelled to comment on your March 2009 issue. My favorite section of the magazine is the photo contest. On page 26 there is a picture titled, "Little Girls." I agree that they are cute little girls, and who would not love those little dresses, perfect ponytails and bare feet? What is wrong with the picture? In short, these little girls are not wearing flotation devices. Our family was having a wonderful houseboating vaca- tion on Dale Hollow Lake 11 years ago when our grandson was about two years old. The family was splashing and en- joying swimming off the back of the houseboat. I had taken off my grandson Brady's flotation device on the back deck. I turned my head for just seconds and heard a splash. My husband heard my scream and saw our grandson sinking in the water. He dived into the water and saved our Brady, but even today, my husband still sees the scared eyes of Brady. I may seem very particular about safety, but the water is not forgiving, and safety must be the first priority in every- one's boating protocol. Brady is now 13 and still wears his vest on the dock when he is fishing or swimming. The rules of our boat are: Inside the living areas is a flotation device "free zone" but if you open the door and step outside this "free zone," your flotation device must be on—no exceptions. Thanks for taking the time to read my letter. My husband and I will continue to enjoy your magazine. Ann McAfee DePauw, Ind. Thank you for taking the time to send me a letter concerning one of the photos entered in our photo contest. We are all for water safety here at Houseboat. Thank you for pointing out an example where things may appear fine, but in reality the situation could be dangerous. I'm glad the potentially tragic incident with your grandson has a happy ending, and I hope your letter inspires Houseboat readers across the globe to renew their dedication to this important topic. United At Last Last night, I came across the March issue of houseboat magazine at the newsstand while browsing. I hadn't seen a copy in several years, and it brought back a lot of good memories. We bought our first houseboat in 1984, a Gibson 36 standard and we cruised around for many years on the Intercoastal Waterway until Hurricane Fran took it in 1995. I was very pleased to see that Houseboat magazine was still around and that Gibson Boats were still being made. In addition, I noticed ads for stern thrusters. I put an early version on my boat and was very satisfied with the result. I would like to pass on to Gibson that the teddy bear they sent to us shortly after we bought our boat is still riding on my bed—but in my trailer—after many thousand miles on the water and on land. Clyde Martin Via Email Thank you for taking the time to email us. I'm sorry that you lost your Gibson to Hurricane Fran, but I am glad to hear you still have fond memories of your houseboating experiences. House- boat magazine will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year so we must be doing something right. Send Letters To: blk@harrispublishing.com or to Feedback, Houseboat maga- zine, 360 B Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Letters may be edited for publication. Full names and hometowns will accompany letters unless requested otherwise. Feedback From the readers house boat magazin