| We've all done it before. A friend introduces you to a | | | | then you're a good candidate for the wind option. |
| new hobby, and all of a sudden we ABSOLUTELY | | | | Remember we are on the water to relax, not be all |
| HAVE to go out and buy the latest and greatest | | | | stressed out and yelling at our family!! Speaking of |
| equipment that hobby has to offer. Nine times out of | | | | family... |
| ten, our spouses roll their eyes and say "go ahead | | | | YOU may have the right personality for sailing, but |
| and put it in the garage (attic, backyard, etc...) just | | | | does your family share your characteristics? Would |
| like all of your other hairbrained ideas!! " I'll admit, I've | | | | your kids be bored cruising at 6 knots while water |
| been guilty of that very crime more times than not. | | | | skiers are buzzing by? Again, only you can answer |
| Here's what I've learned over the years. | | | | that question and is definitely something you need to |
| It pays to NOT jump in with both feet when it | | | | talk to family members about. |
| comes to boating or yachting! I feel comfortable in | | | | Your best option is to enroll in some sailing lessons. |
| saying that you can get away with buying a "larger" | | | | Either private or in a group setting, you'll learn what it |
| power boat initially. They are very controllable, as | | | | really takes to have an enjoyable time on the water. |
| long as you maintain strict throttle discipline!! (I know | | | | My local college offers beginning sailing lessons at a |
| it's hard to do with all that power there!) Compared | | | | very reasonable price. For less than one hundred |
| to a sailboat, they require little "work" to have fun. | | | | dollars I can take a two weekend course that |
| Push the throttle forward, turn the wheel right and | | | | teaches the basics of sailing safety. I would rather |
| left, turn up the music and you have an instant party. | | | | spend $100 on a course to find out I can't sailing than |
| For those avid sailors, however, the "work" of raising | | | | buying a boat I'm now stuck with!! Involve your |
| and adjusting sails IS the fun! Sailors like the challenge | | | | family in the lessons. Enroll with your spouse and |
| and skill required to maneuver their craft through the | | | | involve him/her. Not only is it helpful to have |
| water, achieving the highest speed with only wind | | | | somebody along who knows what to do, but it |
| power. If you are the "instant gratification" type of | | | | makes the outing that much safer should something |
| person, then sailing PROBABLY isn't for you. Nothing | | | | happen to you. |
| wrong with that, we're all just wired a little | | | | If you live near water, call around and see if there |
| differently. | | | | are any boats available for charter. For a reasonable |
| So, before you go out and buy that brand new | | | | rate, you can take the entire family out for a short |
| $20,000 sailboat, it would be very beneficial to take a | | | | cruise to see if it is something they would enjoy. The |
| good hard look at who you are deep down. Are you | | | | kids might like cranking the sails up and down, |
| really going to commit to the maintenance and | | | | steering the boat, dropping an anchor, or any of the |
| expenses? Take slip fees for instance... (Sailboats | | | | number of other skills required. Or, they all might get |
| have large keels that make trailering a real pain.) | | | | sea sick and never want to see another boat in their |
| Many new owners fail to realize these fees are | | | | life! Better to find out now than when you're 2 |
| recurring every month, and even if the boat is paid | | | | payments into a 60 page payment book! |
| off you are still paying a few hundred bucks each | | | | Of course, all this advice means absolutely nothing if |
| month for a "parking spot." (Not to mention paying | | | | your so stinking rich you can't burn your money fast |
| for insurance all marinas require.) You probably won't | | | | enough. In that case, buy the biggest boat you can |
| have this expense with a power boat, assuming you | | | | find, hire a crew that will either do it all for you or tell |
| can park it at your residence. (The insurance will | | | | you what to do so you can feel important, and set |
| probably be a wash...no pun intended.) | | | | sail for Australia. For the rest of us though, following |
| Are you one who is "about the journey?" Or are you | | | | the above steps will save not only a lot of heartache, |
| "about the destination?" If you answered "journey", | | | | but also a lot of green. |