Editor’s Note: Cruising means many things

John Morris

What kind of boater are you? “Well, I am a cruiser”, is a frequent answer. That means a lot of different things to boaters, depending on their boat, their tastes, their predilection to challenging adventure.

June 7, 2023

What kind of boater are you? “Well, I am a cruiser”, is a frequent answer. That means a lot of different things to boaters, depending on their boat, their tastes, their predilection to challenging adventure.

For some, cruising means we pack up our lives, cast off and head to Polynesia. Will we be back? Maybe?

For a lot of Canucks, the idea is to head to the Greek Islands, or come winter, to BVI, Cabo or Sint Maarten. That’s cruising – a real adventure if you head out in your own boat or a milder adventure if you take up a charter company on a couple of weeks of golden bliss.

Then there’s cruising close to home: Georgian Bay, across the Lake to Erie or out to the Gulf Islands. That can be pretty adventurous, too. The mix of open water and sunny shorelines to explore combines for a not too lazy, but plenty enjoyable break from reality.

The past editor of Pacific Yachting, Paul Burkhart, took me to Bowen Island for just an afternoon many years ago. It was an amazing transition from the urban office to the dock then to nowhere – well not quite. It was the very briefest of cruises, but it worked its magic and I remember it fondly right down to the trees overhanging the dock and the cellophane sandwich toasted on a light bulb (could they still have those?) in the general store.

For many cruising sailors, cruising is a synonym for ‘not racing’ and connotes relaxing during the all too brief Canadian summer. For powerboaters, cruising can mean heading to a beach around the corner and letting the kids have at it with snorkels and masks. IMHO you can even be cruising right at your own dock…just invite a cockpit of friends, shift the settings to boat mode and dig into the picnic basket. Welcome to June! Make some memories.

John Morris
Online Editor

 

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