Whether you want to slow down and relax or if you wish to feel a quick adrenaline rush, boating is a great way to enjoy everything the water has to offer.
Boats and boating activities vary depending on your current goals and interests. So when looking for a boat, you should consider buying or renting one based on one of the following criteria:
- speed
- capacity
- carry stability
- ease of use (youth, beginner, advanced)
- seaworthiness
- affordability
- assembly time
- racing
- portability
Once you have decided on the essential criteria, you can further filter your choices by using the same criteria listed above to choose your second priority. For example, if your top priority is speed and your second priority is portability, you may want to check out catamarans or sailboats.
So Why Should You Go Boating? There are so many reasons for you to try this activity. Let’s check each one out below!
Table of Contents
It’s More Than A Hobby
Boating brings family and friends together. Suppose you want to have a quick respite from all the hustle and bustle of city life. Going on a boat is a great way to take a break from all your digital devices and immerse yourself out into the world.
In addition, boating with family and friends strengthens the bond in a fun way. When boating you can even learn about geography, teamwork and many more lessons. So, there’s sure to be no dull moment.
It’s Good for Your Body and Mind
According to a book called Blue Mind, human beings are naturally drawn to bodies of water. In addition, studies have shown that living close to any form of water can improve your physical health because it releases a mood-regulating hormone called serotonin.
Thus, when people go boating, they get to enjoy time for themselves and immerse fully in nature—allowing them to take a breather due to the busyness of life.
Adds Knowledge
Travelling via boat allows you to see a new version of the world. Seeing and experiencing a place from the waters is very different from experiencing it by land. Boating gives you a broader perspective of how you should live life. It even opens your mind to new and fresh ways of thinking.
Promotes Life Skills
There is always something fresh to learn, especially when you are out there on the water. But, of course, someone needs to know the basics of swimming before heading out in open waters, and when it comes to boating, basic knowledge and skills for swimming are not enough.
Thus boat handling and management, course-plotting and reading the behaviour of the water are necessary skills required when you plan on renting or buying your boat.
A Great Exercise
Exercise is essential for a person’s overall health, and boating is a great exercise. Aside from forcing you to be physically active, you get the chance to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the vitamin D from the sun. Some people even say that boating is better than running on a treadmill.
When you go boating, you get to move around the boat, and you won’t even notice that you are already using all the muscles you forgot you ever had because you need to have balance when on a boat.
In addition, there are several water activities you can also do while boating. For example, you can go wake surfing. You can also try wakeboarding and tubing.
Builds Teamwork
Boating with your family or friends is a great way to build your bond and teamwork. You can do activities and play games together.
In boating, there is an entertaining group activity called a raft-up. It’s a fun block party on the water. Boats gather in a harbour and tie up together, and like any other parties, raft-ups also have their music, food and drinks, and many more.
It Offers Flexibility
You don’t necessarily have to own a boat to go boating. Because there are plenty of locations that rent boats by the hour, the day or even the week, You can do boating on your own or with the people you are closest to without committing your entire life to the activity.
To start, you can rent a kayak or a rowboat to get a feel of how it feels to be on the water. Or you can also buy your own, and there are so many options for small catamarans for sale online. Then, you can move up to renting a ski boat, and before you know it, you will find yourself cruising on a bigger boat.
The choices are infinite when it comes to boating. You can go alone or with a group. You can enjoy a chill ride or have fun with a more thrilling option. In addition, you can tailor your boating adventure based on your current level of interest.
Newer and Better Boats
Boats have quickly evolved in recent years, and due to technology, boats nowadays have systems that make them easier to use and navigate. For example, advanced helm systems are now being used to make it easier to dock. Gone are the days when you had to do everything manually.
In addition, there are better safety and communications features available that make it easier to get help and assistance. Currently, some boats are even built like real homes, and to prevent food and beverages from spilling, utensils and drinkware are created explicitly with magnets so they can stay on the table.
More Activity Options
Many water toys are available, and they are more fun than ever. For example, you can now attach inflatable water slides and rock climbing walls behind the boat. If you want a safer space for your children, you can also install netted playpens to give you peace of mind.
A Way To Find Yourself
Getting away from the whole hustle and bustle of city life is one of the greatest pleasures in boating. When you go boating, you can choose to include a route that has sea creatures such as dolphins, sea turtles, and more.
You can also choose a path that offers scenery ranging from mountainous peaks to flat white sand. Or a view that has evergreens and palm trees. You can also choose to stay close to home by choosing one that offers a great cityscape.
Conclusion
Boating may sound like it’s a complicated thing because of all the jargon and technicalities, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In reality, it’s fun, exciting and rewarding. So go ahead and find the best boating location and choose whether you would like to rent or buy your boating equipment and enjoy your boating journey.
