1. You promised SWMBO you would get there
2. You've got kids due at school the next day
3. You're running out of fuel and the fuel barge is about to close
4. It's raining
5. It's about to get dark and you are in lobster pot territory
6. You're on a flash boat and half the population and 3 television stations are waiting for you with a bottle of bubbly and some nice awards
Not very important if:
1. The marina isn't going to have any berths available anyway
2. You're going to arrive after the pubs shut
3. You're going to have to raft out 10 deep next to a stag party with string for warps
4. You're going to drag your anchor and be up half the night anyway
5. You're going to Southampton (oops, a tadge controversial maybe)
Clearly one must leave one's present location if one is going to 'get' elsewhere.
But, as Barry says...where is elsewhere and what is the importance of getting there?
If the objective is to enjoy the experience of being on and handling the boat then a destination is surely of no real importance? If the objective is simply to transport ourselves or others to a specific place then getting there is of the essence.
I venture to suggest that somewhere in these considerations lies the difference between sailing (as in raggie) and motor boating.....
Hmm. My understanding is, there is never ever any fundamental destination, only places that you are hopefull to get to. This workes only in part as you have got to get to some sencible place eventually!! This may change acording to circomstance. Unless on the Thames where it dont matter. But destination is important if wish to feel safe and have water beneath!!
Occasionally I wish I could push the throttles open and whizz along to my destination, such as when the wind drops and I am trying to beat the tidal gate etc.
Never bothered about missing last orders etc. Would rather enjoy the sailing on a sunny afternoon the only noise coming from the waves and the sails.
I can see the pleasure in both, but I feel a little more smug getting there by wind. Like an angler who catches his own dinner, you have to fight for the pleasure. Does that make sense?
That makes total sense.
In the end boating is all about things that are felt inside - put it rationally and nothing makes sense. So, its all about an inner fulfillment.
If the pleasure is in the travelling then the final destination is not important.
If it becomes that important to reach a destination then the method of travelling must be re-assessed.
e.g. if you have to get to Le Havre then take a ferry, plane or just ask Scottie to beam you up or around. If not, get down to the boat and allow a week of two to get there.
The only real danger comes if you fall for the tragic consequences of " carryonitis".
Now that is really profound for this time in the morning. Just hope the post arrives in the office on time.