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Exploring the joys of boatingFor many, boating conjures up visions of sunny skies, gentle waves and hours spent relaxing. In reality, owning a boat is less like playing perpetual host during a summer of floating parties and more like full-blown parenthood. It means commitment, aDespite the costs and hours added to your weekend To-Do-List (and we aren?t counting time spent sailing the harbor), boating is more than a wallet-straining hobby. Research shows time spent on the water has a direct impact on the quality of life, with boaters rating their family, social and sex lives as being more satisfactory than their non-nautical counterparts. And kids who boat reap benefits beyond learning how to tie a cleat hitch. Not only are seafaring kids more outgoing, they?re healthier and exhibit more leadership skills than children who never leave the shore. But it?s not a nautical cure-all. Just as neglectful parenting invites behavioral problems, lax boaters will find they?ve dropped anchor and some serious cash on a rebellious vessel if they don?t pay attention to their craft?s needs. Buying the right boat, learning to maintain it prope While conquering the learning curve takes time, research is part of the fun. The Internet is a fast and inexpensive way to stay on top of the latest features and boating news as well as ownership niceties. On-line discussion groups, forums and dedicated sites act as virtual marinas where boaters gather to share stories, post questions or compare wish lists. Once you?ve drafted your perfect boat on paper or compiled your questions, test the waters at a boat show. Whether they?re in-water events or held in a convention center, they provide the hands-on experience you can?t get from a computer. Compare features, question vendors, negotiate prices and even go for a test-run. Despite the demanding nature of boats, they give back in ways few other vehicles can. Perhaps this is why sailors name their boats, while drivers don?t. Charmian Christie is a travel writer who has sailed the Great Lakes? fresh waters and the salty waves off Australia?s eastern shores. When not out on the deep blue, she?s dry-docked at her desk writing for nautical websites such as boatsforsale.com. Her practical naval advice covers all aspects of boat ownership, including tips for buying a boat online, whether to buy or rent slip space, and news on the latest international boat shows. Permalink: http://expert-talk.com/tips/432/exploring-the-joys-of-boating-278432.htm Related Tips and Advices
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