Every so often, I have written columns about why Oyster Bay and its proximity near the sea are so special. Last summer I wrote about "summer memories" on the water. I had a few requests recently to write something similar again with quotes from local boaters.

I asked my family, friends, and colleagues to sum up why they love boating. Receiving their comments got me thinking about why I am such a "boataholic (??)." If you have read my column before or know me, you know that I love being near the water. I love boating because it relaxes me. Except the times when a powerboat creates a big wake in my path while I am under sail power, I truly enjoy every other moment near the water. I love increasing my boating skills, learning about anything related to the marine realm, and caring for the environment we are so lucky to have here. I also have an extended family from the people I met through Sagamore Yacht Club. It is like we have a community within our greater Oyster Bay community that has a lot of fun and is also supportive of one another.

Bob Berlin of Mill Neck had been unable to use his boat recently. He kidded with me the other day that he still loves boating even though he had to pay his bill at the marina without getting to use the boat. Although one might not be able to get out on a boat, boating can be a fantastic sensation that can really comfort us during all the ups and downs in life.

The following are some other great reasons people provided me about why they love boating. It is easy to see from their comments why boating is so cherished by so many people.

"With any boat, one can get away from the pressures of email and the telephone. With a sailboat, you can become one with nature, and if the wind kicks up, there's even a chance for excitement."

- Jack Williams, Centre Island

"When I am out on the water, I am living in the moment, in a much smaller and less busy world, focused on the sun, the sea, and the people with me. Everything else is left at the dock."

- Alex Wolff, Jericho

"Dorothy and I have been boating together since we were teenagers. One summer in the past 40 years we were boatless and it was the summer of our discontent. Boating was a big part of raising our family of four and it has stuck with them. One of our daughters has been involved in boating both commercially and for recreation. Two daughters are ardent kayakers and our son is a yacht broker and serious sailboat racer. The apples have not fallen far from the tree."

- Bill Titus, Locust Valley

"Boating is a way to get one step closer to nature, but be careful because mother nature's always captain of the seas."

- Captain Erin Van Dyke, Kauai, Hawaii

"Boating is my therapy. How can I possibly escape from all the pressures of my daily life, but with the simple turn of the key and thrust of the throttle; then, away go all those cares and worries. And what could be better than going to the middle of the Sound and jumping in? Oh, for those moments of freedom!"

- Tom Ryan, Glen Head

"I love the connection I feel to nature, the warmth of the sun, cool breezes, birds diving for fish, swans with their babies, the monarch butterfly fluttering overhead; and the peace that accompanies that."

- Lisa Pinuelo, Massapequa

For more information about boating, environmental matters, and other water-related activities throughout the Oyster Bay area you can email the author at Jaime.VanDyke@gmail.com or reach her at (516) 946-9464.