A very modest high life
Towel proceeds and Charlie’s savings fund a houseboat purchase. Their ambitions combine celebrity parties, speed and shrimping; the boat offered by the salesman falls well short of the brief.
Supporting source ↗CASE FILE · S06 E03
The Gang Buys a Boat
S06 E03Photograph not available
Mac, Charlie and Dennis buy a boat to "throw some P. Diddy-style parties," as Mac puts it, and, Charlie insists, to harvest shrimp (or barnacles). They end up with a run-down houseboat, the Drowning Sailor, and Mac and Dennis order Dee (who didn't invest in it) to clean it up. Frank, sledgehammer in hand, offers to help.
THE SHORT VERSION · SPOILERS AHEAD
INSIDE THE CASE.
The implication
Dennis presents the boat as a way to pressure women who cannot easily leave. Mac questions the threatening premise while they shop for supplies.
Supporting source ↗Renovation by destruction
The cabin gets gutted, the deck acquires a green inflatable dancer, and Charlie’s trips into the water lead to diving equipment. Every improvement seems to create another problem.
Supporting source ↗A short-lived investment
Mac and Dennis dress for the yacht-club crowd while Frank, Charlie and Dee spend the evening aboard their own boat. The night ends with the houseboat ablaze.
Supporting source ↗THE EVIDENCE
THINGS IN THIS EPISODE.
Characters
Charlie Kelly182 other recorded episodes
Charlie clings to the dock after diving into the water; the search for keys becomes a hunt for river finds.Source ↗
Dee Reynolds181 other recorded episodes
Dee tries out her boat dance inside the cabin before the renovation gets underway.Source ↗
Dennis Reynolds178 other recorded episodes
Dennis shops for boat supplies with Mac while outlining the kind of parties he intends to host.Source ↗
Frank Reynolds173 other recorded episodes
Frank attacks the cabin fittings during the attempt to gut and redecorate the boat.Source ↗
The Handless Guy is one of the party's boaters; Dennis and Mac's question about how he lost his hand receives the answer, 'Diabetes.'Source ↗
Mac182 other recorded episodes
Mac returns to the boat with Dennis carrying new diving equipment for Charlie.Source ↗
Ray, the boat-party host, stops Mac and Dennis as they leave and promises that the night is only getting started.Source ↗
Objects
Dick Towel1 other recorded episode
Dennis credits the towel venture with supplying money for the boat, connecting this scheme to Kitten Mittens.Source ↗
Grill2 other recorded episodes
Frank cooks on a small grill on deck while Dee dances beside the inflatable tube man.Source ↗
A bright green inflatable tube man dances on the boat alongside Dee.Source ↗
Lost keys1 other recorded episode
Frank’s overhand throw sends the boat keys into the water, leaving Charlie to retrieve them.Source ↗
Charlie wears an air tank for his nighttime search beneath the boat.Source ↗
The gang inspects the weathered houseboat offered by the salesman and decides to buy it.Source ↗
Schemes
The cabin’s old fittings are ripped apart as the gang attempts a makeover.Source ↗
Running jokes
Dancing15 other recorded episodes
Dee dances on the boat, taking inspiration from the flailing green tube man.Source ↗
The implication2 other recorded episodes
In the boat-supply store, Dennis explains his coercive premise for bringing women aboard; Mac is disturbed by it.Source ↗
Costumes
Nautical outfits4 other recorded episodes
Mac wears a blazer over a striped shirt; Dennis wears a sweater draped over his shoulders at the yacht club.Source ↗
FOLLOW THE THREAD
CONNECTED EPISODES.
S11 E09 Connected through The implication, Nautical outfits, Frank Reynolds and 4 more.
S05 E08 Connected through Dick Towel, Frank Reynolds, Dennis Reynolds and 3 more.
S04 E08 
Connected through Lost keys, Dennis Reynolds, Dee Reynolds and 2 more.
S05 E02 
Connected through Grill, Fires, Frank Reynolds and 4 more.
SOURCES & NOTES.
- Episode frame · visual inspection of S06E03 ↗
- Springfield! Springfield! · episode dialogue ↗
- TVmaze · S06E03 guest cast ↗
Tags document researched occurrences, not every appearance. Read the research notes and attribution.