I am lucky enough to have grown up and still live on the water today. Half the time I’ve spent outside has been on some kind of boat. I grew up the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of fishermen, so I’ve spent my fair share of time fishing, too. Every boat is different, every boater is different, and each one has taught me a different lesson. By living the boating lifestyle, I’ve learned to be more carefree, but also more careful. You never know what kind of situation you will find yourself in, but as long as you approach the problem with a positive attitude and some kind of solution to fix it, things will always get better. Here are ten things I learned growing up on boats that I can take back with me on land.
1. It doesn't matter how you get there; you just have to go.
I live on a peninsula with three bodies of water surrounding me. There are always plenty of things to do on the water, like going to waterfront restaurants, concerts, firework shows, or flight shows. Some routes that take 30 minutes by car take only 5 minutes by boat. With so many opportunities on the water, there's no reason not to go out and do something today.
2. There are worse smells than fish.
For some reason, some people cannot stand the smell of fish. To them, I say, have you ever smelled a dead fish? Besides fish, the shallow ends of creeks always have a distinct musty, swamp smell. There's always something that smells worse, but the good news is, there's always something that smells better, too. Now that my nose is immune to these more wretched smells, I can appreciate the better ones, like steamed crabs... sorry, had to wipe the drool off of my mouth.
3. Waves are only made of water.
Waves always have their own patterns and motions. Some do more damage than others. But, it's important to remember that it's only water. If you get drenched, you will eventually dry off.
4. Size doesn’t matter.
My dad will disagree, since he owns a 46' fishing boat, but I don't think size is anything more than a status symbol. A mega yacht can bring someone just as much happiness as a kayak. Boats are just like cars: you can get the biggest, loudest Donzi (or sports car) on the creek (or block), but your dock slip is the same size as everyone else's. In other words, stay humble my friends.
5. Your true friends will always be there for you.
Boaters often travel in packs. If they're not rafted up together, they're all on their way to a place where they can do just that. Boaters are also helpful people. They'll tighten your lines as they go by if it looks like your boat is drifting away from the pier and a storm's coming. They're only one call away from a tow and saving tons of money not having to call the towboat company. And, if you ask nicely, most of them are willing to share their snacks (and beer) they've stashed on board.
6. Always Be Polite.
A few years ago, a company released a commercial where a family was riding in their car, waving to everyone they passed, and everyone just looked at them like they were crazy. Then, the family goes out in their boat and waves to a fellow boater, who waves back. It's definitely an accurate depiction of being on a boat. Everyone really does wave to everyone, even strangers. Everyone (usually) respects the right-of-way rule, too. Everyone is just more polite out on the boat. It sometimes surprises people when you're that polite to them back on land, but they always seem to appreciate it.
7. You can find your way home if you know which way is north.
Compass directions have helped me so much since I've been driving. Out on the water, I used to be able to tell which direction was home by the location of two bridges. Now, I only follow road signs by compass direction--North, East, South, or West-- to find my way home. If I know which direction I need to go, it makes it much easier than trying to follow a gps app on my phone. You'll never be lost if you can figure out at least one direction.
8. Water can solve any problem.
Freshwater hydrates, saltwater helps heal. Water can also help you mentally. Sometimes when I'm stressed out, a paddle around the creek is all I need to ease my mind. I think of my kayak paddles as my mediation for the day. I can ease my thoughts and let my mind wander freely. It's no mystery why we always feel better at the beach.
9. Don’t wait for the storm to pass, get out of there— quick
Sometimes, patience is the best option. However, if you find yourself out on the water and those black clouds are rolling in fast, you better ignore that "no wake" sign and get back to your dock fast. The same goes for your land life. If you see something bad coming in the future, don't wait around for it to show up. Clear out of there and cast off all the possibility of a bad outcome, even if that means cutting ties with a person.
10. People are like a body of water.
Creeks and bays are usually pretty murky. You don't know what's lurking under the surface, unless you regularly dive down there. People are the same. You only see what's on the surface; you never know what is hidden in their depths. With that in mind, always treat people like a body of water: enjoy them, appreciate their existence, but don't pollute them.
