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RSS FeedWhich is the better sport for boaters: Sailing or motorboating?
Results so far:
| Motor | 24% | 59 votes | Total: 246 votes | |
| Sail | 76% | 187 votes |
Motor
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Add to FavoritesThere's no question that sailing is the more pure activity, but it isn't as obvious that it is a "better" sport than motorboating. The advantages of motorboating are numerous - speed, ability to travel large distances, less expertise needed to get started, less reliance on the weather, etc. For the person who is just seeking a fun day on the water, those aspects are probably more important than mastering the art of sailing.
Motorboats represent "boating for the masses." They can be rented by anyone with a driver's license for a fairly small sum per day. They can be enjoyed in lakes and rivers anywhere. They can be driven 10 or 20 miles without effort, thus enabling a wonderful exploration of new areas. And they aren't reliant on wind or much skill to get the boater from here to there.
Sailboat enthusiasts say that their experience is a throwback to an earlier time, a link to mankind's adventurous "days of sail." That's true to some degree. But it assumes that most of us have the skills to actually hoist and trim a sail, and that we are willing to spend our time doing that over and over again during what is supposed to be a relaxing hobby.
A more common experience with sailing can be summed up in one word: frustration. Frustration in getting a sail up. Frustration in shifting sails. Frustration in moving in the direction you want to go. Frustration that you sailed less than a nautical mile all day. Frustration when you are bobbing in the wake of a motorboat that sped past.
The other benefit of motorboats is that they present the opportunity to do more activities during the day, especially for the novice boater. With a motorboat, speed is one pleasurable option. Another is water-skiing. Yet another is deep-sea fishing. And another is exploring coves, swamps, and rivers. Each of these activities is part of the boating experience, and each has tens of thousands of enthusiastic participants. None of these can be done with a sailboat - because sailboats lack the mobility and power.
In conclusion, we'd all like to claim that we are sailors, adept at traversing the open seas on just the power of wind. We imagine ourselves hoisting the mainsail, trimming the topsail, and so on. But the truth is that these are specialized skills developed over years and years of practice - and the cost of doing so is out of reach for almost all of us. We're motorboaters, and we're proud of it.
Learn more about this author, B. B. James.
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Sail
Hiked out over the rail, you feel you're on the hairy edge between max performance and a sudden swim. Your tired arms struggle to keep the sheets tight. Looking down, you see the water rush by in a dizzying blur. The burning in your back makes you wonder what you're doing out here; yet, you know you really wouldn't want to be anywhere else. You're sailing. You're part of the boat, controlling the wind, directing Mother Nature to do your bidding. But you know at any time, she could humble you, teach you who the real master of your vessel is. One sudden, strong gust and you'll find yourself taking a quick bath, and then struggling to right your boat, big, wet, heavy sail and all.
This may not sound like fun to everyone, but to a sailor, it is freedom, a worthy challenge, and a test of skill. Oh, sure, in a sailboat you can spend a lazy afternoon bobbing around on a lake catching some sun. The relaxing sound of the water slipping past the hull and no motor to disturb you is very pleasant. Watching the orange glow of a sunset spread itself across the water is a wonderful way to end a peaceful day on a sailboat. But the true essence of sailing is not to float around peacefully. It is to try to tame the elements and bend them to your will! Mastering the complex set of conditions that affect how a sailboat moves through the water is what many try to achieve and it can take years to learn it well.
Sailing clubs are often a large part of a sailor's life. These very tight-knit communities provide camaraderie and fellowship among sailors. They have fish fries, parties, award ceremonies, and host sailing competitions. Weekly races are held for the members to go head to head, gaining experience and learning the strategy of sailboat racing. Yearly, or sometimes more often, sailing clubs from all over the country gather to participate in the largest regattas, while regional races attract clubs from the same general area. Twenty boats with full sails hitting the starting line all at the same time is an awesome sight to behold! The sailors compete for the excitement of the race, hoping to bring glory to their respective home clubs.
Sailing can be enjoyed by all ages, from young children to senior adults. There are children younger than 12 who have competed in national races and done quite well, while many older sailors are hard to beat, with all their years of experience. If you've ever wondered what the mystique is, give it a try! But be forewarned...you may get hooked!
Learn more about this author, Jeff Casto.
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