Marina KB

1. 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 http://www.marinakeppelbay.com/YC_Main.asp now!