Boating is wonderful. No matter if it’s a powerboat or a sailboat, just being out on the water is breathtaking. Most sailboats have something in common with powerboats; they have engines…and have the same maintenance. One thing that’s different is that sailboats unlike powerboats don’t have to rely on the engine for travel. So theoretically you can keep going around and around and around the world. We see sailboat races now going way offshore, some from England to Newport, RI…and in size class down to the 20’ range. So if you have a good sailboat, you can virtually go anywhere and use very little fuel. All you need is the proper navigation equipment, charts, and food. I’d personally bring along a fishing pole as well, to do some trolling. I’m not saying you could just go out any day head to let’s say Bermuda from the east coast, you have to watch your weather as well. But as you see on the weather maps of the United States, are weather fronts moving across the United States. You will find that the forecast in your area for the following week might have four or five days…maybe a week of just beautiful sunny weather. This is a good settled time to venture out on those longer journeys! You will find that these fronts run across the United States in waves…some of the weather front waves are close together giving you only a one or two day window of fair weather till the next weather front comes in. Some of these weather fronts can be very severe with high winds and thunder storms! You want to see these weather front waves far apart giving you more settled days of sailing to get where you are going safely.

            This also goes for powerboats and yachts of all sizes. Why go out when bad weather is coming in? Try to plan your boat trip around these settled times between weather fronts. You’ll find that you enjoy your trip that much better and your guests will too. With this settled weather, powerboats save on fuel costs also. When skimming along the surface of the water, running at optimum speed and trim, this gives you the best efficiency which leads to savings. Sometimes on these great days and runs, you hate to get to your destination…you want to continue on cutting thru the water! ….or you just wish your destination was further away.

            Remember, the weather can be your friend or foe. The only fighting I want do is with that fish at the end of my fishing pole.  And Why Knot!

Tags: boat, boating, sailboats, powerboats, sailboat, sailboat races, weather, weather fronts, fuel costs