I've never sailed the ocean, my experience is all fresh-water.

My father's grandfather built a modest summer cottage on Lake Huron just before WWI. I'm the fourth generation to enjoy activities in and above this Great Lake. In those days small motor-boats were rare, the cottagers usually had rowboats and canoes. Often the rowboats were fitted to accept a short mast for sail, useful though slow.

My grandfather was one of the first in the area to own a small sailboat, single mast with mainsail and jib. I experienced the joy of wind-filled canvas and slicing through the waves, and I still love it. He and my dad taught me the basics, the tiller and sheets, tacking and reaching. This was all on boats under 20 feet long, including an old Albacore.

My uncle was an avid sailor, he bought one of the first Lasers and made great use of it. It is a single person craft, hardly practical but lots of fun, and I learned a lot from my time aboard. One of my 'happy places' I go when I'm down is a perfect sail on a perfect afternoon many years ago, just beautiful.

My dad purchased a couple of powerboats, so I learned a bit about outboard care and feeding. These he used for cruising, fishing and scuba diving, while us kids learned how to waterski. Lots of great memories, and some hijinks when my friends and I raced (and partied).

I was lucky to grow up enjoying not fearing the water, so many folks have anxiety about it. But I didn't live near the sea with its challenges.

Fear of water is one of the main reasons people drown. I think if people would remain calm in drowning situations there would be a lot less deaths every year.

Or maybe:

Fear of woman is one of the main reasons men drown


[sorry, a little iffy I know]

My dad swam the channel, so he was not so scared of water as he was of me not letting him get out till he had finished!

Boating is great fun..

I would love to be a seaman!

Nothing better than to grab your trusty rod and once you master the baits you can be sure of catching some fish!!

Very tasty straight out of the ocean that morning..

Drex you're bad man

I had a small sailing boat a long time ago. I was based in Singapore (between rotations into the Borneo jungles) and I bought it with a friend. We had to strip 25 layers of paint off it to get it to float without its submarine qualities. We sailed it on the Straits of Malacca, keeping clear of the hundreds of tankers that clog the sea lanes.

The small islands and inlets were the best playgounds though and many a time we would join a small flotilla that would struggle its way to an island for an overnight hoot and roar. Its amazing how a tiny sailboat can fit two guys and three girls! Virtually every time there were more girls than guys on those overnighters. What beach parties we had.

I wonder if you bumped into Karl up there by the Lake, BT.

I was wondering that too, Percy. After all, there was only a lake between us, and I nearly went to Canada once... in error, having taken a wrong turn. Stuck in damn immigration for three hours, with nowt paperwork... LoL

Well, it is a big lake, my family's place isn't close to the Michigan side, though we do have some Yanks who summer there.

Too bad about the border, since 9-11 things are much stricter. Many here in southern Ontario used to zip across to Buffalo for a day's shopping, I suspect those numbers are way down.

Yeah that sucks. I like canadians and although it is possible for terrorist to get to the states it isn't very likley.The ones that did the damage came here on an airplane and where in flying schools here. So harassing Canadians seems like a waste for the most part.

Chev that was an amazing day. I've never felt closer to or more protective of my American cousins. As you may know, many of the planes that were ordered down ended up here, and I was so proud of how Canadians welcomed and assisted you Yanks in a time of need, like sending personnel and supplies to NYC. The goodwill and sympathy we all felt was inspiring, and seemed to include so many around the world. Sadly, with the invasion of Iraq, much of that was dissipated.

I have an aunt who works in Maryland near the Pentagon, luckily she was in no danger that day.