Blog Book of The m/v Bel Sito: Love

Now we're through the intensity of our urban stops along this journey to Nantucket and the real 'cruise' part of cruising begins. To quote a 6-year-old I know: That's what I'm talking about.

The overnight in Oyster Bay, kayaking around the next morning, and the easy pace to our next stop, Port Jefferson, NY was about as idyllic as it gets.

So, I've been thinking about love.

First, comes the actual physical attraction; then the getting-to-know-you phase. Not all attractions turn into love. Some are deeply forbidden, out-of-reach, or merely surface. And it can take awhile before love settles in but when it does, it feels right even if a little high maintenance. When the relationship fully blossoms, resources are re-allocated and our priorities shift dramatically.

Lest you think I'm talking about love between two people, I'm talking about boats.

Now, it's taken me awhile to get the fact that people really can love their boats. I witnessed it long before experiencing same. After all, I can love kayaking without loving the kayak.

But it happened for me last Saturday night when we came back from a long day in Manhattan and approached our awaiting Bel Sito.

Bel Sito with the Manhattan skyline in the background

Pow. I fell in love. Just like that. Richard and I had the exact same feeling that night. We had crossed the threshold of really liking to loving our boat. Every nook and cranny now feels like we're home.

Gosh, this must sound so goofy to those of you who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, but the rest of you boaters probably do.

We have friends who are boatless but searching the maritime equivalent of Match.Com otherwise known as Yachtworld.com. It's the site where dreams begin...the hopeful search by size, weight, coloring, age and engine hours. Photos help.

By the way, Richard calls yachtworld.com "Annapolis porn".

Men especially really love their boats. Some advice for women: don't think for one minute that you can pretend to like boating then once your married say, 'uh, I was just kidding.' Any boating priest would declare an immediate annulment. And do not make your man chose between you and the boat, unless you want out of the relationship.

There is a reason why 'My Mistress' is a popular boat name.

I better stop the analogies here...certainly don't want to debate the merits of renting versus owning.