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Is it important to know why we sail?
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Yotlinx
Posts: 5
Location: United Kingdom
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Is it important to know why we sail? - Posted: October 22, 2009 - 3:14 PM
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Reply to this thread and let us know why you like to sail.
The Yotlinx website has been on the go now for some 5 years. Since inception in 2004 over 1000 members have registered for some 170 different events (sailing trips). The typical Yotlinx sailing trip is a 3-4 days long weekend and mostly involves a 36-44 ft charter yacht with an average crew of 6. The 170 events have involved about 200 yachts, some events having several yachts. In most cases, crew members will know less that half of the crew at the start of the trip. Thus we are usually sailing with old friends and new most of the time and, most of the time, this works really well with everyone having a brilliant time. Needless to say there have been some 'failures' but just a handful. One or two have been related to the weather, where inexperienced crew members have had a baptism of fire, well, wind and water actually. In others it has been a matter of incompatible expectations of the trip. Our expectetions are no doubt formed from the reasons we do sail or want to sail in the first place. So please reply to this thread and let us know why you sail. This information will be shared and used to help ensure that we don't inadvertently step on the wrong boat!!!!
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wadden
Posts: 1
Location: Grampian, United Kingdom
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Re: Is it important to know why we sail? - Posted: October 22, 2009 - 8:46 PM
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Re: Is it important to know why we sail? - Posted: October 22, 2009 - 8:42 PM
Hmmm... interesting question. So why DO I sail? The answer for me has got to be - FREEDOM! No, I didn't beat my hairy chest and shout that in a Braveheart voice. I think its something I began to appreciate a long time before his film.
I was brought up in Shetland surrounded by roaming hills, lochs with free fishing, and as much sea as you could ever want. Oh, and there was sometimes a little bit of wind...... just a little bit. So its no surprise that neither wind nor water feared me. Respect yes, fear no... well okay, maybe once or twice.
I've had my share of sea faring folks that have lost their lives to the sea, but I suppose that each and everytime that you commit yourself to mother nature theres a certain inevitability that at some point you are going to be challeneged by her, and you have to accept that she can be more than a match unless you practice both respect and wisdom in equal measure; know when its a day to stay in port, and know when its a day to turn back.
My first real taste of freedon was on the 9th May 1981 when at 14yrs old I bought my first motorbike. Hill's, here I come! And once you have tasted the sweet taste of freedom, nothing else.... is ever.... quite the same... again. Not even a large Laphroaig by an open fire in a pub in Tobermory will ever taste as good. Only the wind whistling through your hair (in my case - both of my hairs) as you glide down a ski slope in the Alps, or the bite of the wind and ice cristals on your face as you battle a winter storm in the Cairngorms, or the sound of wind upon canvass and waves upon keel as you speed up The Sound Of Mull with a weekends sailing before you, the feeling of finally being free from the ties that bind, even for a weekend, is like nectar to the soul.
What else do I like then: meeting new people, that is so refreshing. I love it. I have twice now been on weekend sailing events where I have not known a soul at the start and at the end felt like I had just spent a weekend with 7 old friends. Gathering fresh Mussels from the shore and boiling them up in wine and Brandy for tea - wonderful! Having a drink and a laugh before you all go to bed. Ripping the snorer to shreds in the morning, being with like minded people who arent there to judge you cos you are not as experienced as them, lying on the deck and soaking up the sun, the anticipation of a hot shower and evening meal after a hard days sail, and just having fun doing it.
That, for me, is what its all about. And heres to many many more.
Cheers,
Billy.
Yotlinx said:
Reply to this thread and let us know why you like to sail.
The Yotlinx website has been on the go now for some 5 years. Since inception in 2004 over 1000 members have registered for some 170 different events (sailing trips). The typical Yotlinx sailing trip is a 3-4 days long weekend and mostly involves a 36-44 ft charter yacht with an average crew of 6. The 170 events have involved about 200 yachts, some events having several yachts. In most cases, crew members will know less that half of the crew at the start of the trip. Thus we are usually sailing with old friends and new most of the time and, most of the time, this works really well with everyone having a brilliant time. Needless to say there have been some 'failures' but just a handful. One or two have been related to the weather, where inexperienced crew members have had a baptism of fire, well, wind and water actually. In others it has been a matter of incompatible expectations of the trip. Our expectetions are no doubt formed from the reasons we do sail or want to sail in the first place. So please reply to this thread and let us know why you sail. This information will be shared and used to help ensure that we don't inadvertently step on the wrong boat!!!!
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kubernetes
Posts: 1
Location: Kincardineshire, United Kingdom
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Re: Is it important to know why we sail? - Posted: October 23, 2009 - 9:07 AM
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I think it's mainly because sailing is a complete change from the usual daily life experiences. It's completely different in so many respects and challenging because of that: it's full of surprises, gives the opportunity to meet and share the excitement with others, it demands switching to a new range of technical, environmental and human challenges, etc.
Sailing is invariably a concentrated experience and is completely absorbing.
After every occasion I believe I've learned more about boats, the world, other people and myself.
John
Yotlinx said:
Reply to this thread and let us know why you like to sail.
The Yotlinx website has been on the go now for some 5 years. etc.
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terrymcneill
Posts: 10
Location: Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
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I'm with others. Sailing is ideal for people who want their 'relaxation' to involve doing something different rather than switching off. The 'change is as good as a rest' brigade. Except in my case a change is definitely better than a rest.
And yes, Billy, those mussels were all the better for being hand gathered by ourselves. Just one of the many fringe benefits!
T
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