I had a thought while I was reading a boating magazine on the subway. Maybe one of the reasons I am so taken by boating is that I spend so much of my life in steel tubes, underground, or indoors with no view of the sun, sky, or water. Not unlike a prisoner. And I thought that is not a bad topic for a post on Boater Ed – “Why do you like boating"?
I have only been boating for a few years. I have always loved the water, but never thought seriously about getting a boat for the usual reasons, time, money, knowledge, etc. But my wife grew up in a boating family, and I saw some of that lifestyle while we were dating years ago. Every summer we would visit my in-laws at their cabin near a lake in the Adirondacks, and I always thought how great it would be to have a boat on it. In the end I decided to take matters into my own hands and get a boat myself. As I conducted my research it became clear that getting a boat for a once a year trip to a lake 6 hours away was not practical. Then I realized that I actually live on any island myself, only 10 minutes from the water. My wife tried to talk me out of it, explaining that I did not understand the level of commitment required, the costs, etc. But I said I felt strongly that it was something I wanted to try, it was something we could share as a family, and we were at a point in our lives where we could afford to do it. I felt if it did not work for us, it would cost some money for the experiment but we could move on. I did not feel it was something I could just put off until I retire, first because who knows if/when that will be and second because getting around a boat does require some physical ability. I did not want to wait too long.
Unfortunately no one in my immediate circle of friends and family were current boaters, but through them I was able to make contacts and get taken out. Their views on boating were mixed. Some absolutely loved it and it was central to their lives. Others tried it and were dissatisfied. Typically these people had limited training, owned older boats with persistent mechanical issues and/or boats that did not meet the needs of the entire family. I did my research with my family and eventually settled on a new 27' express. I did not feel I had the knowledge and expertise to own a used boat, and I wanted a good dealership to back me up. And I succeeded. I hired a professional Captain for lessons, joined a club, and began to learn the skills required to have fun and be safe on the water. Despite all my preparations and training, we have had our share of misadventures. The time we were following a group of boaters in larger boats to an air show, and I hit the wake of the boat in front of me the wrong way during a sharp turn. I felt like Maverick in Top Gun when he runs into the jet wash of the plane in front of him. Fortunately we recovered, but the boat heeled over severely. Or the time I was slowly motoring towards another boater to say goodbye and did not correctly predict the вЂscoot' and avoided a collision only by throwing it into reverse and gunning it. Of the time I got caught up on debris dumped off a bulkhead and overheated my engine trying to get unstuck. Or the time I ran over a crab trap and got the line caught in my propellers. You get the idea.
But even through these issues, it opened up a whole new world for us. I love waking up on the water and seeing the sunrise. Or walking on the beach at dawn. Or drinking with friends at a nice marina, no house to take care of, no job to deal with. Everything we need contained on our little floating home. Watching my kids play in the water, finding marine life, being outside away from video games and tv and all that is wrong with the world.
The downside is it is expensive. Ruinously expensive. But compared to just living your life in a steel tube, underground, with no daylight, it really isn't that expensive at all. And as they say on Star Trek - the adventure has just begun.
What's your answer?
Vic
I have only been boating for a few years. I have always loved the water, but never thought seriously about getting a boat for the usual reasons, time, money, knowledge, etc. But my wife grew up in a boating family, and I saw some of that lifestyle while we were dating years ago. Every summer we would visit my in-laws at their cabin near a lake in the Adirondacks, and I always thought how great it would be to have a boat on it. In the end I decided to take matters into my own hands and get a boat myself. As I conducted my research it became clear that getting a boat for a once a year trip to a lake 6 hours away was not practical. Then I realized that I actually live on any island myself, only 10 minutes from the water. My wife tried to talk me out of it, explaining that I did not understand the level of commitment required, the costs, etc. But I said I felt strongly that it was something I wanted to try, it was something we could share as a family, and we were at a point in our lives where we could afford to do it. I felt if it did not work for us, it would cost some money for the experiment but we could move on. I did not feel it was something I could just put off until I retire, first because who knows if/when that will be and second because getting around a boat does require some physical ability. I did not want to wait too long.
Unfortunately no one in my immediate circle of friends and family were current boaters, but through them I was able to make contacts and get taken out. Their views on boating were mixed. Some absolutely loved it and it was central to their lives. Others tried it and were dissatisfied. Typically these people had limited training, owned older boats with persistent mechanical issues and/or boats that did not meet the needs of the entire family. I did my research with my family and eventually settled on a new 27' express. I did not feel I had the knowledge and expertise to own a used boat, and I wanted a good dealership to back me up. And I succeeded. I hired a professional Captain for lessons, joined a club, and began to learn the skills required to have fun and be safe on the water. Despite all my preparations and training, we have had our share of misadventures. The time we were following a group of boaters in larger boats to an air show, and I hit the wake of the boat in front of me the wrong way during a sharp turn. I felt like Maverick in Top Gun when he runs into the jet wash of the plane in front of him. Fortunately we recovered, but the boat heeled over severely. Or the time I was slowly motoring towards another boater to say goodbye and did not correctly predict the вЂscoot' and avoided a collision only by throwing it into reverse and gunning it. Of the time I got caught up on debris dumped off a bulkhead and overheated my engine trying to get unstuck. Or the time I ran over a crab trap and got the line caught in my propellers. You get the idea.
But even through these issues, it opened up a whole new world for us. I love waking up on the water and seeing the sunrise. Or walking on the beach at dawn. Or drinking with friends at a nice marina, no house to take care of, no job to deal with. Everything we need contained on our little floating home. Watching my kids play in the water, finding marine life, being outside away from video games and tv and all that is wrong with the world.
The downside is it is expensive. Ruinously expensive. But compared to just living your life in a steel tube, underground, with no daylight, it really isn't that expensive at all. And as they say on Star Trek - the adventure has just begun.
What's your answer?
Vic
