This article appeared in the Boston Business Journal on June 25, 2018.
Outdoors & Travel – EXECUTIVE PURSUITS
TIME TO SET SAIL FOR SUMMER BOATING
by Carol Kent
(Marblehead, MA) As Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows put it “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
With Memorial Day Weekend behind us, we know by the activities on waterfronts and the Yacht Club’s opening with traditional BBQ’s, it is the official kick off to the summer boating season in New England.
There are many ways you can amuse yourself on those lazy hot days enjoying the pleasures of being on the water. If you do not own a boat, it might be “smarter to charter” someone else’s. To handle your own sojourn, Freedom Boat Club has 11 locations in Massachusetts. Their slogan and true to non-ownership is “Go boating. Come back. Walk away. It’s that easy. No cleaning, no maintenance, no time-consuming hassles, and most importantly, no worries.”
Me worry? You must know the rules of the Sea, carry a compass, have a fog horn and give right of way to sailing boats – and do not drink and drive.
Want to learn to sail and handle your own boat? US Coast Guard offers courses that are classroom-based. Learn-to-sail programs are available for a nominal fee through Community Boating, Inc. on the Charles River (small dinghy sailing).
The nationally recognized Universal Access Program allows physically challenged folks to get on the water, too! Their motto is “Sailing for All”. Piers Park Sailing Center located in East Boston shares the similar philosophy, “Making Boston Harbor Accessible to everyone”.
Sailing Clubs like, Boston Sailing Center, charge a membership fee for training and independent sailing on 28’ – 40’ sailboats. Here you will learn all facets of sailing with hands-on boat handling, navigation, proper knot tying, etc.You want to be competent so you can buy your own boat or “skipper your own” down in the Caribbean come winter.
Want a day or more with family and friends? Boston and along the New England seaboard, one can rent a proper certified sail or motor yacht for the day (from 3 hours to a full day). Stellar Yacht Charters in Boston, specializes in brokering “day charter” vessels for 2-200 guests. The month of June rings wedding bells and Father’s Day…all good reasons to get on the water.
Yachting is not just for those rich and famous types. A great intro to getting a taste of life on the sea is to arrange a Boston weekend getaway with a captain and mate. Prices begin at $2,000 for a 24-hour period (noon to noon). Sail to the North or South Shore, have dinner, swim, fish and relax. You will be amazed what effects the water will have on you.
Of course, owning a luxury yacht does require crew to maintain the yacht, hiring of qualified Captain and crew to serve you and possible charter guests and, of course, insurance.
We love our yacht owners, because they provide all the amenities allowing us to experience the pure joy of private yachting!
Carol Kent (Carol Kent Yacht Charters) is an award winning international charter yacht broker who began her charter business 30 years ago in Boston. She still finds the Boston skyline and harbor and islands to be the very best!
