Marina KB

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• Yachting A Sporting Life
• The beauty of the open sea is the appeal of
  yachting. The intangible qualities of wind,
  water, and wood are hard to sum up, even for a
  seasoned sailor like myself. Mind you, I did not
  grow up with a particular affinity for Neptune's
  home. No, I was raised on the oceans of land in
  Central Texas. Not surprisingly, the
  horizon-lines have not changed, though I now call
  both coasts home. This makes trying to explain
  the appeal of yachting a hard row to sow, indeed.
• Sadly, for most would-be yacht enthusiasts who
  find their sense of adventure quelled by
  conventional sports like football, either
  American or global, the yacht remains a symbol of
  a privileged class. To be sure, it is. Few
  sailors can boast owning a yacht. It is - and
  perhaps will remain - the domain of those who
  have means. But, this does not mean the sport is
  suddenly verboten. Quite the contrary if you are
  able-bodied and willing to brave the sea, you can
  find yourself aboard a fine vessel.
• The requirements for a would-be yachtsman are the
  same for any physically demanding sport. You must
  have a moderate level of stamina, a good degree
  of strength, and ample dexterity. Moreover, you
  must have a good sense of direction and a
  lead-cast stomach. While I have seen a good many
  candidates try-out for crew position while
  on-land, once they are at sea, they are unable to
  withstand the constant rocking of the sea. To be
  sure, given the right conditions, even the most
  seasoned sailors will feel the wrath of the sea.
  There is no shame in having to do what the sea
  compels you to do. But, if you are compelled to
  do so while the yacht is still in-harbor, woe is
  you.
• Not surprisingly, most yacht rentals in business
  today have little to do with the sport itself.
  No, these rental businesses cater to a more
  pampered clientele - and for good reason. If you
  have a 60-foot yacht at your disposal, fitted
  with every convenience imaginable, the last thing
  you need is a crew of rugged sailors crawling
  around, from aft to stern. No, the yachting I
  espouse for would-be seamen and women is a sport
  of wood, water, and wind.
• But, dreams of boarding a fine 30-foot vessel,
  complete with three tiers of rigging should be
  tempered with some dingy experience. That is to
  say, cut your teeth on the sloops and schooners
  available to amateur enthusiasts. You will need
  to understand the basics of rigging, knot-tying,
  and before you set your deck-shoes aboard a
  competitive vessel.
• For more details, just visit website
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