Skipper's Diary's Episode 2

Skipper’s Diary’s

What is the community like in the Boating world? Oh I could go on for days on this, but I will try to keep it simple. There are all kinds of wonderful and colorful people in the boating communities and around the marina’s. Everyone has a story just like in everyday life. The stories have a tendency to be a little more bizarre in the boating social arena, I have to say. Power boaters are different than sailors. Let’s examine.

Sailors are a laid back very hippy, off the grid hermit style clan. I think they live a lifestyle more than a hobby. They live from day to day just really enjoying sunrise to sunset, looking at the world from a boat perspective. Sailors are frugal, self-reliant, generally very friendly and willing to help. We are called sheet shakers, wind harvesters, and a whole other bunch of silly terms that explain our cheap living. We use the wind to get from one place to the next. Sailors are a breed than are always running from something, maybe the ex, maybe it’s a parent, or it could be the IRS. Like in the song  Down To the Banana Republic, from Jimmy Buffett. As a matter a fact Buffett’s songs are all stories of sailors and there life styles, and a huge favorite around the boats in the marinas, at anchor, or on the hook.  Yes sailors really are that rainbow gatherings  youth of the Boating world.

Power boaters are a different kind of group. They still love the water but live it a little more like the normal world view of life. What do I mean by this, well this is from my perspective only of course. Power boaters spend more money to get the amenities they want. They are more working class with a boat they visit on days off or vacations or when they have a minute to go down and see how they are sitting in the water. It’s more of a possession instead of like a child or a living entity as sailors see their vessels. Power boaters can be a little more arrogant, less respectful of other boaters, it’s like a guy with a Muscle car, get out of his way he needs to show off his manhood.  Now I’m only talking about some not all mind you. Also realize that this is my experience and only from what I have seen in the industry for the past 20 years. Generally all boaters are very awesome folks and small power boaters are very wonderful people to hang with. The boater’s attitude and respect seems to diminish as the boat size increases in length. Power boaters want to get there now, they are impatient, sailors are into the journey of getting there.

 

Well that’s my little perspective on sailors and power boaters. It’s only an opinion so don’t take it to heart, or become upset. Whether you are a power boater or a sailor we all love the water and we all love boats. Next Blog will be on the stories I have heard from boaters and why they are living on their boats, another interesting perspective and idea for life.     Skipper out.