Summer 2021 Bucket List

During 2020, most people stayed home or gathered with family only. If the year taught us anything it was that we should not take anything for granted. Despite the plunging infection rates here in California, the global pandemic has been a strong reminder that we should make the most of every day -- and live life!

As summer approaches this year, its time to consider things we have been wanting to do, but for some reason haven't yet. We think of this as

our Summer boating "bucket list."
Even with lingering signs that COVID is still around, boating maintains its status as a fun, family-oriented, outdoor, no-mask activity. Having a boat is the ultimate in "vacation on demand." 

Our 2021 Summer Bucket List:

1. Cruise to a New Destination Went we say "new destination," we don't necessarily mean going far away, through rough seas, burning tons of fuel. We simply mean -- think about cruising to the coastal town just beyond the last one you visited up or down the coastline, or heading out to the beautiful Channel Islands or Catalina. Different boat trips like these will boost your confidence and actually improve your skills. A new destination provides new sights, sounds, smells, and an opportunity to be adventurous. Consult a cursing guide or area charts to find a location that will be of interest to you and your boating party. Research the destination in advance -- including marinas, inlets, tides, etc.
2. Work On Docking Skills For even very experienced captains, the most nerve-racking part of a boat cruise is docking at a marina. Very few people like docking a boat. Add in other boats, crowds standing on the dock (usually yelling "helpful" advice), and its really not surprising people are apprehensive about docking. Docking successfully includes remaining calm, confidently performing "close-in maneuvers," and many things that you can practice out in open water where the pressure is reduced (and no one is looking). Prioritize practicing docking maneuvering away from shore. Envision the docking process as you maneuver. Once you are more confident, you can try your practicing at an actual dock.
3. Learn About Your Marine Electronics If you are completely honest, you will admit that you don't really know what every button or feature does on your boat. Now is the time to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the workings of the boat's electronics. Even the most experienced captains have electronics that they never use, or don’t even know are available. You will find that most marine electronics manufacturers have on-line videos explaining the numerous features and functions. Who knows what you might discover that will add to the enjoyment and confidence of boating.
4. Take a Boating Class or Two With the ubiquity of Zoom, Skype, Go-to-Meeting, etc, the availability of on-line courses has never been better, following the COVID pandemic. Organizations such as U.S. Power Squadron and BoatUS great classes for both the more and less experienced captain. The classes teach marine electrical systems, anchoring, cruise-planning, weather, knot tying knots and a myriad of boating topics of interest.​
5. Work on Your Maintenance Skills  When looking for courses you might take, consider classes in boat, engine, and trailer maintenance/repair, painting, or cleaning. Consider a boat repair class and think how great it would be to be able to fix a problem rather than call for a tow back to the marina -- not to even mention the money you will save by taking on more DIY tasks. Despite the complexity of modern boat engines with their computerized systems, there are many tasks boat owners can learn to do themselves. 
   
6. Teach Your Significant Other How to Captain Your Boat Its not uncommon for spouses / significant others of boat owners to say that they don't enjoy boating as much as the primary boat owners do. Perhaps its a husband who automatically takes the helm, and the wife just goes along with whatever he wants. She is probably quietly terrified that if something were to go wrong, she would have no idea what to do to either get assistance, or how to get the boat back safely to its home port. There is a course by The Cruising Club of America called “Safety for Cruising Couples.” The course is designed to make sure that everyone on the boat knows what to do in an emergency -- from taking the helm to requesting help on the VHF radio. Showing interest in your significant other is not only practical, but may have other benefits.
   
7. Just Plan and Take the Ultimate Boating Vacation What kind of bucket list would this be without including taking the boating trip of a lifetime -- THIS SUMMER? Whether it’s cruising through the Channel Islands or Catalina, California to Mexico, or even the Pacific Northwest up to Alaska just do it! If you are unsure about your ability, consider traveling on your own boat with other boaters along in theirs. Organizations like the Salty Dawg Sailing Association organize rallies to destinations which allow boaters to cruise on their own boats, but with a group. Wherever you want to go, you can do a little research on line and find out about a group of other boaters that want to cruise to your desired destination. You only live once!