Yachting Away from Ourselves: A Voyage to Inner Peace

Spring is fast approaching in the Mediterranean area, and yachting is awakening after its winter slumber. Fortunate yacht owners are finishing up their winter maintenance and refitting, readying to navigate their floating playcraft out of the harbour, whilst others are beginning to contact boat chartering agencies and plan their summer voyages. Then there are enthusiasts like myself — deeply passionate — that have never stopped, sailing and racing throughout the winter.

We all know that yachting is a metaphor for life, which, like life, includes its share of contrasts, discussions, and disputes. We've experienced the bitter tase of arguments aboard a boat, and we all know there are valid reasons to avoid them. Although these reasons might seem obvious and perhaps needless to mention, let’s explore them to reinforce our understanding.  

Firstly, we must consider the confined space on a boat, which can make it difficult for people aboard to avoid physical contact during an argument, potentially escalating tensions. On the other hand, the boat can serve as an effective school for tolerance: if you don't get along with your crew mate, there’s no avoiding them — three minutes later, they're back in front of you again, so you might as well learn peaceful coexistence. Boats, especially at sea, can offer a sense of isolation. This isolation can intensify emotions during an argument because there's no opportunity to "step out for fresh air" as there might be in other contexts.

Additionally, and this is a point that encompasses them all, we must take into account onboard safety. Boats are subject to risks and dangers that could be exacerbated by an argument. For example, arguing while sailing or while docking could distract the crew and increase the risk of accidents such as collisions or shipwrecks.

The boat is a very particular microcosm; it's an elsewhere with its own rules, where our "terrestrial self" should avoid embarking, and where we have the opportunity to build and connect with a "sea self" essentially made up of who we are and what we know how to do aboard.

On board, we become what the sea demands, stripped of adornments; the rest should remain ashore. On a yacht, apart from the captain and the owner, there is no other hierarchy; there is solidarity, empathy, and a spirit of collaboration. There is no deference; our credentials and worth are written anew each day while sailing; at sea, what matters is our attitude to navigation. That’s all.

Personally, when I'm on a boat, I observe my crewmates and I realize — as far as I know them — they are different from their land-bound selves. I believe this is something that affects all sailors with a few miles under their belts and what I observe is the gradual liberation of that "terrestrial self" by all of us. As the days go by, the more this liberation becomes apparent.

And it is precisely in this wonderful vacation from ourselves that the essence of sailing lies: a precious opportunity to explore ourselves within.

For many, the boat represents a sanctuary of tranquillity, an island of peace far from the pressures of everyday life. It's a place where time seems to slow down, where the sound of the waves and the wind in the sails cradle thoughts in a gentle embrace. But there is more to a boating vacation than simple relaxation and recreation. For many, sailing means taking an opportunity for deep reflection and inner renewal.

It's a moment of escape from the routine, moving away from our daily lives, far from the frenzy of the cities, finding ourselves in an environment that invites calm and contemplation. The daily routine, with its incessant demands and social commitments, can stifle our authenticity and prevent us from truly connecting with ourselves. On a boat, we distance ourselves from all of this, free our minds, and find space to explore our inner selves. It's a time for slow, unhurried travel that allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience. Navigation cannot have a rigid agenda and provides an opportunity to wander, observe, and absorb the environment around us.

Last but not least is the liberation from social roles. In society, we are often defined by the roles we play: parents, professionals, friends, partners. These roles can become cages that imprison us, preventing us from freely expressing who we truly are beyond others' expectations. On a boat, all social roles are set aside. It doesn't matter who you are in the outside world; what matters is your authenticity and your ability to adapt and navigate with the forces of nature. Freed from the constraints of social roles, space opens up to explore new parts of yourself, to embrace one's individuality, and to rediscover a sense of inner freedom.

And this lack of social titles is one of the turning points: on a boat, everyone is involved, all are equal. Everyone agrees to do their part with humility and serenity; consistency will not be built through academic titles or societal status.

A well-executed mooring, a neatly folded sail at the end of the day, and a tidy deck will all contribute to the shaping of a "sailor self", replacing the many "superfluous selves".