On The Trail: Big on boats

"We saw an eagle, some dolphins, a manatee and cruised through a mangrove jungle — all in one day."

Exploring the waterways around Marco Island is an adventure waiting to happen. On a beautiful day in Florida, people are naturally drawn to the water. A beach or pool scenario can sometimes be the answer, but the more adventurous prefer a nautical chart, a sturdy deck beneath the feet and 10,000 islands waiting to be explored.

There is an old proverb in maritime circles — The two happiest days in a boat owner's life are: the day the boat is bought and the day it is sold.

But wait a minute — what about the day that inspired the idea of buying a boat in the first place? Was it the perfect day on the water with some friends who had their own boat, or was it that great fishing charter when everyone caught a ton of fish and laughed so hard their stomachs hurt? What about that feeling of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, or was it that old "Indiana Jones" spark of adventure?

Most likely, the final urge to put up the money, take the responsibility and step on deck to take command was a little bit of all of the above. Michigan has more registered boats than any other state and those fair-weather Great Lakes folks have a short boating season. In Southwest Florida, we can ride the waves anytime of year. Just the thought of "getting out there," to many, is the real answer to why we buy boats.

Some call the cleaning, polishing and mechanical maintenance of a boat a labor of love — but I call it work. Time is so precious with rigid schedules, cell phones, keep-in-touch lifestyles, I believe the best answer for adventure on the water is to rent a boat or take a charter. Why prep, polish and clean when you can walk down the dock and just jump on?

Marco Eagle

Exploring the waterways around Marco Island is an adventure waiting to happen.

When the boating day is over and everyone is tired, sun-tanned, salted and ready for a shower, do you really want to wait in line at the boat ramp for your turn to re-trailer your vessel? Or would you like to jump off and wave good-bye to the charter captain or the rental crew?

I say go, play and say good-bye. No worries about fueling, oiling, washing and maintenance — that's for the marina or the charter captain. Or, if you dock your sturdy little prowler of the waves, you might just wake up in the middle of the night with that all-intruding thought — did I remember to tie up the boat?

The choice of renting a boat or hiring a charter is a personal one and should be based on an individual's personal level of expertise. I have been a coast guard-licensed captain for more than 20 years, but whenever I travel to another boating location, I hire a local charter captain first. Local knowledge of the waterways is just that — local knowledge. Nautical charts are often outdated, channel markers are missing or buoys have drifted off station. Sandbars move at an alarming rate, and even with all of our fancy technology, suspect areas on a nautical chart only offer: "Caution, this area subject to continual change."

Marco Eagle

Marco River Marina has something for everyone — a great ship's store with sunglasses, dive watches and other island resort wear.

My advice is to hire a charter first, watch where the skipper goes and ask lots of questions. Then, after a trip or two around the old bay and a ride out to the gulf, most folks on a fair-weather day will feel ready to take command.

Marco River Marina is only one of the many marinas on Marco Island that offer rental boats and fishing and sailing charters. It has a terrific staff that is friendly and approachable. Whether looking for a charter, buying live bait or inquiring about a rental boat, the folks down at the docks will have the right answer. The marina has something for everyone — a great ship's store with sunglasses, dive watches and other island resort wear.

A day at Marco's maritime center is a must.

For many, just a trip down to the docks is an irresistible urge, but for the truly adventurous, the docks are only the beginning.