While at a dinner party recently, I was surrounded by a group of people who wanted to know more about sailing. Apparently, my wife does a good job of sharing our sailing adventures on social media so most of her friends wanted in on the adventurous world of our sailing family.
What struck me as odd was how many misconceptions there were among this group. When I arrived at the party, I was this high-seas adventurer with deep pockets and a risk-taking streak that had me battling sea dragons and bouts with scurvy. Imagine their disappointment when they met the real me.
I did my best to dispel the myths about sailing and my extreme lifestyle. Sailing is a popular and enjoyable activity, but it can also be surrounded by various misconceptions. Here are some common misconceptions about sailing.
SAILING IS EXCLUSIVE, ELITIST, AND EXPENSIVE
Sailing has a reputation for being a hobby for the wealthy, but many sailors come from diverse economic backgrounds. While owning a large yacht or sailboat can be costly, sailing doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. There are smaller, more affordable sailboats available, and joining a sailing club or renting a sailboat for a day can be a budget-friendly way to enjoy the sport. Speaking of clubs, there’s a common misconception that “yacht clubs” are elitist and unwelcoming, but many sailing communities are welcoming and inclusive of people from all walks of life. You don’t need to be an experienced sailor or have a prestigious background to enjoy sailing. I would venture to say that most sailors are looking for more people to sail with them.
SAILING IS COMPLICATED
This may be the most common misconception that I come across. Sailing does not have to be difficult.
