Why Sailing?

Regrettably, over the years sailing has declined as a leisure activity enjoyed by people right here in the United Sates. At the same time, the price of gasoline and marine diesel fuel has continued to go up. This seems to go against economic logic. Sailing is the original, maritime "green" activity! Yet, I predict it will someday be the future trend as it has so many desirable qualities.

Yes, sailing continues to decline, even though recreational boating as a whole has continued to rise in popularity. That's right; it is motorized boating that is on the rise. And, the fastest growing segment is in the personal watercraft (jet-ski) category! These PWC's are also the most dangerous of all. So what gives? Especially, when considering that the cost of fuel is so high that often times it does not even pay for commercial fishermen to leave the harbor. You would think that these fishermen would be the first to use sails to propel their trawlers. Or, that cargo ships would return to the days of sail. Only the cruise industry seems to be incorporating sail-power, as is evidenced by such innovators as Tradewinds Cruise Lines.

When I was a youngster my family had a 25 foot sloop with no axillary outboard on it at all, and we always had a blast. We would just push the boat out of the marina slip and start sailing. The whole family sat in the cockpit together and shared the duties of steering, and sheeting in the jib. If the wind ever completely stopped, which is extremely rare, we would just break out a paddle and within minutes be back at the dock. Later, we added a four horse power outboard and we could easily motor in and out of the slip. The three gallon gas can lasted us all summer long. On most motorized water craft, that same three gallons would last only about an hour! Money doesn't grow on trees and the earth doesn't seem to be getting any colder either, so come on people, learn to sail and stop fowling up the air with those "stink-pot" motorboats! Put your children on a small Sunfish type sailboat. They are extremely safe. They are unswampable, go only about three miles an hour, and can be seen for miles! It is a ton of fun when ever they tip-over and gives the kids an excuse to cool-off in the water. Even commercial fishermen and bay watermen could incorporate auxiliary sail-power into their existing rigs and start making fishing pay again.

Now in all fairness, I have to admit that the outdoorsy folks have done a first rate job of advancing earth-friendly boating extensively, though the use of the paddle. Canoeing and Kayaking, both white-water and sea, having become wildly popular over the last 30 years and I applaud this surge. I too have both a kayak and a canoe, and being made of plastic composites, I have never had to rebuild or replace either one. As bonus, I have never had to fuel one up! Plus, paddling is great exercise. However, if you are looking for a fun, family activity that allows you to travel longer distances, while experiencing Mother Nature up-close - quietly enough to hear her cast of characters recite their soothing, cryptic lines - without waking up with a sore stiff shoulder in the morning, then sailing, in my ever so humble opinion, is the only way to go.