For many hardcore recreational boaters there is a feeling they have during the colder months that can be described as "boater's winter itch." Boating is an expensive hobby so many boating enthusiasts become obsessed in the warmer months with using the boat as much as possible.

Most sailors I know can relate to examining the apparent wind conditions nearly every time we pass a window, especially while at work. In my last job I had a window next to my desk and it was actually distressing to be stuck inside when I noticed that the conditions were perfect for sailing. On days when there is enough wind this is when we try to find some way to get out on the boat. Many sailors hold onto vacation time for days where there is wind worth giving up the days for.

The "boater's winter itch" feeling is something like the lull felt after the Christmas season. On Tuesday, DeBoater's Winter Itch

For many hardcore recreational boaters there is a feeling they have during the colder months that can be described as "boater's winter itch." Boating is an expensive hobby, so many boating enthusiasts become obsessed in the warmer months with using the boat as much as possible.

Most sailors I know can relate to examining the apparent wind conditions nearly every time we pass a window, especially while at work. In my last job, I had a window next to my desk and it was actually distressing to be stuck inside when I noticed that the conditions were perfect for sailing. On days when there is enough wind, this is when we try to find some way to get out on the boat. Many sailors hold onto vacation time for days where there is wind worth giving up the days for.

The "boater's winter itch" feeling is something like the lull felt after the Christmas season. On Tuesday, Dec. 27 after nearly two months of festivities and listening to the constant drum of Christmas music at work, in the supermarket, at the malls, and on many major radio stations, there was the start of the abrupt closing to the constant holiday rush. I got in my car to go to work and felt anxious that there was no Christmas music to turn on. This is kind of like the feeling that many boaters have when they take the boat out of the water for the winter.

Unless one has a boat on a trailer, so that you can easily pop the boat in the water on the few nice days in the winter, other boaters are kind of stuck. Some members at local boat clubs look for excuses to get out on the water when they cannot use their boat. This year, I saw a few people at Sagamore Yacht Club willingly help the dockmaster with some final projects of the boating season who normally would not. I could sense that they were partially helping just to be out on the water.

This year, I let John McGrane at Oyster Bay Marine Center put shrink wrap on my boat for the first time. Actually having the boat wrapped has kind of eased my anxiety because I have minimal access to the boat. This means that I do not have to check on the boat as often as I normally would. I can relax about making sure that the rain, snow, or icing conditions do not affect the boat because they easily slide off the smooth surface of the bubble around the boat.

Having the boat completely closed up for the winter has allowed me to accept that the boat is fine and this has forced me to fill up my time with other things. I have found more time to focus on projects around the house. My husband is thrilled that I have reduced many of the piles of paperwork that I tend to put off filing until after the boat is dry-docked for the winter. I have also found some time to read a book and visit with friends out of state who I do not get to see too much during the summer. In the summer, like many boaters, I am obsessed with being out on the water. It truly is relaxing to be on my boat. It is like my own little island that I can quickly get to. One of my friends even considers his boat a home with waterfront property.

For some the "boater's winter itch" can influence having a few cocktails while sitting in the boat (in the driveway or dock) and dreaming about the next trip. Some people I know also wind up building the beer belly at the local pub this time of year to release the tension. Others will spend the winter months perpetually boat shopping, even to the point of looking at boats that they have absolutely no means or intention of buying. A few will do this just to find some accessory (also a toy) to put energy into until they can begin to use the boat again.

For more information about boating please contact me at 922-0555 or JaimeVanDyke@gmail.com. Please also visit www.sagamoreyc.com or look up SagamoreRacing on Yahoo!Groups on the web.