Not a dumb question at all, and you are correct that no boat = no ghost. You need to fix the row boat in order to open up the lake area, and that's where the ghost appears.
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That ghost has dropped a diamond or two for me these past weeks, so I'm happy!
In theory yes, but can you still visit someone else's fishing area even though you don't have your own? I may be quite wrong about this, but thought I saw that someone posted being able to tap someone else's ghost and get a reward. Has anyone tried this?
By the way, I got a second decoration, the pumpkin on the stone plinth.
Great! I didn't know this was as option with the ghost. :)
Good to know there is another option. I keep missing mine no matter what time I visit. Only found it 5-6 times during this whole event. I'll try looking on other farms.
@Woozle: Do you remember when you got that pumpkin deco?
Helping one's self to someone else's ghost is not a nice option, and I have to say I would be rather unhappy with someone coming to my farm and helping him or herself to mine. Just sayin'...
It works like the toolbox. The other person does not "lose" the ghost. Ghost is visible to one particular player ONCE every 24h, timer is set from the last time player clicked on the ghost. Ghost can be found in player's or neighbor's fishing area. Ability to visit other's fishing area was added since September update (with Lobster), this is the first use of this access to let those who have not repaired their fishing boat to get their chance at winning reward.