My boat was launched in the past week and I was able to spend my day off doing all those spring commissioning chores required, like boom installation, water tank flushing, dodger installation, cleaning etc. I noticed that regardless of working or not just being on a floating boat on a decent day provides a feeling of euphoria. I was wondering if any of you have a background in psychology and can discuss the physiological effects. Does the floating motion create endorphins or something? It just feels great to be back in the water!!! Best regards, Dave
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
TOM MANALILI
Your last statement says it all
Men and women have always been drawn to the sea, unlike the land, with few changes in a millinium, the sea is like unto the mind of god, some times furious and other, tranquil, but most of all ever changing, and deserves respect. On a sail boat, your ears become aware of it's sounds, movement and power, away from the visual connection of land and it's mounds of mortor, we're surounded by it's awsome beauty, and the stress we've accumulated on land flows ot of us leaving only peace. It; like resting on the bussom of the Lord, absorbing His loveand His peace. Unfortunatly it doesn't last, the sail was too short, and we must again enter the realm of reality, the rat race, but soon we'll be out there again, with the wind and sea spray, against our face,and the whine of the wind and waves splashing against the hull,and solitude abide.
Men and women have always been drawn to the sea, unlike the land, with few changes in a millinium, the sea is like unto the mind of god, some times furious and other, tranquil, but most of all ever changing, and deserves respect. On a sail boat, your ears become aware of it's sounds, movement and power, away from the visual connection of land and it's mounds of mortor, we're surounded by it's awsome beauty, and the stress we've accumulated on land flows ot of us leaving only peace. It; like resting on the bussom of the Lord, absorbing His loveand His peace. Unfortunatly it doesn't last, the sail was too short, and we must again enter the realm of reality, the rat race, but soon we'll be out there again, with the wind and sea spray, against our face,and the whine of the wind and waves splashing against the hull,and solitude abide.
J
Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Euphoria or adiction?
Dave - My boat is not yet even launched yet (two more weeks of waiting) but just being aboard readying her for the season is enough to drop all the rest of the stresses in my life. For me its a combination of the freedom the boat represents and the ongoing lesson in humility sailing is. In the first instance, just knowing that I could cut my lines and take off is enough to make it unnecessary. Three weeks and I could be sitting on 17 mile beach on Provo. The boat is provisioned and fueled from the day I launch her, and knowing that makes it possible for me to to return to landbound stressors at the end of the day. Maybe even more important in my life is the fact that you can't just tell a sailboat what to do. You must work with it instead of directing it, or you're not going anywhere. I am a driven person, a second year law student, medic, I work 30 hours a week in an awful retail environment, teach the first year law students, do contract work on other people's boats, and am generally an always moving control freak. Sailing is one place where that doesn't fly. Its strong medicine. Don't know about psychology, but I share your reactions. Doesn't it make you sad for the people who just don't get it? Justin - O'day Owners' Web, student, contractor, retail clerk, instructor, medic, sailor
Dave - My boat is not yet even launched yet (two more weeks of waiting) but just being aboard readying her for the season is enough to drop all the rest of the stresses in my life. For me its a combination of the freedom the boat represents and the ongoing lesson in humility sailing is. In the first instance, just knowing that I could cut my lines and take off is enough to make it unnecessary. Three weeks and I could be sitting on 17 mile beach on Provo. The boat is provisioned and fueled from the day I launch her, and knowing that makes it possible for me to to return to landbound stressors at the end of the day. Maybe even more important in my life is the fact that you can't just tell a sailboat what to do. You must work with it instead of directing it, or you're not going anywhere. I am a driven person, a second year law student, medic, I work 30 hours a week in an awful retail environment, teach the first year law students, do contract work on other people's boats, and am generally an always moving control freak. Sailing is one place where that doesn't fly. Its strong medicine. Don't know about psychology, but I share your reactions. Doesn't it make you sad for the people who just don't get it? Justin - O'day Owners' Web, student, contractor, retail clerk, instructor, medic, sailor
sailing
Years ago , actress Florence Henderson went through a long series of severe mental depression , this went on for a very long time according to her, she finally moved to a boat on the water and gradually got better, her experts had two theories, one being man originally came out of the water, this is not a good topic for easter, the other theory had to do with an abundance, of either negative or positive ions in the air near large bodies of water, the pressence of Ions giving one a sense of well being, It works for us, so who cares, have a great day sailing or just working on boat, Mike
Years ago , actress Florence Henderson went through a long series of severe mental depression , this went on for a very long time according to her, she finally moved to a boat on the water and gradually got better, her experts had two theories, one being man originally came out of the water, this is not a good topic for easter, the other theory had to do with an abundance, of either negative or positive ions in the air near large bodies of water, the pressence of Ions giving one a sense of well being, It works for us, so who cares, have a great day sailing or just working on boat, Mike
R
Rob Rich
Know what you mean
My pops and I used to fly his single engine Cessna quite a bit, probably once or twice a week. Sometimes we would just practice landings, doing 20 or so in an afternoon. On the way home, we rarely spoke. We'd talk about it afterward, but the ride home in his pontiac was "afterglow" time. He attributed it to the fact that flying demanded 100 percent of your concentration, so you literally forgot all other concerns, such as business, family, taxes, bills, etc... Once you got back on the ground, you mind had been effectively "cleared" of all concerns for the past couple of hours, so it was like getting a neural "cold boot." Of course, no real psychology here, just intuition. I get the same feeling coming home from the marina after a particulary windy day of sailing, when you have to concentrate hard. It's a wonderful buzz... Rob
My pops and I used to fly his single engine Cessna quite a bit, probably once or twice a week. Sometimes we would just practice landings, doing 20 or so in an afternoon. On the way home, we rarely spoke. We'd talk about it afterward, but the ride home in his pontiac was "afterglow" time. He attributed it to the fact that flying demanded 100 percent of your concentration, so you literally forgot all other concerns, such as business, family, taxes, bills, etc... Once you got back on the ground, you mind had been effectively "cleared" of all concerns for the past couple of hours, so it was like getting a neural "cold boot." Of course, no real psychology here, just intuition. I get the same feeling coming home from the marina after a particulary windy day of sailing, when you have to concentrate hard. It's a wonderful buzz... Rob
L
LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Doesn't take a PhD
It's pretty much common sense, if you think about it. I'm sure a shrink could attach all sorts of mother-loving, father-hating issues to it but the reality is, boat are our treeforts. You get away from "life's" crap and are doing exactly to the letter what YOU want to do. If you don't feel like varnishing...no biggie, it'll wait till next weekend. No wind? So lay around the cockpit grilling up weenies (can you say Freud?) and sipping suds. Nobody's forcing you to do it which makes it all that much sweeter in a world where we're forced to do stuff we don't want to do every single day. LaDonna
It's pretty much common sense, if you think about it. I'm sure a shrink could attach all sorts of mother-loving, father-hating issues to it but the reality is, boat are our treeforts. You get away from "life's" crap and are doing exactly to the letter what YOU want to do. If you don't feel like varnishing...no biggie, it'll wait till next weekend. No wind? So lay around the cockpit grilling up weenies (can you say Freud?) and sipping suds. Nobody's forcing you to do it which makes it all that much sweeter in a world where we're forced to do stuff we don't want to do every single day. LaDonna
J
Jim McCue
A parenthetical existence
I think a boat on the water is a little insulation from the rest of the world. Operating the boat in changing conditions is an art as much as a science. It costs me a bundle to simply float it given the little time I seem to have to use it. For a number of years it was hard to keep or justify.... But I'd go nuts if I didn't have this parenthetical existence where I can go out, sail solo mio all day, return to port and drive 80 miles home with are the "crinkles" of daily life blown out of my psyche. J. McCue
I think a boat on the water is a little insulation from the rest of the world. Operating the boat in changing conditions is an art as much as a science. It costs me a bundle to simply float it given the little time I seem to have to use it. For a number of years it was hard to keep or justify.... But I'd go nuts if I didn't have this parenthetical existence where I can go out, sail solo mio all day, return to port and drive 80 miles home with are the "crinkles" of daily life blown out of my psyche. J. McCue
M
M. Gray
A boat represents the limitless possibilities
of life. My Dad is 86 and still has his boat and doesn't plan on getting rid of it ever! To him it represents adventure, dreams both real and imagined. The boat can take us anywhere we wish, it is the vehicle of both real and imaginary voyages. I bought a boat 1800 miles from where I live and only visit it a few times a year. Many would thing that it is a waste of money. For me just knowing that it is there and is mine is worth every dime.
of life. My Dad is 86 and still has his boat and doesn't plan on getting rid of it ever! To him it represents adventure, dreams both real and imagined. The boat can take us anywhere we wish, it is the vehicle of both real and imaginary voyages. I bought a boat 1800 miles from where I live and only visit it a few times a year. Many would thing that it is a waste of money. For me just knowing that it is there and is mine is worth every dime.
A
Alan
Everyone below has the right theory...
as to the psychology of sailing. Just being on the water is therapy enough. In the summer I go straight to our slip from work and meet my wife and 3 children. There we have dinner( take out or prepared food from home) and we enjoy a relaxing dinner watching the boats come and go. The children (9,7,3) occupy themselves at our slip while we adults unwind from the day. At approx. 7:30 the ice cream truck comes and the kids run for ice cream( a Norman Rockwell scene). Quite frankly it doesn't get any better.
as to the psychology of sailing. Just being on the water is therapy enough. In the summer I go straight to our slip from work and meet my wife and 3 children. There we have dinner( take out or prepared food from home) and we enjoy a relaxing dinner watching the boats come and go. The children (9,7,3) occupy themselves at our slip while we adults unwind from the day. At approx. 7:30 the ice cream truck comes and the kids run for ice cream( a Norman Rockwell scene). Quite frankly it doesn't get any better.
D
Dave
recreation
David, I read somewhere that the act of "play" is essential to us. Play was defined as doing something that we can lose ourselves in and do it simply because we enjoy it. I used to fly a lot and it was like Rob said, total absorption, leaving every care of the world somewhere else. I've also done it on a bicycle - a hard 25 mile ride will cleanse your mind wonderfully. The source I read also said that the word recreation actually has two parts: re - creation. Literally re-creating one's self. Either way, enjoy. Dave...
David, I read somewhere that the act of "play" is essential to us. Play was defined as doing something that we can lose ourselves in and do it simply because we enjoy it. I used to fly a lot and it was like Rob said, total absorption, leaving every care of the world somewhere else. I've also done it on a bicycle - a hard 25 mile ride will cleanse your mind wonderfully. The source I read also said that the word recreation actually has two parts: re - creation. Literally re-creating one's self. Either way, enjoy. Dave...
L
Larry
My wife thought $5000 for a "tree-house" was rediculous when I bought my O'Day sailboat this winter. But it represents more than that to me. Last summer we sailed a day-sailer and my wife and I both enjoyed moving "with" the clouds , --as the wind moved us along so effortlessly. Even though the wind expels no "effort", we had to harness the energy it gave out. We had to direct our vessel using only the forces available to us. One lapse of attention on our part, and the sails were luffing or we were headed into the rocks. A positive mental energy was being exercised by our two man crew. We weren't just stepping on the "gas pedal" or turning the steering wheel. So.. the inherent beauty of sailing with the clouds, and the positive mental energy of making a vessel "work" ....makes sailing God's gift to man.
L
Larry
Sailing with positive mental energy
My wife thought $5000 for a "tree-house" was rediculous when I bought my O'Day sailboat this winter. But it represents more than that to me. Last summer we sailed a day-sailer and my wife and I both enjoyed moving "with" the clouds , --as the wind moved us along so effortlessly. Even though the wind expels no "effort", we had to harness the energy it gave out. We had to direct our vessel using only the forces available to us. One lapse of attention on our part, and the sails were luffing or we were headed into the rocks. A positive mental energy was being exercised by our two man crew. We weren't just stepping on the "gas pedal" or turning the steering wheel. So.. the inherent beauty of sailing with the clouds, and the positive mental energy of making a vessel "work" ....makes sailing God's gift to man.
My wife thought $5000 for a "tree-house" was rediculous when I bought my O'Day sailboat this winter. But it represents more than that to me. Last summer we sailed a day-sailer and my wife and I both enjoyed moving "with" the clouds , --as the wind moved us along so effortlessly. Even though the wind expels no "effort", we had to harness the energy it gave out. We had to direct our vessel using only the forces available to us. One lapse of attention on our part, and the sails were luffing or we were headed into the rocks. A positive mental energy was being exercised by our two man crew. We weren't just stepping on the "gas pedal" or turning the steering wheel. So.. the inherent beauty of sailing with the clouds, and the positive mental energy of making a vessel "work" ....makes sailing God's gift to man.
J
john
psyco sailing
I have always loved being around the water, especially the ocean. I had a rowboat, and an outboard, and it was terrific being afloat, but the destination always seemed to be what mattered most. Now I have an O'day 22, and destination is not usually determined 'till I see the weather report and get a general idea of which way the wind will blow. I have a whole different concept of what the wind is.I would not have taken my motorboat out in december, but I leave the sailboat in untill the ice threatens, and feel a loss when I know it is no longer waiting for me down there.Strong winds and big waves? Just part of the challenge.The input required is what makes it such a rewarding experience!
I have always loved being around the water, especially the ocean. I had a rowboat, and an outboard, and it was terrific being afloat, but the destination always seemed to be what mattered most. Now I have an O'day 22, and destination is not usually determined 'till I see the weather report and get a general idea of which way the wind will blow. I have a whole different concept of what the wind is.I would not have taken my motorboat out in december, but I leave the sailboat in untill the ice threatens, and feel a loss when I know it is no longer waiting for me down there.Strong winds and big waves? Just part of the challenge.The input required is what makes it such a rewarding experience!
M
Mike Casucci
The Good Life
Its the beauty and symmetry of the wind and waves. It has a therapeutic effect which, when taken together with LaDonna's observations about our determining our own activity, even for a day, makes you feel comfortable and excited at the same time.
Its the beauty and symmetry of the wind and waves. It has a therapeutic effect which, when taken together with LaDonna's observations about our determining our own activity, even for a day, makes you feel comfortable and excited at the same time.
J
John J.
The Good Life, cont.
In Atlanta the schools all have spring break the first full week in April. So my wife and I took the week off and wanted to spend most of it on Lake Lanier. Well, the 4 year drought decided this would be a good week to end. By Thursday we were disappointed at not having spent much time on the boat. So we went to the lake anyway, cold, damp, and generally miserable. What a perfect day. Moral of the story: A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day at the office.
In Atlanta the schools all have spring break the first full week in April. So my wife and I took the week off and wanted to spend most of it on Lake Lanier. Well, the 4 year drought decided this would be a good week to end. By Thursday we were disappointed at not having spent much time on the boat. So we went to the lake anyway, cold, damp, and generally miserable. What a perfect day. Moral of the story: A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day at the office.
P
Peter Clancy
Another Perspective!
I believe we have an innate need to feel in control of our environment. This is not easily achieved in a hectic, workaday world. But when we are out sailing our own boats we do regain some sense of mastery and over the elements.
I believe we have an innate need to feel in control of our environment. This is not easily achieved in a hectic, workaday world. But when we are out sailing our own boats we do regain some sense of mastery and over the elements.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.