I remember the first time I felt the keel pull the boat into a reach wind.
I was actually sailing.
The engine was silent and my first sailboat was actually going in the right direction.
Sailing is easier than it sounds.
Many will tell you that you need to take expensive classes and obtain certificates to hang on your wall.
Others will tell you that there are two great days in a boater's life - the day she buys the boat and the day she sells it.
Hogwash.
Don't tell your sailboat-owning friends these things.
If you've been on their boat, then you've seen the look in their eye when the sails are full.
So, rather than put them in the doldrums, buy them something that will guarantee many happy hours under way.
Nothing is cheap on the water and they will be grateful for any gift that helps their time under sail.
Sailors are different from the normal power/gas hungry boaters you see roaming around your local lakes and ocean on the weekends.
Sailors are people who respect hard work and aren't thrilled by high speed or loud engines.
Sailors are not afraid of research.
So the safest gift you can get a sailor is a book about sailing.
There are many great books about boating in general and even more about sailing.
Chapmans Piloting and Seamanship is in its 64th edition and is the Bible of boating.
If your sailing friend does not already have it - buy it for them.
After all, knowledge is power! Also, remember that all sailors are romantics.
They all believe that someday they will be living on a boat sailing around the world.
So, any Jimmy Buffett book or any music by this artist is always safe.
Even if they already have two copies of Coconut Telegraph, they will love to give the new one to one of their boating friends.
Look for obscure books about people sailing away, or travel books about the Caribbean.
True literary sailors will enjoy any of the Travis McGee mystery books series by John D.
MacDonald.
These books were written in the 60s through 80s and most male sailors wish they were Travis McGee and most female sailors wish they were one of his women.
A sailor never has enough lines.
He always needs to be able to batten down a hatch or sail and after time, all lines need replacing.
Buy braided lines in different lengths and be aware that certain lines are meant for different tasks.
Buy them at a boating store and ask advice as to some all-purpose lines that will make it easier for your sailor to tie up to his favorite dock or replace an essential mainsail or jib line.
Sailors always like to see where they are going and a great gift idea is marine binoculars.
Be sure to buy them from a boating store or ensure that they are waterproof.
This gift is great for spotting good coves to anchor for the night.
Other good ideas that can be used offshore include nautical themed dishware, home décor, art or photography.
If you have a sailor in your life that needs a gift, consider one of the gifts above.
The way you'll know your gift was a hit is when you've been invited out for a day on the water.
Be sure to make yourself useful; another gift to a sailor is the gift of one more set of working hands onboard.
I was actually sailing.
The engine was silent and my first sailboat was actually going in the right direction.
Sailing is easier than it sounds.
Many will tell you that you need to take expensive classes and obtain certificates to hang on your wall.
Others will tell you that there are two great days in a boater's life - the day she buys the boat and the day she sells it.
Hogwash.
Don't tell your sailboat-owning friends these things.
If you've been on their boat, then you've seen the look in their eye when the sails are full.
So, rather than put them in the doldrums, buy them something that will guarantee many happy hours under way.
Nothing is cheap on the water and they will be grateful for any gift that helps their time under sail.
Sailors are different from the normal power/gas hungry boaters you see roaming around your local lakes and ocean on the weekends.
Sailors are people who respect hard work and aren't thrilled by high speed or loud engines.
Sailors are not afraid of research.
So the safest gift you can get a sailor is a book about sailing.
There are many great books about boating in general and even more about sailing.
Chapmans Piloting and Seamanship is in its 64th edition and is the Bible of boating.
If your sailing friend does not already have it - buy it for them.
After all, knowledge is power! Also, remember that all sailors are romantics.
They all believe that someday they will be living on a boat sailing around the world.
So, any Jimmy Buffett book or any music by this artist is always safe.
Even if they already have two copies of Coconut Telegraph, they will love to give the new one to one of their boating friends.
Look for obscure books about people sailing away, or travel books about the Caribbean.
True literary sailors will enjoy any of the Travis McGee mystery books series by John D.
MacDonald.
These books were written in the 60s through 80s and most male sailors wish they were Travis McGee and most female sailors wish they were one of his women.
A sailor never has enough lines.
He always needs to be able to batten down a hatch or sail and after time, all lines need replacing.
Buy braided lines in different lengths and be aware that certain lines are meant for different tasks.
Buy them at a boating store and ask advice as to some all-purpose lines that will make it easier for your sailor to tie up to his favorite dock or replace an essential mainsail or jib line.
Sailors always like to see where they are going and a great gift idea is marine binoculars.
Be sure to buy them from a boating store or ensure that they are waterproof.
This gift is great for spotting good coves to anchor for the night.
Other good ideas that can be used offshore include nautical themed dishware, home décor, art or photography.
If you have a sailor in your life that needs a gift, consider one of the gifts above.
The way you'll know your gift was a hit is when you've been invited out for a day on the water.
Be sure to make yourself useful; another gift to a sailor is the gift of one more set of working hands onboard.
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