BOATING, whether in a sailboat, fishing boat, cruiser or ski boat means something different to each boat owner. Boats get us to our favorite fishing spots, pull water skiers, take us to destinations across the water. But more than that, there's a common thread that binds us together as boaters. Is it community, common interest, common calling? Is it passion for something inexplicable? This site contains articles, videos and blogs that explore the passion of our favorite pastime.
“The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.” ― Christopher Paolini, Eragon
The raw power and fury of a raging ocean never ceases to give me pause. I am captivated by it's dominion over anything that stands in its way. Since the beginning of time man has tried to understand the forces that move the sea. It has killed millions and reaked havoc on ships, beaches and land structures. It's fickle by nature and even the best computer models can't always predict its behaviors. It has the power to end life and destroy property mercilessly without warning.
Here's a video reminiscent of Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea, The Deadliest Catch and The Perfect Storm, displaying the ocean in some of its most capricious, angry moods. The effects of the sun, moon and wind make for some trying times riding the briny bronc and this video is a masterpiece of the spectacle and the formidable foe the ocean can be.
William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.
Water is everywhere and everyone. The earth's surface is 70% water, the average adult 55%-65% water. It's so much a part of our lives, that we often take it for granted until we're without it. As commonplace and unremarkable this odorless, tasteless liquid is, it's just as equally extraordinary and wonderful as it is mundane; dynamic, essential to life itself, refreshing and most important to boaters, wet and buoyant.
If you're reading this post, it's a sure bet you love the water every bit as much as I do. For most of us, this love affair with the water starts at an early age and once smitten, there's no returning to a life without it.
It usually starts in baby steps. Not being quite sure what this new medium is about, you test it. You discover you can't breathe in it so you mistrust it. When you discover it cools you down in the baking sun, you like it and want more, a fair tradeoff you reason. Wading in the shallows you realize you can jump, kick, splash and run into the water without harm, your confidence nudging you to venture ever deeper. It's exciting, lots of fun, and you want more.
As your proclivity for water grows, you notice others in the water, swimming "over their heads", not tip toeing on the bottom like you. Strapping on a life vest and learning to hold your breath underwater touches a milestone and when you're able at last, to cast off the Mae West, swim unassisted, cannonball with gusto and dive to touch bottom headfirst, you've arrived. Finally, unbridled of fear, you're free to enjoy the water with confidence whenever and wherever you want to get wet.
Most of us who call ourselves boaters reached a point when we asked ourselves if we're enjoying the best the water had to offer? Looking beyond the swimmers we saw the boats. Like a child wading in the shallows we wanted to experience more of our favorite medium and pastime, go faster and farther than we could swim. Having been under the water, in the water, but not on the water, we bought a boat and narrowed our preference of size, purpose and style to our needs.
Once on the water in our boats, we broke out the rafts, tubes, water skis, rods and reels, inflatables, floating chairs and dinghies. The possibilities for fun on the water were limitless. No wonder some people lived on it year round.
I ask you now, where would you be without a body of water to float a boat? What would you be doing in the summer heat to cool your jets, go under a lawn sprinkler? Are you satisfied with the local swimming hole, beach, pool, shower or bath? Heck no, I think you want more. You know too much. There's no going back, except to visit.
Water is the core that sustains and invigorates the body, mind and soul of each and every, mariner and boat lover. Without it, the body withers, the mind wilts and the soul fades. Water is lifeblood; it refreshes, it renews, it replenishes and energizes. If it's deep, cool and wet, get on it, so you can get in it and under it; your boat is no good without it!
Here's a video to remind you where you came from and who you are my fellow water lovin' boater!
William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill is the author of the book, Lubber's Log published by Llumina Press;
a boating primer and adventure story about a couples experiences in moving up to a bigger boat.
Time to celebrate the classic, vintage wooden runabouts of yesteryear. You know the ones with the varnished mirror like finishes, bronze hardware, vintage gauges, many with bare bones, visible hull frames and hard wooden seats. The builders I remember most were Chris Craft, Century, Gar Wood, Lyman and Thompson boats of less than 22 feet (7 meters) in length.
I love the styling of these vintage boats, but just as exciting as their appearance and sex appeal there was something indescribable about the sound of the inboards and outboards of the day at full throttle that thrilled me as a boy. The sight of the old boats rocketing across the water, glistening in the light of day, sometimes obscured completely by plumes of white spray added to their sense of power and liberation, an exhilaration I experience to this day.
Anyway, this post is a tribute to the pretty old girls of so many years ago, the forerunners of the magnificent boats of today. Feel free to ogle or take one for a spin in your minds eye. That's what they're there for.
Classic Wooden Runabouts
William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill is the author of the book, Lubber's Log published by Llumina Press; a boating primer and adventure story about a couples experiences in moving up to a bigger boat.
