Anchors Aweigh!

Boating 101: How to get started

By Bill Lindsey

Endless months of social distancing have affected the ability of family and friends to enjoy get-togethers at restaurants, movies, concerts, or other entertainment venues, leaving many feeling isolated. Here’s one solution: boats allow small groups to safely enjoy each other’s company while offering fresh air and sunshine.

Most bowrider or center console pleasure boats under 21 feet in size are easy to operate while safely and comfortably accommodating four to six people. An express cruiser featuring more seating areas, as well as an enclosed cabin with a bathroom and kitchen (the “head” and the “galley”), may be more appropriate for larger families or groups, or for extended and overnight cruising.

Don’t own a boat? Not a problem; many marinas have fleets of rental boats available, allowing new boaters to “try before they buy” or to simply rent a boat rather than own, thus avoiding maintenance and storage responsibilities. Rental boats are ready to go, equipped with required safety equipment including life preservers, a horn, and signaling devices; just step aboard and choose a direction. Boat rental companies operate coast to coast, offering a variety of boats ranging in size from 18-foot outboard engine-powered models to 40-foot cruisers. Most can assist with hands-on training, in addition to providing references for local boating safety classes.

A boat allows you to enjoy amazing experiences those confined to dry land can’t imagine. Distant islands in the bay are transformed into picnic sites, warm evenings are prime cocktail cruise dates, and any day is ideal for a leisurely, stress-shedding ride across the lake, up the river, or along the coast. In short, a boat is a veritable portable, personal island, making every day on the water a family reunion and every casual cruise with friends and coworkers a reconnecting adventure. A boat allows you to discover how different a community

While enjoying a day on the water, make sure guests stay safe.