Get Out the Boat

We’ve always wondered why something as relaxing as the holidays should be become such a royal charlie-foxtrot. There’s extra traffic and long lines at airports. Then there’s having to throw-down in the store aisles to get whatever happens to be the gotta-have-it item this year. There’s the ever-present reminder that "thieves Christmas shop too." There are parties to pull off, extra grocery shopping to do, cards to write and send, decorations to put up, and strings of christmas tree lights to troubleshoot. And then there’s the realization that, for a lot of people, the holidays don’t entail any of these things.

So what do you do when it all becomes too much? Go sailing! Clear your head by heading out on the Bay or wherever your home waters are. Instead of tearing out your hair, tear out of the slip. Instead of running around in the holiday morass, let the breeze cool the fever pitch and the boat float your mindset.

Are you lucky enough to have a lot of family and friends around? Maybe non-sailors? Then do them a favor and take ’em out, too — let them burn some holiday calories sweating a halyard.

It doesn’t matter if your boat is fast or slow, new or old. If you’ve got a bit of a break from work or school, spend it on the water. Feel like lounging around? Trade the couch for the settee and the crystal champagne flutes for non-breakable stemware.

If the holiday season is grinding on you, give it a rest. A few hours aboard is all you need to reconnect with the joy.