Walk around a decent sized marina and what do you see? Boats of every size, shape, configuration, and model. Small open cockpit day sailors, one design racers, boats on trailers, coastal cruisers, racer/cruisers, center cockpit cutters, huge yawls and schooners, and so on. Do these boats every move? Sometimes. But not often enough for most of us. Sailboats offer us a means to break the umbilical cord with land and experience another dimension. Some sailors only race; others only cruise. Some do both. Some sailors are blue water veterans and others never lose sight of land. Do you yearn for an ocean passage? Do you ever charter in order to try out a different kind or size boat in a different location? There is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to the use of your boat. Whatever works, works. How do you use your boat? Tell us about your boating experience and then take the Quick Quiz on the home page. (Quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Been sailing since I was about 14
started on windsurfers and dinghies, Now we own a 34 ft and sail out of Sidney BC. We cruise as much as we can and love every minute of it! David
started on windsurfers and dinghies, Now we own a 34 ft and sail out of Sidney BC. We cruise as much as we can and love every minute of it! David
What floats your boat
I'm waiting for my son to graduate high school, then I'm selling everything and going cruising forever. My ideal boat is a 35'-40' cat; home, office, sailboat. I had a very wealthy employer (he owns two yachts. He keeps one in the Swedish Archipelago and one sails around the world. He catches up with it when time allows.) That's how I got the sailing bug. Obviously, my goals are slightly more modest than his fully crewed 100' mono. I left the firm in 1999 and have been chartering once or twice a year since. Production monos in the 40'range suit me fine, but I'd rather get a cat as a liveaboard.
I'm waiting for my son to graduate high school, then I'm selling everything and going cruising forever. My ideal boat is a 35'-40' cat; home, office, sailboat. I had a very wealthy employer (he owns two yachts. He keeps one in the Swedish Archipelago and one sails around the world. He catches up with it when time allows.) That's how I got the sailing bug. Obviously, my goals are slightly more modest than his fully crewed 100' mono. I left the firm in 1999 and have been chartering once or twice a year since. Production monos in the 40'range suit me fine, but I'd rather get a cat as a liveaboard.
Not a racer
I guess one could best say that my boat functions as my summer home. Although only 5 minutes from my house, it's where I spend most of my free time during the season. Forbidden by my wife to single-hand, I wait for friends and relatives to arrive to day-sail and cruise. My boat is my "reason for the rat-race" and reminds me of why I spent 40 years getting up and going to work! Bill on STARGAZER
I guess one could best say that my boat functions as my summer home. Although only 5 minutes from my house, it's where I spend most of my free time during the season. Forbidden by my wife to single-hand, I wait for friends and relatives to arrive to day-sail and cruise. My boat is my "reason for the rat-race" and reminds me of why I spent 40 years getting up and going to work! Bill on STARGAZER
My little piece of heaven
I have a 26.5 that is a relatively fast, close pointing day sailer that I have equipped to be a "pocket cruiser." I have spent only 2 days on her the past two years that I have not sailed. (Excluding planned work days) I think the time a boat is sailed is inversely proportional to the boats length.
I have a 26.5 that is a relatively fast, close pointing day sailer that I have equipped to be a "pocket cruiser." I have spent only 2 days on her the past two years that I have not sailed. (Excluding planned work days) I think the time a boat is sailed is inversely proportional to the boats length.
Cruiser wannabe
I am waiting for the day when I can cast off to begin my circumnavigation. I am planning for it to take 3-5 years. Just a few more years to go and I will have enought experience with my 466 and my daughter will be out of college. Then it's, "Hello horizon" Till then I try to sail a couple of evenings each week and as much of every weekend as I can.
I am waiting for the day when I can cast off to begin my circumnavigation. I am planning for it to take 3-5 years. Just a few more years to go and I will have enought experience with my 466 and my daughter will be out of college. Then it's, "Hello horizon" Till then I try to sail a couple of evenings each week and as much of every weekend as I can.
Not interested in racing
I own a well equipped S2 8.5. Not the least bit interested in racing, but I probably sail more than most. The boat in on a canal behind the house, so I can just step out the door and onto my boat. In the last 18 months, I have cruised from Brownsville to Destin, in various stages. Mostly coastal cruising, but planning on making Belize before this winter gets here.
I own a well equipped S2 8.5. Not the least bit interested in racing, but I probably sail more than most. The boat in on a canal behind the house, so I can just step out the door and onto my boat. In the last 18 months, I have cruised from Brownsville to Destin, in various stages. Mostly coastal cruising, but planning on making Belize before this winter gets here.
Gave up...
... PHRF racing years ago...and started enjoying my boat. No more stressing about who got to the line first. No more worrying about the cost of go-fast gear. Traffic jams are for cars, not boats. I REALLY love sailing now.
... PHRF racing years ago...and started enjoying my boat. No more stressing about who got to the line first. No more worrying about the cost of go-fast gear. Traffic jams are for cars, not boats. I REALLY love sailing now.
Not for me.
If people want to race, that's fine with me. I don't. Sailing is for relaxing and getting away from the tensions of the world. Why create more of them by racing your boat? It's nuts.
If people want to race, that's fine with me. I don't. Sailing is for relaxing and getting away from the tensions of the world. Why create more of them by racing your boat? It's nuts.
doesnt take much
all it takes is a nice day,my grill,cooler,radio and of course my family.I have a 74 C22 and i can truly say its all about relaxing and the company.If i wanna go fast ill get a power boat. I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND SAFE SUMMER .where ever the wind takes you.
all it takes is a nice day,my grill,cooler,radio and of course my family.I have a 74 C22 and i can truly say its all about relaxing and the company.If i wanna go fast ill get a power boat. I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND SAFE SUMMER .where ever the wind takes you.
Cruising Soon!
My wife and I raced the Hobie Fleet as a young man. Triangle then beach? Then for years we went Hobie cruising on the Indian River out of Fort Pierce (overnights on the spoil islands). I've been refitting a 36' cat for the last four years and can't wait to go Keys Cat Cruising.
My wife and I raced the Hobie Fleet as a young man. Triangle then beach? Then for years we went Hobie cruising on the Indian River out of Fort Pierce (overnights on the spoil islands). I've been refitting a 36' cat for the last four years and can't wait to go Keys Cat Cruising.
Raced for years
on Flying Scots. Actually got tired of last place because my father-in-law owned the boat and had a thing with anti-fouling paint. We also enjoyed the "It's too windy to sail" thing.We then took "big boat" ASA course. We fell in love with cruising. Eventually, maybe we will sail the blue, but with 2 kids in college, not in the next 3 years. We have a brand new 05 Hunter 36 and love it. Now we both just slide back to work and look forward to the next Friday when off we go. Nothing like a quite anchorage, bottle of wine and a perfect steak to melt off the week's stress.
on Flying Scots. Actually got tired of last place because my father-in-law owned the boat and had a thing with anti-fouling paint. We also enjoyed the "It's too windy to sail" thing.We then took "big boat" ASA course. We fell in love with cruising. Eventually, maybe we will sail the blue, but with 2 kids in college, not in the next 3 years. We have a brand new 05 Hunter 36 and love it. Now we both just slide back to work and look forward to the next Friday when off we go. Nothing like a quite anchorage, bottle of wine and a perfect steak to melt off the week's stress.
Used in good cause
We've been sailing constantly for the last 6 years, getting out for a weekend once a month and filling in between with some short daysails or some fun dinghy sailing. We got involved in sea scouting 6yrs ago and have had the opportunity to sail, not only our ODay 25, but also a Bristol 27, Hunter 29, Hunter 30, Pacemaker 29, Helson 20, Irwin 54, Cape Dory Typhoon, Flying Jr's, 420's and a Mirror Dinghy! We've sailed all over the Chesapeake Bay, and have sailed to the Delaware Bay, circumnavigating DelMarVa, been to Ocean City, MD, Cape May, NYC, LI Sound, New England Coast, Halifax, NS, Cape Cod and the Islands, and the crew's favorite place, the Exumas (to go snorkeling). If you love sailing or boating, I have to advise that you get involved in Sea Scouting; it will give you an opportunity to share what you love, influence someone's life and visit some great sailing locations aboard boats that you may not have otherwise gotten a chance to sail!
We've been sailing constantly for the last 6 years, getting out for a weekend once a month and filling in between with some short daysails or some fun dinghy sailing. We got involved in sea scouting 6yrs ago and have had the opportunity to sail, not only our ODay 25, but also a Bristol 27, Hunter 29, Hunter 30, Pacemaker 29, Helson 20, Irwin 54, Cape Dory Typhoon, Flying Jr's, 420's and a Mirror Dinghy! We've sailed all over the Chesapeake Bay, and have sailed to the Delaware Bay, circumnavigating DelMarVa, been to Ocean City, MD, Cape May, NYC, LI Sound, New England Coast, Halifax, NS, Cape Cod and the Islands, and the crew's favorite place, the Exumas (to go snorkeling). If you love sailing or boating, I have to advise that you get involved in Sea Scouting; it will give you an opportunity to share what you love, influence someone's life and visit some great sailing locations aboard boats that you may not have otherwise gotten a chance to sail!
sail as much as time and mate's will allows
Mac 26 we day sail some weekends. We have had it for three years. I have slept on it to test it (and myself) out. Have been trailering but went for the slip this year. If my wife/first mate or the kids get into it, we may do some cruising. Otherwise, it's probably onto the next attempted family hobby idea. Hopefully yours, -r
Mac 26 we day sail some weekends. We have had it for three years. I have slept on it to test it (and myself) out. Have been trailering but went for the slip this year. If my wife/first mate or the kids get into it, we may do some cruising. Otherwise, it's probably onto the next attempted family hobby idea. Hopefully yours, -r
Sea Scouting is a great Idea
I'd like to get involved. I have owned a 30' Hunter sloop for 25 years, had it refitted and am available on a scheduled basis. Please let me know who to contact in my area. I am ex Navy, was a commercial pilot and was an asst. scoutmaster in the 70's. Please let me know at ggrizzard@att.net
I'd like to get involved. I have owned a 30' Hunter sloop for 25 years, had it refitted and am available on a scheduled basis. Please let me know who to contact in my area. I am ex Navy, was a commercial pilot and was an asst. scoutmaster in the 70's. Please let me know at ggrizzard@att.net
Started out...
...cruising on a C&C 25 MkI. Talk about cramped life at an angle. Did some racing with it. We wanted to do more cruising and still race, so we bought an O'day 272LE. Much roomier and had a couple of creature comforts. A fast boat, to be sure, but with the wing keel it sailed sideways just as well as it sailed forward. My First Mate wanted an even BIGGER boat, so we bought a Nonsuch 30 Classic. It has all the ammenities and goes like a scalded cat (pun intended). Now we enjoy extended cruising AND racing. Cheers, Bob NS30C #77 Lazybones
...cruising on a C&C 25 MkI. Talk about cramped life at an angle. Did some racing with it. We wanted to do more cruising and still race, so we bought an O'day 272LE. Much roomier and had a couple of creature comforts. A fast boat, to be sure, but with the wing keel it sailed sideways just as well as it sailed forward. My First Mate wanted an even BIGGER boat, so we bought a Nonsuch 30 Classic. It has all the ammenities and goes like a scalded cat (pun intended). Now we enjoy extended cruising AND racing. Cheers, Bob NS30C #77 Lazybones
"Steal a Day
Started with an old Sunfish clone when I was in college. No formal training, just a lot of reading got me where I needed to go. After graduation, life "got in the way" a bit, but last spring I purchased an O'Day Daysailer 3 and managed to get out on a somewhat regualar basis. Though I don't race, I'm hoping have time to try it when the kids are a little older. For me, going fast IS relaxing. It forces me to concentrate entirely on the boat to keep it dry-side-up. I can't think about any of the troubles that are bothering me when I'm focused like that.
Started with an old Sunfish clone when I was in college. No formal training, just a lot of reading got me where I needed to go. After graduation, life "got in the way" a bit, but last spring I purchased an O'Day Daysailer 3 and managed to get out on a somewhat regualar basis. Though I don't race, I'm hoping have time to try it when the kids are a little older. For me, going fast IS relaxing. It forces me to concentrate entirely on the boat to keep it dry-side-up. I can't think about any of the troubles that are bothering me when I'm focused like that.
The Foruth Estate
The fourth use for a boat, which you did not include in your list, is this: a place to spend your time (and money) doing chores. Actually, I do enjoy that. My wife and I are retired now and stepped up to a Catalina 320 in expectation of doing more cruising but we are a bit frustrated that there are still so many conflicts for time. In the past I had done some racing on friends' boats. It was good to have the opportunity to learn what it was all about but not really what I wanted to do.
The fourth use for a boat, which you did not include in your list, is this: a place to spend your time (and money) doing chores. Actually, I do enjoy that. My wife and I are retired now and stepped up to a Catalina 320 in expectation of doing more cruising but we are a bit frustrated that there are still so many conflicts for time. In the past I had done some racing on friends' boats. It was good to have the opportunity to learn what it was all about but not really what I wanted to do.
Cruising
I raced and cuisedfor years asa young man. As time went on, and kids came and grew, we switched to cruising only. We sailedut of Wickford RI and recently moved to Fl. Here you can sail year round. We have crusied south to Shark Rive and north to Tampa Bay. While it takes some getting used to the shallow water (6ft to a deep of 30 ft) we are enjoying crusing the Fl coast. Plans call for a trip to the Bahamas and then further south. Cruise Only!
I raced and cuisedfor years asa young man. As time went on, and kids came and grew, we switched to cruising only. We sailedut of Wickford RI and recently moved to Fl. Here you can sail year round. We have crusied south to Shark Rive and north to Tampa Bay. While it takes some getting used to the shallow water (6ft to a deep of 30 ft) we are enjoying crusing the Fl coast. Plans call for a trip to the Bahamas and then further south. Cruise Only!
Home on the Lake
Last year my wife and I bought an O'Day 25...Great Boat... I had sailed some in years past on a small daysailer, but this was my first larger boat and my wife had not sailed before. She instantly fell in love with sailing and wants to spend as much time as possible on the boat. We keep our boat on Oneida Lake in upstate NY which is about a 2 hour drive from our house. It is our summer home and stress reliever. We can't wait to get to it every weekend once it is in the water. We enjoying spending our weekends staying aboard and so far have spent as many 9 consecutive days aboard her. We are not all that far from retirement and are looking forward to getting a bigger boat and moving south, so we can sail all year. We enjoy spending our time alone on the boat with some good cheese and wine we make ourselves.
Last year my wife and I bought an O'Day 25...Great Boat... I had sailed some in years past on a small daysailer, but this was my first larger boat and my wife had not sailed before. She instantly fell in love with sailing and wants to spend as much time as possible on the boat. We keep our boat on Oneida Lake in upstate NY which is about a 2 hour drive from our house. It is our summer home and stress reliever. We can't wait to get to it every weekend once it is in the water. We enjoying spending our weekends staying aboard and so far have spent as many 9 consecutive days aboard her. We are not all that far from retirement and are looking forward to getting a bigger boat and moving south, so we can sail all year. We enjoy spending our time alone on the boat with some good cheese and wine we make ourselves.
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