That trip looks like a good deal for both of you...nice!
If I might relate my own, 'mom in a boat, story?
About 15 years back, took mom out to lunch at a lakeside restaurant, Bass Lake CA, w stunning views of the high Sierra outside of nearby Yosemite NP. So 'we decided' after lunch to rent a canoe, rowboat, paddle boat...she was amenable and interested...no time like the present.
Only after all the paperwork was done, boat pulled down to water's edge, life jackets on, belongs stowed in car, new sunglass straps, hats and sunblock against the intense sun...rowing for less than 5 minutes... a spiffy motorized pontoon boat goes by sedately, the passengers all looking quite content...comfy and self-satisfied.
My mom turns to me and says with some envy but no malice, 'why didn't your rent one of those?!'... we could have zipped around some!"
(It's funnier now than it was then, but I do believe it became a favorite story of my fathers...)
Sadly, we never did get back on the water but found a decent restaurant we enjoyed several more times that had great views, decent food and bald eagles to watch.