Bike and kayak from your boat

Tech special

When chatting to a friend, whose husband has a small yacht, we were comparing the pros and cons of motorboats and yachts. I thought she summed it up perfectly when she said ruefully, “In a motorboat, you get there”.

My father had a couple of small yachts, which I learned to sail as a boy. But I switched to kayaking at 15, because it was the only boat I could afford. That was in 1962, and I’ve kayaked ever since – and loved every minute.

My first boat

So, why did I buy my first ‘big’ boat in 2005? Two reasons: I could finally afford to do so, and I wanted ‘to get there’. I like the motion of a boat, and I love the sea, but I find a yacht just too slow and complicated. I like the simple ‘press and go’ approach. Jump in, turn the key, and you’re off.

BUT, and it’s a big BUT. It’s not exactly a very active pursuit. Not a lot different from a car to be honest, and it horrifies me to see folks out for a Sunday afternoon drive, just to drink coffee, and scoff