Yachting is perhaps one of the most relaxing water sports ever invented by men. Imagine the wind in your face, the water splashing against the boat, or the far away horizon that reassures how carefree you have become. Every detail makes the perfect setting for pleasure and relaxation.
Have you wondered what the history behind yachting is? This type of boat has a long historical background, not having been used for pleasure from its very beginnings. Initially, it was launched under the name of “Jacht” by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and attackers of the Low Countries in the 16th century. Only one century later people began to rethink yachting as sport and pleasurable activity. The Brits transformed the “Jacht” vessels and designed boats for the leisurely racing called yachts. This sport became rapidly popular not only in England, but throughout the U.S. as well, where yacht clubs proliferated throughout the 19th and 20th century. The New York Yacht Club won the first regatta - yacht competition - in 1851, being a dominating winner in the America’s Cup competition until 1983.
Nowadays most people associate yachting with the sailing of dinghies, images of large boats or powerful motorized boats. Even if there are five main categories that the motor yachts generally fit into, we will talk about the pleasures of sailing with racing and cruising yachts.
Racing yachts are intrinsically connected to competitive yachting. Among competitive yachting sports, there are sailboat racing, motorboat racing, and other vessel races; the term also refers to the skill and the vessel or equipment contests. You may say it is a sport for the privileged that involves hard work, danger, and a bit of old-time historical romance.
Today’s yacht races, commonly known as “regatta”, take place over different water distances. Smaller races are aggregated and the boat that performs the best is awarded as the overall winner. The competition courses are often triangular and the courses’ lanes are marked by buoys.
Yachting enthusiasts will find delighting and exhilarating both water competitions and the journey of exploring the waters with their cruising yacht. These are the most common yachts in private use and usually have many cabins below deck. Cruising can refer to simply enjoying a one-day holiday sailing across local waters, or a long carefully planned voyage. However, proper maritime safety training is required; it is vital to know how to offer first aid, what is the suitable nutrition on board, how to navigate without instruments, or have general sailing know-how.
This passion for sailing drove many serious yachters to create yachting clubs where they share sea stories, memories, and pictures or videos with the best places to explore sailing across the world. These communities nowadays seem to be a contemporary version of the maritime stories of the old, who used to gather around and talk about their exploring journeys.
Some say that the ability to truly enjoy yachts is similar to the ability to enjoy a fine liqueur, a good cigar, or a well-tuned sports car: it takes a little bit of the refined, passion, and enjoyment. If you are looking for a boating adventure and you happen to be in New Hampshire area, take a moment to check the Freedom Boat Club of Portsmouth, and explore the wonderful waters around!
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