| Boating and sailing is not only one of the most | | | | in the proper kind of boat. But the kind of boat |
| popular pastimes today, they have been a popular | | | | you own also impacts the kind of storage needs |
| means of transportation, recreation, and | | | | you will have. |
| occupation, for nearly all of recorded history. | | | | Smaller sailing and motor boats may not require |
| Throughout history, boating and sailing has been a | | | | permanent storage space such as a marina. They |
| means for many of mankind's greatest | | | | can often be stored at home and brought to the |
| discoveries, important battles, expansions and | | | | water on a car-towed trailer. Larger boats need |
| migrations, and a source of food and livelihood. | | | | to be moored at marinas where they are |
| While boating and sailing still maintain many of | | | | protected from the elements during the season, |
| those roles today, for most of us boating and | | | | and in areas where the season is not year-round, |
| sailing are a source of recreation, fun, competition, | | | | marinas can remove boats from the water in |
| and relaxation. | | | | order to protect them from damaging ice. |
| Today, boating and sailing provide a source of fun | | | | Those with an interest in boating and sailing must |
| and recreation for millions of people worldwide. | | | | remember to protect more than just their boats. |
| But there is more to recreational boating and | | | | Protection of one's self is perhaps the highest |
| sailing than simply buying a boat and launching it | | | | priority when traveling on the open waters where |
| into the water. In order take the fullest | | | | conditions can change rapidly. Life vests, |
| advantage of all that boating and sailing have to | | | | throwable flotation devices, navigation lights, and |
| offer, it is best to arm oneself with as much | | | | fire extinguishers are but a few of the safety |
| information as possible. | | | | oriented items that must be considered when |
| For those with an interest in boating and sailing | | | | engaging in boating and sailing. Those items, when |
| the most obvious area of interest is the type of | | | | combined with proper instruction in the rules and |
| watercraft that will best suit their needs. Fishing, | | | | laws of the sea, will make boating and sailing a |
| water sports, racing, or simply strolling across the | | | | hobby that is both fun and safe for you, your |
| water; all of these are activities are best enjoyed | | | | family, and friends. |