Sea Treks

Being on the water is a multisensory experience that brings boaters and sailors to new levels of awareness and appreciation

These days, life on land can sometimes feel boxed-in, limited by the same routines. Ancient seafarers discovered that heading out to sea meant adventure, challenge, and often, reward—and it’s been a crucial facet of the human experience ever since. Here, Naples Yacht Club members reflect on some of the joys and lessons they discover on the water.

Adventure Awaits Amy and I spend the majority of our free time on the water in our mid-sized, Downeast-style motor vessel. Boating is a hobby we can share, and it brings us closer together. We find our time on the water to be relaxing, restorative for our spirit, and a welcome diversion from the stresses of everyday life.

We love to frequently entertain our family and friends with casual harbor and coastal cruises. The soothing sounds of the boat moving through the water, the caress of an ocean breeze, and the glow of a low-hanging sun on the horizon all create a wonderful environment for a memorable social gathering.

We also cherish our time alone on the

boat, in particular our weekend cruises and overnights when we can enjoy the journey and the destination. These excursions capture our gypsy spirit and give us an incredible sense of freedom and adventure. On these longer trips, we feel more connected with the sea and have developed a healthy respect for its power and ever-changing conditions. The sobering challenge of navigating fog and darkness by instrumentation brings us as much exhilaration as the uplifting sight of a dolphin pod surfing the boat’s wake on a bluebird day.

The ultimate joy after a long day of cruising is reaching our final destination and the sense of accomplishment it brings. The marinas we travel to are always welcoming, filled with a quiet energy, and populated with fascinating people from all walks of life. Among the pageantry of sailing and motor vessels at dock, we’ve found that our fellow weekend cruisers and live-aboards are a fun and social group to be around. Enjoying a refreshing sundowner with newly minted friends and sharing stories of our respective journeys is a marvelous way to end a day on the seas and expand our horizons. — Bill and Amy Kremer

Family Memories Boating has been an important part of our lives for the 47 years that we have been married. It has been a fun form of family time, relaxation, and adventure, all rolled up together. All three of our children got the boating bug. Our youngest daughter was strapped into a car seat in the cockpit of a Sabre 42 sailboat; our son crewed with me on the shakedown cruise of our Eastbay 49 from Fort Lauderdale to Westport, Connecticut; and our oldest daughter became a sailing instructor during summers in college. Pat and I are anxious to continue the adventure, exploring coastal Florida, the Keys, and the islands, with our new friends at NYC. Hopefully, our children and grandchildren will be signing up for some of the fun, too! — Dick and Pat Del Bello

Fully Engaged Boating is an expensive commitment to an experience based on safety, technology, the environment, and social fun. Every boating trip provides a diverse multisensory and intellectual experience. I am a U.S.C.G. licensed captain who really enjoys the activities which define the boating experience: trip planning, pre-trip boat checklist, on-board passenger hospitality, constant review of alternative courses of action in the event of uncertain conditions, challenges of weather and tides, and monitoring the boat equipment and engine and other boats on the water. The sense of freedom and accountability makes each trip unique. — Rusty McKee

Unforgettable Journeys When we are docked at various marinas, people ask all sorts of questions about our boat—the size and make, how fast it goes, how many it sleeps, how we got the boat from Florida to Michigan. It’s all about the physical attributes of the boat. What they don’t ask about is what makes the boating all worth it—all the other elements that create the journey. Most important of these are the friendships we have made with other Naples Yacht Club boaters, and the camaraderie we share with family and guests who travel with us. This time spent together, the sights we take in when cruising, and the excitement of never knowing what the next turn of events might be due to weather, obstacles, and changing seas, make it an unforgettable experience. The independence and calmness I feel when I’m out on the open seas is unmatched by any other type of transport. Naples Yacht Club has been a big conduit and contributor to all the positive aspects of boating for us. — Jack and Ann Anderson

“Sight-seaing” with Sophie We traveled on our Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht from June 21 to October 15 in 2019, all the way to Bar Harbor, Maine, and back to Naples. Yes, that is almost four months on the water! This was our first time experiencing a trip like this: just the two of us and our standard poodle, Sophie. We loved experiencing each coastal town, big and small, along our journey. Each had something different to offer that we enjoyed. We experienced fabulous museums, our country’s rich history (especially naval history), and amazing restaurants. Our family flew into different cities and spent some weekends with us, so we didn’t feel like we missed out spending time with them. We love the freedom of traveling by boat: sleeping in our own bed each night, not having to eat out three times a day, and being able to bring Sophie. We love the camaraderie of other boaters, each with their own explorer’s spirit. Spending time on the water is precious to us. — John and Carolyn Moisson

Schooled by the Seas Six life lessons sailing taught me

By Jane Devine

The lessons one learns about and from boating—whether sailing or power—will forever stick with you, enriching the rest of your life, and contributing to your personal and professional growth. Each lesson you learn is imprinted on your brain, as tools to apply to your business, relationships, family life, and individual goals. Some important sea-inspired truths worth sharing:

 Boating teaches you how to steer. This leadership skill can enable you to run a business and be directly in control of your enterprise and the direction you wish to take.

 It’s essential to be part of a crew. Every well-skippered boat (family, business, or group of friends) typically has a well-oiled team that assists in making snap decisions and works in tandem to navigate difficult waters.

 There are captains for a reason. Mentorship is valuable and it’s impossible to learn how to sail by yourself.

 Follow the leader, to a point. You can follow other boats for the safest solution, but breaking away and carving your own line can produce the win and the best winds.

 Good equipment helpswhen you know what you’re doing. Fancy equipment in the hands of a less-skilled or inexperienced sailor will never compare to having a maestro at the helm to take a boat to its best performance.

 Sailing can be the most exhilarating, satisfying, and happiest times you can spend with family, friends, business associates, and competitors.

Nirvana is an apt name for our vessel.

Come aboard!