Note: All the photographs were taken by the author and are copyrighted property whether marked or not.
"Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING --absolutely nothing-- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Kenneth Grahame, "Wind in the Willows"
I like hanging out (lurking) on boating forums. There are a half dozen I actively participate in, and maybe a dozen more I visit occasionally. The following questions crop up regularly on almost all boating forums.
“I am new to boating, but I would like to get into it.”
“I am thinking about living on a boat, how do I get started?” “Which is better a power or sail boat?”
“Is it safe to go on the ocean in a 16 (or whatever length) foot boat?” (The answer in this case is no, not until your know a lot more about boats.)
It is plain, they know little to nothing about boats or the boating lifestyle. But since they have asked the question, it is also obvious they are eager to learn and are taking the right steps by first asking questions and not just running out and buying a boat. People who do that usually end up hating it, or getting in serious trouble. The best approach is to go slow, learn, start small, and in time move up.
My first recommendation to them is read, read, read.
Recommended reading:
Boating Magazines: they can be found at any book store, newsstand, library or online. There are lots of them. Just keep reading until you find an aspect of boating you are interested in. This will introduce you to the wide world of boats and you will pick up a lot of the language of boats.
Chapmans Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling. This is found in any library or bookstore. It is the bible of boating. Everything you need to know to get started is in there. If you decide to take up boating you will want your own copy. As of 2021 it is in its 69th edition. But one a few years older is just as good (and a lot less expensive). You can find earlier editions at used book stores and thrift shops. But don’t go back more than 2 or 3 editions. Mine is the 66th edition and it is very up to date except in the section on marine electronics.
The Nature of Boats, Dave Gerr: A good introduction to how boats are designed and built, and a lot of history of boats. This book will answer a lot of questions, such as: what’s the difference between a boat and a yacht? (none really, it all depends on who you are talking to.)
The Complete Sailor, Learning the Art Of Sailing David Seidman “The Complete Sailor takes the reader from the first sail to a mastery of small-boat handling.” “The Complete Sailor goes beyond other learn-to-sail books to cover navigation, boat design, and seamanship. Encyclopedic in scope yet warm in style, it conveys the magic as well as the techniques of sailing. Among the other topics covered: anchoring, ropework, rigging, weather, fog, squalls, currents and tides, rules of the road, trailering, and working the winds. The book is a gentle introduction for those just starting out, and a guide to new horizons for those who already sail.” Amazon.com
BOATUS. A good place to start if you are new to boating. https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/lifestyle/new-to-boating
Courses: Are you more of the hands on type who prefers to learn by doing? There are courses available in everything from basic boating or sailing to advanced navigation and boat maintenance. Start with a basic boating course from one of the below organizations.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary: https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/
US Power Squadron: https://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm
There are State Approved Courses for a boating card. The boating card is mandatory in some states. Search for your state boating safety course. (such as: Iowa Boating safety course)
Sailing and boating clubs. In most areas where there is a lot of boating, there are clubs. These are not yacht clubs, which are mostly social clubs.
For young people:
Sea Scouts. https://seascout.org/ (part of the Boys and Girl Scouts)
Naval Sea Cadets. https://www.seacadets.org/
On the water courses:
These are courses you pay for and usually the teachers are professionals who hold a US Coast Guard License to carry passengers for hire. Some are just for people who want to learn basic boating or sailing skills. Other schools are for people wanting to earn a Coast Guard License. (Which is not necessary to operate your own boat for your own pleasure.) Schools that lead to a Coast Guard license must be Coast Guard Approved, meaning the course has been examined by the Coast Guard.
Last, but no way least: talk to boat owners. The quickest way to get rides on boats and gain some experience is to volunteer to help a friend work on their boat. There are routine tasks that need doing, cleaning, painting, varnishing, changing engine oil etc. Volunteer to be crew on sailboats, even if it’s as the cook.
Get involved in on-line boating forums.
Cruisers and Sailing: https://www.cruisersforum.com/
Sailnet.com: https://www.sailnet.com
WoodenBoat Forum: https://forum.woodenboat.com/
Houseboating Magazine forums: https://www.houseboatmagazine.com/
About.Com: Power boating. https://www.liveabout.com/sailing-4687981
And don’t forget the Safety web sites:
US Coast Guard Boating Safety: https://www.uscgboating.org/
US Coast Guard Auxiliary: https://www.cgaux.org/
US Power Squadron: https://www.usps.org/
Boating Safety.com: https://www.boatingsafety.com/
Boat Shows.
Go to boat shows. Most are in the winter and early spring. But there are some in the summer or fall. The biggest is the Miami International Boat Show in Feb-March. The biggest on the west coast is the Seattle Boat Show in January. Every major city in the US and Canada has a boat show. This is the short list. There are many more around the country.
US Sailboat Show and US Powerboat Show, Annapolis MD
Boats Afloat Show Seattle
Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoor Show
Cleveland Boat and Waterfront Lifestyle Expo
Detroit Boat Show
Houston Boat and Sport Show
Miami International Boat Show
Marine Industry Assoc Of the Treasure Coast (FL)
Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors Show, Rockland Maine
Minneapolis Boat Show
Mystic Seaport Wooden Boat Show, CT US
Newport, RI, International Boat Show
New York International Boat Show
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Seattle Boat Show
Upstate South Carolina Boat Show (Greenville)
Wooden Boat Festival Port Townsend WA
Mid Canada Boat Show, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Toronto International Boat Show, Canada
Vancouver International Boat Show, BC, Canada
I marked in bold some that are really worth seeing, even if just to see what a really good boat show is. All the bigger shows have seminars in everything from basic boating to advanced navigation and boat maintenance. See the links page on my web site for more shows https://newboatbuilders.com/pages/links.html
It doesn’t end here. There is much more on boating courses, types of boats, maintenance cost, boating terms and a reference list. If you like what you have read so far, please consider a paid subscription.
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