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Boating is the activity of traveling by boat. In particular, it refers to the recreational use of boats, typically focused on the traveling itself, as opposed to activities just using the boat, such as fishing, waterskiing or sailing. Even so, it encompasses a wide variety of activities, ranging from taking a rowboat on the pond of a city park, to kayaking on the open sea. Boating is an extremely popular activity, and there are millions of boaters worldwide. Sailing is a category of boating that uses wind-powered vessels, while powerboating uses motorized vessels.

The obvious initial requirement for boating is a boat. There is an entire industry devoted to supplying both large and small vessels for boaters. There also is an entire industry devoted to supplying boat loans to people that cannot afford to purchase a vessel outright. Most smaller boats are stored at home and carried to the water on boat trailers, where they are floated from launch ramps leading down into the water. The smallest boats and kayaks may simply be carried by hand or by lashing it to the top of an automobile. Larger boats are kept at marinas, which offer a tie-up protected from the weather and a variety of support services, such as fuel, equipment and so forth.

Most boat trips begin and end in one day, while longer trips are typically called cruises. While other activities may be planned as part of the trip, for many boaters the purpose is simply to enjoy being out on the water; drinking and partying are proverbial as part of the experience.

Being a recreational activity, most boating is done in calm protected waters and during good weather. Even so, conditions can change rapidly, and a small vessel can get into life-threatening difficulties. The coast guards of most nations include boating safety and rescue as part of their charter.

External links

• Boat Owners Association of The United States
• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

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