On Sun, 14 Mar 2004 05:56:07 +0000, O:P) wrote:

I am playing with the idea of a boat. I'm new to boating. What would you folks
recommend, power or sail? Do I need extra skills for sail boats? One more
question, do I need a license? and if yes, where do I get it? I'm in Toronto.

Other people have responded with Good Stuff for your case, so I'll just comment
on sail vs power in general.

Otn is right about the "skills": 90% of the skills you need on a boat are
independant of how it's powered (ie rules of the road, docking, "weather-eye").
The impression is that sailboats are more difficult, so most people take
courses, etc. while many first-time powerboaters just get in and turn the key.
Bad Idea.

Concerning Sail vs Power, I'd separate it into 3 categories rather than 2:
Sailboats, Trawlers, and Planing powerboats. Trawlers have the most room per ft
of length, but I was in a 32ft Searay ("planing") at the Vanc. Boat Show and it
was VERY cramped for a 32-footer. I'd say sailboats tend to have more room than
planing powerboats. It's "different" room: lots of room in the cockpit for
entertaining, not much hanging-locker space.

Planing powerboats also cost a LOT of money: initially, operating, and
maintenance. You have to overhaul those big engines every 4 yrs of so. And we
won't MENTION the fuel consumption! OTOH, if you like to get to faraway places
in a hurry, or Impress the Chix, they're the way to go.

Trawlers and Sailboats are very similar in that you take your time to get
places. Trawlers tend to be steered from inside, so they are warmer and drier,
while sailboats get you more "into" nature and the elements. The line merges
quite a bit, though: pretty much all sailboats have an engine, and go almost as
fast as a trawler under power. Many sailboats have canvas to partially or fully
enclose the cockpit in inclement weather.

I looked briefly at planing powerboats, decided I couldn't live with the fuel
consumption for a boat big enough to weather Georgia Strait, then looked at
trawlers, and settled on putting a bigger engine in my sailboat. "Problem
Solved!"

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36