The Sailor’s Bucket List

I leaped off the front of the catamaran under a star-filled sky in a quiet anchorage off the coast of a tiny island in Anguilla. I had pondered this moment for a lifetime – it was on my bucket list, but a few days into the charter I had yet to do it. I was waiting for a particular moment, and it came to me as I played a board game with my 12-year-old. I set my glass of wine aside, and I told him what I was going to do.

“I am going to walk to the edge of the trampoline and jump into the dark, warm water.” I calmly recited the words to my son, “and you are going to do it with me.”

My son is not fond of jumping off anything. Jumping off into the darkness was not on his list of things to do. It was on mine. To leap with reckless abandon while holding the hand of my child was on my list and I was intent on doing it.

You don’t need the back story as to why I needed to do that, but you might be searching for things that you have always wanted to do. With that in mind, you can add a few of these suggestions to your bucket list of places to go and things to do that involve sailing in one way or another.

What is on your sailing bucket list? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #sailingbucketlist, and we will add a few to this list.

Enjoy!

The Sailor’s Bucket List

Sail a Perini Navi
There is luxury sailing and then there is a Perini Navi. If you have a taste for the good life you might be ready to step up your desire to the “Great Life” that is a Perini Navi. Imagine that you are at the helm of a 50-meter sailing vessel and it feels like you could do it all alone. Perini Navi yachts are designed to make sailing easier even as the systems and size grow. Every aspect of these sailing vessels seems to exist in the world of the sublime. The decor, the construction, and the design are exhibitions in perfection and dedication. From the leather seats in the lounge to the hardwood floors in the staterooms to the decadence that doubles as a galley, this vessel redefines your idea of luxury. While this bucket list item could include owning a Perini Navi it should be understood that purchasing one of these masterpieces would require a multi-million dollar budget. Aim a little lower and get yourself on a charter.

Charter a Boat in the Exumas
Until you see the color of the water up close, you really can’t believe it. The white coral sand below your boat will appear to be within an arm’s length, but realistically it would take a deep breath to dive down to. The temperature of the water is between a warm bath and a refreshing sprinkle. The air smells sweet and the blue sky makes you look younger. All of that and you have not even hoisted a sail to explore one of the 350+ islands that make up this archipelago of Bahamian beauty.

Sail alongside Whales in British Columbia
Right below the Sea To Sky Highway and between Vancouver Island and the Canadian Pacific Coast range lies a body of water that is alive with life and energy that is best explored via sailboat. The white capped mountains frame your view as you move through this majestic landscape. Overhead bald eagles soar like pigeons fly at your local park. Sea life is in abundance in these waters and whales are a common sighting. From the waters around Vancouver to the remote northern parts of Vancouver Island gray whales, humpbacks and Orcas call this area home. Find out more about Cruising in the Pacific Northwest.

Sail and Ski on the Same Day in Lake Tahoe
Ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon. In early spring the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe are still alive with the activity of skiers and snowboarders. Down at the lake, the water may be too cold to swim in but not too cold to sail. Find a boat, take a lesson and get in two activities in one day – check out Sailing Ventures, an ASA Certified Sailing School located in South Lake Tahoe. The crisp mountain air will fill your lungs and the wind will definitely fill your sails. How many people do you know who can sail and ski on the same day?

Find the perfect wind
A sailor can often be described as the simplest of people. Under almost any condition the moment the wind fills the sails there is a feeling of freedom. No matter the setting, once the engine is off and the boat is moving with the power of the wind, perfection is achieved. Your bucket list might include grand escapes and impossible goals, but ultimately, the pure pleasure of wind energy combined with the delicate balance of navigation allows you to arrive at bliss.

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