Why we boat.

[skipperdude]

Wow!! Some deep thought and comments here. I especially like the one about not deducting from the O'l life span.

Keep em coming.

The philosophy of why we boat. Cool.

SD

[Delia Rosa]

The best part, for me, is just being on the water! Dan, on the other hand, loves driving!

[dhmeissner]

"Any damn fool can navigate the world sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk."
- Sir Francis Chichester

[Moonstruck]

I will just stay with the tag line under my signature. I think it sums it up for me.

[CPseudonym]

Sunday we sea trialed and moved our new boat into the berth. Today I received a text from my wife saying she can't stop thinking about how comfortable it was gliding down the river without a care in the world.

[jeffnick]

I boat because I can.

[healhustler]

After literally days of hot, suffering work in my genie room, and one frustrating system glitch after another, I awaken before a cool dawn to a delight of noises, textures and sensations of Bucky's pilothouse. The way the doors open, the windows slide, and the controls feel. A subtle twist of the key brings the soft, friendly murmur of my diesel as if to say "I'm with you, let's go". A throw the lines and she's away from dock....carrying us down the canal toward the place where both of us want to be. We clear the inlet, then the channel marker and steer 180 degrees into the crystal waters of Biscayne Bay. She reaches her sweet spot and takes her full keel stance upon the course we've chosen. In the distance, the Charter boats are heading out through Stiltsville Cut in anticipation of the morning's catch while the midnight waves grow blue-green from the sun's early grace. Running straight and true in open water, I step from the pilothouse and walk freely around the deck, stopping to sip coffee toasts to my favorite morning views, and standing confidently upon the platform that has inspired my awakening to the wonder of water. The cool air, the warming sun, man and machine all in one congruent, fluid moment. Does life get better?

[Marin]

Originally Posted by healhustler

....I step from the pilothouse and walk freely around the deck....

How can you do that? You don't have one. Oh, you mean that little platform up top.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[mahal]

I boat because I can't afford to yacht.

[healhustler]

Originally Posted by Marin

How can you do that? You don't have one. Oh, you mean that little platform up top.
.

Hmmm. OK, maybe "Wheelhouse" would be more suitable. Yes, I'll refer to it as Wheelhouse.

[Marin]

Originally Posted by healhustler

Hmmm. OK, maybe "Wheelhouse" would be more suitable. Yes, I'll refer to it as Wheelhouse.

Actually, I meant the deck. I see no issue with referring to your "helm compartment" as a pilothouse or wheelhouse.

[alormaria]

"Hmmm. OK, maybe "Wheelhouse" would be more suitable. Yes, I'll refer to it as Wheelhouse."

It's your boat. You're the captain. You can call it anything you want.

And that is yet another great thing about being on your boat.

[myoungbl]

Yes, I enjoy working on my boat, almost, not quite, as much as going out on it.

[rwidman]

My wife and I boat because we enjoy it. The travelling by water, the new places we visit, the sights and wildlife we see along the way, the freedom from everyday duties, and even the socializing at our marina.

It's something we both enjoy doing together and at our point in life, it's time to reap the rewards of two lifetimes of hard work and stress.

[swampu]

Originally Posted by skipperdude

Is it the voyage or the vessel that we love so much. Sometimes I think I like working on my boat as much as I like using it.
Sd

SD, I work construction so to me the old wooden girl is like restoring a master or something for me. As soon as I step onto her deck all the deadlines and problems of everyday stay at the dock. I think your mind sees the finished product or a version of it and you really don't get the scope of how daunting some of the projects are. Good thread. Paul

[Underway]

Makes a great waterfront cottage that I can move if I get tired of the neighborhood. It would have been sold years ago if it was a configuration other than a sundeck...the only way to go for what is primarily a dock condo. Except for the massive depreciation when the economy tanked, the cost of ownership is arguably lower than a summer home.

[Art]

ADDICTION!!

Pure and simple, it's addiction to pleasure boating and all its dimensions.

[Codger2]

Originally Posted by skipperdude

Is it the voyage or the vessel that we love so much.

For me it's the vessel. I've never seen an ugly boat in my life. They're all designed for a specific mission. Now, I'll admit to not wanting to go on a number of those missions.

[GFC]

This song, "Cool Change" by Little River Band pretty much says it for me....

"If there's one thing in my life that's missing
It's the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
There's lots of those friendly people
They're showing me ways to go
But I never want to lose their inspiration

Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
And I know that my life is so pre-arranged
I know that it's time for a cool change

Well I was born in the sign of water
And it's there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
And it's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon like a lover

I've never been romantic
And sometimes I don't care
I know it may sound selfish
But let me breathe the air

If there's one thing in my life that's missing
It's the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon like a lover

[FlyWright]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse II

...I've never seen an ugly boat in my life. They're all designed for a specific mission. Now, I'll admit to not wanting to go on a number of those missions.

Now that subject deserves its own thread!!