Saturday, September 26, 2009

Power vs. Sail: Feeling the same wind in your face

There are those on the water who sail and those who use an engine - outboard motors or inboard marine engines (gasoline or diesel). It's been this way ever since the first mariners put an engine on a sailing vessel and never again worried about how hard the wind blew or in what direction. Each has its unique benefits and attraction to different people. The best way to learn how to handle any watercraft though is to take sailing lessons. First. This scene is at the jetty that juts out from the Davis Islands Yacht Club... definitely home to those who prefer to sail. The Doral 245 Sunquest powerboat in the foreground (both a bowrider and a cuddy cabin), from a Canadian boatmaker that had its beginnings making canoes, is right at the mouth of the basin and is heading back out into the bay. The sail markings on the sailboats tell me this is a large group of students from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club who appear to have sailed across the bay and may be preparing to return. It was a gorgeous day to be out; it was a bit hot but a good wind was blowing - a relief whether you were under power or tacking into the wind.

2 comments:

Don and Krise said...

You know I've never gone sailing. There's one more thing to add to the list of things to do. I hope those students are not only learning something, but having the time of their lives.

Lowell said...

I've not been sailing since I was a little kid - back a couple of centuries ago...so I know from nothing...sounds like you might be a member of the yacht club, though...

I know it's a lot of fun, but these days I'll stay on shore and take pics of the beautiful boats!